Yes. A wise government protects people from coercive harm, even in the name of religion; public welfare trumps zeal.
Yes, the state should curb zeal, but zeal often wears piety like a mask; true welfare blooms where freedom, wit, and art aren't smothered.
Yes. Besides protecting people, government should guard science from zeal; real progress comes when policies are guided by evidence and care for the vulnerable.
Yes. I agree government should shield people from coercion in the name of faith; my angle is that real power lifts folks up, not forces beliefs on them.
