The first National Prayer Breakfast was held in 1953, during a time when “civil religion” was on the upswing in America. President Dwight D. Eisenhower attended, and since then, every U.S. president has been at the event and usually speaks.

Even for those of us who know how vital church-state separation is, it isn’t always easy to find the words to express why, or to make the case to others about why they should care. The National Advocacy Summit will help.

The National Prayer Breakfast is an anachronism. It’s also beyond reforming. After yesterday’s travesty, the best thing to do is shut it down.