[quote=So Boerd]
We could always make this a discussion of sonething controversial. For example, the Arabs had stolen Judea from the Christians. In effect, they started the religious wars and the Christians were retaliating. Why do we not equally vilify the conquests of the Rashidun or the subsequent caliphates?
[/quote]

You just said the Middle-Easterners stole Middle Eastern lands from European invaders-though they actually did take form Middle Eastern Christians as well. And many of the Christians from the Jews. And many of the Jews from other Jews, who took from the Canaanites... how far back to you want to go with this?

On the OP matter-a LOT of people in the US actively seek out a conjunction of Church and State (so long as it is their denomination). Myself, my stance on government is anarchistic, anyways.