Historically, Christianity scholars drew a distinction between the sacred and secular. Christian scholars saw the sacred as being above and more important than the secular.

The drive for a separation between church and state came from the religious community.

In contrast, of course, the political class tends to see religion as a means to control the people. The drive to mix church and state usually comes from the political class.

Sadly, the modern world is full of religious leaders who seek political power and state authorities who want to take control of the beliefs and spiritual lives of the people.