When the country was founded many states had requirements that anyone connected to the government had to be also connected to a religious faith. That faith was spelled out as Quaker, Episcopalian, etc.... Some states even wondered if they wanted to join in this thing known as 'The United States' because did they really want to unite with them totally? Or would a Confederation be better?

But what consisted of the Federal government decided to not play that game so for the Feds freedom of religion or from religion or whatever was the way they decided to go forward. Sending folks to DC? They can leave their brand of religion at the city limits since the Federal government was all business.

Not to say that leadership from religion was frowned upon. When you have something that works you are crazy not to stick with it, but even though a number of religious leaders fought to have their brand of religion made the main one Jefferson told them all to forget it. The US had just fought a war to get rid of the King and his Church of England's power. If you wanted to continue to attend the Church of England that was up to you, but the King stuff was gone and not coming back regardless of your religions thoughts.

Just because a government meeting opens with a prayer is not an endorsement of a religion. Our town, as well as many others, opens city council meetings with a prayer because they always have. If you were to suggest they were endorsing religion they would think you were nuts.