“Why does it [government] always crucify Christ, and excommunicate Copernicus and Luther, and pronounce Washington and Franklin rebels?”

Hey Henry - because we have the Establishment clause in our First Amendment to the Constitution.

Hey anonymous, you are a bigoted and ignorant fool. The establishment clause you refer to reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;" Why are you not so animate about the occupying statist theocracy that now infests this land (an atheistic socialism) being the establishment of religion that it is ? Said occupying statist theocracy truly qualifies as an establishment of religion (as evidenced by the welfare state, mandated tithes and offerings under a myriad of names, ruling on religious ordinances such as marriage, religious dogmas on stopping pro-creation, legislating baby sacrifice, etc., etc., etc. and allowing no free exercise of anything else). Your knee jerk reaction speaks volumes to your religious beliefs and your hatred to all that may oppose it. The crucifixion of Christ, most specifically for his personally pronounced doctrines and pronouncing Washington and Franklin rebels are because they are in harmony illuminating the law that brings about prosperity, justice and the protection of man's inalienable rights.

For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. Long live the Republic. and our Doctrines of Liberty and freedom from the law of oppression and death. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. Doctrines of godliness. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. Gifts unto men, Liberty and Freedom. If we deny him, he also will deny us !

Why? Simple: because they have challenged the oppressors, exposed their lies, and are in open rebellion with the dictates and dogma of the State (empire, kingdom, etc.)