The concern 200 years ago was that one denomination would receive governmental backing, as the Anglican church did in Virginia and other colonies before the Revolutionary War, with all people forced to support it financially whether they agreed with that theology or not. This was what "establishment of religion" meant to the generation that rose up against British tyranny.
Only in recent decades have strict separationists twisted the First Amendment to impose gag rules on Christian leaders in government buildings or social service centers.
And yet, the World War II saying is still relevant: "There are no atheists in foxholes or rubber rafts." As Katrina has placed hundreds of thousands in rubber rafts, those hostile to religion have been quiet. Some journalists have even uttered words of admiration.
Orlando Sentinel columnist Lauren Ritchie examined a church-led Katrina relief effort northwest of her city and concluded, "You ROCK, Lake County. ... You stepped forward. Actually, you ran forward, trampling anything in the way, your hands filled with offerings of cash, food, clothing and furniture. You left First Baptist Church of Leesburg scrambling to take the donations."
Scrambling ... and that's how it should be. Advertising posters for Dirty Harry proclaimed, concerning the Clint Eastwood character, "You don't assign him to murder cases ... you just turn him loose." Christians, turned loose, are doing well so far, through God's grace.