thanks for your civil reply!
My question, though, was- what if a politician promotes his/her religious beliefs into the public sector if those beliefs counter yours?  What if that person's interpretation is totally opposite yours, but used to promote some law?
Wouldn't having less govt in your life include the freedom to choose adult indulgences- alcohol or marijuana, as one desires?  
I am neither anti-religion nor a zealot.  I do believe that we all should embrace the Golden Rule instead of the Golden Tower.  
Re atheists, I believe they want laws & codes of conduct to be based on standards outside of religion.  If one defers to their view / belief in god to justify acts of violence and discrimination, then doesn't it become 'gods fault' and not the human's?   A few years back, Rev Hagee, a prominent Protestant TX-based preacher who was well connected to the Republican Party, stated "Hitler was god's hunter; sent to hunt the Jews..."  By that account, Hitler was serving god!??