Religion, from the Latin, religio, means, simply, 'laying back' or 'restraint' of human action or human behavior.
The practice of self-control is the practice of 'religion', whether motivation or reason derives from belief in the existence of an invisible divine authority, or simply because self-control is a practical way to avoid conflict and stay out of trouble.
Religion, then, is not brick and mortar, and not a business. When institutions of religious beliefs and practices (predicated on the existence of invisible divine authority) became businesses, they unwittingly injected themselves into the struggle for power and control to influence or affect the business affairs of the state, in direct competition and conflict with the state, to control movement, action and labor of the human animal.
In retrospect, it was perception of this conflict of interest that led to the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Christ. Christ did not start a business, nor did he repudiate business or riches. He praised business through His parable of the talents. He simply stated and taught that there was more to life than trade of material possessions, the engine for business, and material riches.
This classic, interminable and confrontational competition, and conflict of interest, is the most powerful reason that 'government', or 'state', must be bound to "...make no law respecting an establishment of religion (like prayer), or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." (From Article I of the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States.)
This Amendment to the U.S. Constitution dictates that government or the state remain totally and completely silent on matters dealing with faith and morals.
Laws in the United States that previously outlawed abortion were the consequence of religious 'faith and morals' influence. When those laws were subsequently overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court by the Roe vs Wade decision, they were influenced by godless socialism - placing the state into a "damned if you do, and damned if you don't", condition - creating a social monstrosity issue.
Now that the godless-socialist-state (that the United States has become) insists on using taxpayer dollars to assume payment of the medical bills of all of its citizens, from cradle to grave (socialism of the medical profession), it has driven itself to intervene, control, and subsequently destroy, what used to be the private practice of the medical profession, the private insurance industry, the private pensions system, the tobacco industry, the institution of marriage and the private family, and the ability of the wage-income earner to buy and pay for a home during the 49 working years (now 21 through 70) of a stastically available mortal lifetime.
If the godless-socialist-state (that the United States has become) seriously wants to extricate itself from the social monstrosites that it has created, it should abide by original requirement of Article I of the U.S. Constitution, and proceed to abolish all laws for or against abortion, and return to the citizen (who is not a 'consumer' by choice), the freedom, independence and responsibility of the individual, to govern or manage his own private affairs - including those that require medical care, insurance and pensions.
Under the influence of the atheist-socialist welfare state mentality, this can't be done - After all - (according to Socrates) - the individual is no different or better than a 'dog'.
If the godless-socialist-state (that the United States has become) seriously wants to extricate itself from the social monstrosites that it has created, and truly wants to support 'family values', it should transfer its propaganda against tobacco and the tobacco industry to propaganda against homosexuality that is the greatest threat to 'family values' and the institution of marriage of one man to one woman for the sole purpose of bringing new life into mortal existence.
Even at age fourteen, during World War II, everyone knew that adultery and illicit copulation between members of the same or opposite genders was the cause of 'syphilis' and 'gonorrhea', or 'clap'. We also knew then that smoking and nicotine was addictive, but World War II was won by 'smokers' and 'straights'.
The ancient admonition against adultery, between members of the same or opposite genders, is as valid today as it was before Abraham, and in the time of Moses when he introduced that admonition to the Hebrew 'rabble' he rescued from their captivity under the Egyptian Pharaos.
AIDS is not an accident. AIDS is not the will of God. AIDS is the consequence of adultery and illicit copulation between members of the same or opposite genders. AIDS is solely a consequence of violation of the Sixth Commandment - one of the famous Ten introduced by Moses (the first and original Giver or Legislator of Laws for mortals under one God, not a storybook family of Gods).