Statism, the dominant religion?

In God We Trust, or so the inscription states on currency in America.  But exactly which "god" is that?  I have increasing wondering on this point.  As I am very, very late to the party, I simply need to reference works for others.

A recent news article prompted these thoughts.  An article simply titled Statism from some time ago, written by R. C. Sproul (what an amazing mind that man has!), formally introduced me to the topic.  He wrote

Statism is the natural and ultimate enemy to Christianity because it involves a usurpation of the reign of God. ... the church and the nation face a serious crisis in our day. In the final analysis, if statism prevails in America, it will mean not only the death of our religious freedom, but also the death of the state itself. We face perilous times where Christians and all people need to be vigilant about the rapidly encroaching elevation of the state to supremacy.

I am aware that others have spoken and written about this issues, including Russell Moore on First Things and The World and Everything In It (good stuff!) and First Things, and even Ayn Rand (again, to my shame, I have not read her works yet, so I cannot comment on her views).

Why do I write this post now?  This article, posted on CNN, is a prime example of what Sproul and Moore spoke.  In one of the most viewed CNN iReport articles, the author concluded 

I do not want religion to go away. I only want religion to be kept at home or in church where it belongs. It’s a personal effect, like a toothbrush or a pair of shoes. It’s not something to be used or worn by strangers. I want my children to be free not to believe and to know that our schools and our government will make decisions based on what is logical, just and fair—not on what they believe an imaginary God wants.

Do you see it?  I have no qualm with the author writing this phrase (though I completely disagree).  I would ask, respectfully:  Do I want my children to know that our schools and government make decisions based on what is logical, just and fair?  On what basis could our schools and government possible base decisions of justice and fairness, outside of either democratic voting (might makes right), or dictatorship (because I said so)?

Again, I am no political theorist, and I acknowledge my understanding of this topic is very limited.  Yet I see the raising of the "state" as a pseudo-religion, ultimately becoming a "god" (without using the term).  Am I wrong?