The American debate over homosexuality reveals an unquestionable, if terribly unsolicited, fusion of religion and politics, revealing a dangerous lack of separation between church and state. The concern is not about the presence of spirituality in American politics, but about the implications that institutionalized religion has on the lives and rights of human beings. Nothing hinders the political and social progress of lesbian women and gay men like the complexities of religion. Dating back to the dawn of literature itself, homosexuality is anything but modern. Nonetheless, homosexuality is currently the most controversial and fiercely debated topic in recent religious discourse. While most Christians remain faithful to labeling same-sex relationships as morally wrong, the church is dramatically divided over the right place for gays and lesbians in American society and, of course, in American politics. Homosexuality has existed since the beginning of recorded human history and yet, attitudes towards gay and lesbian people vary greatly. Some societies tolerate them; others welcome and encourage them openly; and they openly condemn them (Bates, 46). Throughout our country's history, homosexuals have been misunderstood and discriminated against, leading many to acquire an irrational fear of gays and lesbians. Known as homophobia, this fear has caused heterosexual individuals to feel a feeling of superiority and authority when they use the word "homosexual" interchangeably with the words pervert, fagot, sodomite, and so on. Homophobes generally perceive homosexuality as a threat to society. Nonetheless, the gay rights movement has made impressive progress since 1973, when the American Psychological Association (APA) eradicated...... half of the document ......and underestimated the influence that religion has on American politics. According to opinion polls, at least 40% of voters support a literal interpretation of the Bible and therefore 40% of voters are conservative Christians. Wald and Calhoun-Brown reveal that the Christian right is “closely allied with the Republican Party” (206). “Secret campaigns” (219), led by committees hiding behind soft names like “Focus on the Family,” ultimately seek to eliminate same-sex marriage, women's rights, and more. For example, while Concerned Women for America appears to be a women's rights organization, the 500,000-member committee focuses primarily on lobbying on antigay and prolife legislation. Along the same lines, Focus on the Family (founded in 1981 by James Dobson) and Traditional Values ​​​​Coalition (formed in 1989 by Pat Robertson) are also supporters of the anti-gay movement..