The founding fathers knew what they were doing when they separated church and state - it was for the protection of all religious liberties. Religion is not removed from public places only state or federal property - so that statement is deceiving :)

"It is ok to do away with "religious folk" but quite necessary to remove all fabric of the very religion(s) that many people choose to envelope themselves in?"
Not quite sure what you are asking me there. Sorry.

Freedom of speech to attack ideas or beliefs - otherwise we would never progress but not the freedom of speech to attack the person in a violent manner like the Phelps do - there is a big difference.

Cult or religion? Where do you draw the line? All of the major religions today started out as cults. Phelps accurately, albeit selectively, quotes scripture to back up his views.

"Deaths in the Bible. God - 2,270,365
not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the
many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers
were given. Satan - 10."