As a Christian, I agree with Eugene Peterson. All religion is evil. It is driven both by fear and by a mysterious void in the human soul that must draw in purpose and guiding doctrines. Without such things the only question left to answer is, "To be or not to be."
Of course I am not classifying Christianity as a religion in that statement. Many have tried to make it one, but in doing so have rejected its very foundational principles. Satan operates under the guise of religion to attempt to destroy Christians, Jews, and truth. (Can you logically explain the world's present and historical hatred and persecution of Jews and Christians or fierce debate over truth?)
More specifically to your question, "Should religion be allowed/tolerated in the Governmental and Political process?", yes and no. The majority of founders of this nation were Christians and intended for this nation's people and government to be guided by Christian moral principles. One of those principles was religious freedom and self-determination. The combination of Christian moral principles with vast freedoms is as close to a perfect government one could hope for. This freedom also allows us to reject God and his principles as this nation is gradually doing.
In the 4th century A.D., I believe, Constantine tried to force Christianity on Rome mandating that everyone believe in Christ and the consequences were disastrous. Eventually, the pope gained corrupting political power and Christian doctrines were destroyed resulting in removal of freedoms (even the freedom to read the Bible), persecutions, crusades, and other atrocities. The Catholic church still suffers from this addition of "religion" to the faith.
Moral principles, however, can never be divorced from God's authority. Without the authority of God's word, our principles are subject to our own subjective determination. Anarchy quickly followed by tyranny is the inevitable result (as proven by history).
Although there's certainly nothing wrong or unconstitutional about Christian men seeking God's guidance in our government, or including references to God or his ten commandments in our government or public schools, in fact our founding fathers encouraged it and hoped for its continuity, if a majority of people in America now decide to remove God or simply do not care, there are only the fading voices of wisdom from the our forefathers left to discourage it. It is up to the people to either vote God in or vote God out of our Government.
"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings to search out a matter." Proverbs 25:2
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