The American religious muddle 

The First Amendment famously guards against a government "establishment of religion," while simultaneously protecting "the free exercise thereof." But it says nothing about private religious biases, which are widespread and play an interesting political role in modern America. Anti-Muslim bias, and anti-anti-Muslim bias, have been all over the news. Only about three weeks ago, Islamic State-inspired terrorists slaughtered 14 Americans in San Bernardino, an attack that followed hot on the heels

The First Amendment famously guards against a government "establishment of religion," while simultaneously protecting "the free exercise thereof." But it says nothing about private religious biases, which are widespread and play an interesting political role in modern America. Anti-Muslim bias, and anti-anti-Muslim bias, have been all over the news. Only about three weeks ago, Islamic State-inspired terrorists slaughtered 14 Americans in San Bernardino, an attack that followed hot on the heels…