Religion in Government

goodness me, where to start. you'll just have to bear with me while i try to wade in here.i know this might be a little irelevant to you, but i want to put what i say into context.
i'm from london, UK, i'm a geology student, and the very idea of religion in government wracks me with terror.i have looked at some of the other threads on this board, (particularly relating to the age of the earth and isotope dating etc) and i have to say that some of what has been said makes me want to scream. no, seriously.
i really dont want to offend anyone (iv'e honestly got better things to do with my time) but some of the arguments that are put forward in support of creationism and in contradiction to scientific 'proof' just make me want to grip their ears, look deep into their eyes and search for signs of intelligent life. ignorance is no excuse in this day and age in the western world.some of the posts which tried to counter evolutionism etc, were nothing more than the product of institutionalised ignorance on a international scale.but back to the matter of religion in government:for starters i believe that religion should be wholey and completely and irrevocably and forever-set-in-stone separated from government.i am not against religion per se. in fact i think that if religion was just about giving your life structure, and a moral code and comfort in times of need then it could be a force for good.
but it's not.
it's just another form of control.
religion came about because people were scared of what they didn't understand. they needed something to explain the lightening and the sun so they made up gods and spirits to get them thtough the day. fair enough but...i honestly think the human race should have outgrown it's need for religion by now.
you can be a good moral, decent person without all the mumbo-jumbo that goes with it.and the very idea that the government, an institution designed for and charged with our safety, education, ammenities and nuclear missiles!! ahould be governed by people who have their eyes fixed on the heavens and thier noses in a book writen (and re-writen and re-writen) by falible humans thousands of years ago...is terrifying.
truly truly terifying.and government is charged with the wellbeing of all the people in its borders, whatver their race or religion. surely those who are not of the same religion as their ministers and leaders will feel that their interests are not being fully looked after.
you cannot have a secular government with one overriding religious agenda.i'm not going to go into the many problems with president bush (i haven't got enough time to type all night), but the fact that he is clearly a very strong christian and that he's beliefs clearly influence the choices he makes in power, is a major problem. for some reason the States looks to be getting more and more mired in christianity and it looks to be working it's way insidiously into government and the rule of law.it's just not like that in britain. we are very much a secular nation. there is no mention of god on our money and he isn't evoked to support wars. steps are being taken to remove the 'so help me god' form the oath in the justice courts which i think is fantastic.
religion has been relegated to a minor role in this country.
people are free to belive what they want, and know that they wont be penalised by the law of the land for their beliefs.i do have quite a few christain friends and as you can imagine we have quite lively debates! but i respect their right to believe what they like as long as they don't force it upon me."I disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it."
- Voltairethat is what democracy is all about. freedom.religion and government are like oil and water and anyone who attempts to mix the two is a dangerous fool.