Religion and Government:Strange Bedfellows

I must preface this post with the fact that I am a Christian. I was raised Catholic and although I attend baptist church services more regularly than mass, I am currently observing lent.
The issue of religion and God playing a central role in governing our country has recently arisen thanks in part by statements made by former senator Rick Santorum. The former senator disagrees with the separation of church and state. So if religion is to be used to govern the country, which one should it be? Since Christianity is the most common religion in America should one assume that would be the religion of choice? Or should it be the practicing religion of the commander and chief? Whatever that may be. Do we expect Jews, Muslims and atheists to follow along with rules that have a christian basis and possible bias? And if the situation was reversed, would Christians be willing to do the same? How can people of one religion so blindly believe that theirs is the better one or the only one that will lead you to heaven or eternal life? Whatever that may mean to you.
This issue lead me to a conversation I had with a friend almost ten years ago that was living in Eastern Europe at the time. We were discussing whether people in society need religion in order to do the right thing. To lead a good and moral life. I believed that the fear of going to hell kept people from doing wrong, committing crimes and just plain being evil. I also believed the opposite was true. That believing in a peaceful afterlife in heaven drives people to make the right choices and live a good life. Therefore, don't we need religion to live in a structured and civilized society? Without it wouldn't there be chaos and crimes if the criminal had no fear of  hell and no one (a God) to answer to? This is what I was taught by my church and by society on a whole and I never questioned it until our conversation.
He brought to light the fact that in many countries with no strong ties to any God or religion such as Japan, there is far less crime than in those that do. Japan has the largest number of atheists in the world but has the lowest murder rate while the United States has the largest number of Christians in the world and  has the highest murder rate. The state of Louisiana has the highest church attendance rate but has twice the national average murder rate.
In  2008 a study was published in the Journal of Religion and Society which showed that secular societies have lower rates of violence than in those countries where most people profess a belief in God. Countries such as Britain, Norway and Germany have lower crime rates including murder rates than the United States. So why do certain people push so hard to have religion a part of our laws and government?
In the end, I do not believe that any person needs religion or to have a belief in a certain God to know right from wrong. I believe it is innate in most human beings. Religion does not equal morals. I believe religion is very divisive in our country and the world. But I also believe in religious freedom as a right in this country.
Due to all of the above, lets keep the separation of church and state.That's what the forefathers intended 236 years ago and I think it still works for today.
Thoughts?