Theocracy?

If the Democrats' use of filibustering aren't motivated by intolerance for religious views, why do they keep accusing conservatives of wanting a theocracy, and that separation of church and state justifies their blocking the president's nominees from even coming to the floor for a vote. It's as if they think that if too many religious people get elected, we should dump democracy.

Update: Michael Barone's latest column examines the theocracy claims and finds the issue a "silly question." I think that most religious people understand why government and religion shouldn't mix, but they also don't see why their beliefs shouldn't inform their votes. What is the difference between radical environmentalism and a church? Environmental groups are every bit as dogmatic and intolerant as any member of the Moral Majority, yet they have their own cabinet post. They even use the rhetoric of religion. A lot of pacifists are motivated by a strange faith in the good will of people like Stalin and Saddam Hussein. They believe that if we disarm, our enemies will see our good will and lay their weapons down, too. If that's not a faith-based assumption, I'd like to see the proof. Their utopia is right out of Isaiah, the lamb and the lion.

Religion is important because it teachs respect for the law, in most cases, and values that support civilization, like honesty, the work ethic, temperance, tolerance of others' views, sexual purity, etc. You can find examples where that isn't true, but they are a tiny minority. The LDS Articles of Faith are a perfect example. They mention punishment for sins, obedience, repentance, religious tolerance, "being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law," honest, true, chastity, benevolence, virtue, service to others, hope, endurance, etc.

The problems come when religious people support laws that others find too restrictive, such as prohibiting abortions, prohibition of alcohol, prohibition of pornography, etc., but these positions aren't necessarily motivated by religion alone. They also reflect a desire for a healthy society, one which values life, children, safety, responsibility and rights. Martin Luther King was a pastor, and it was his position as a religious leader that gave him credibility.