So are you willing to type right here that you believe that gnostic theists are arrogant?

I believe I already have.

I'm sure they do not perceive themselves as being arrogant, but to state it without sugar-coating spin, anyone who claims that they know for certain, with no doubt whatsoever, that which is simply unprovable, is displaying some level of arrogance, no matter how benign it may manifest.

Well okay then. You are now on record stating that religious people are just as arrogant as gnostic atheists. I don't believe you had made that clear before now.

What is with the facepalming and laughter? I've gotten one straight answer to my definition question:

You get on Luc for his 'word games', but you remain vague, or alter your definitions to suit different points.
You equate state religion with a leader's beliefs? Do you do so only if that leader is a dictator?
Following that, did you mean to imply that the handful of countries that exist today that actually have state religions are inherently good, better,...?
Is it your contention that we'd be better off if we did as well?

Probably because no one asked before.

Say what you will about me, but I think it's fair to say that I don't try and hide who I am or what I think about any given topic.

That said, I still believe that religion is a vital civilizing force in society, and history backs me up on this - it's not just a matter of my opinion.

Perhaps instead of religion, let's call it the quest for meaning, n'est-ce pas?

It wasn't aimed at you Feral it was a response to Lu's non responses to a few us here on this board not just myself...

I never said that a country run by a religious insitution is a particularly good thing either as demonstrated all too clearly in many muslim countries. Hence the importance of maintaining the status quo of separation of church and state as your founding fathers had intended.

However there some among the secular and atheist camp that are trying to change the constitution into something unrecognizable that is to slowly remove the freedom of the individual to worship God as he or she chooses in respect to the freedom of individuals to choose not to worship God... be it in the home or in public institutions such as prayer in schools and observing religious holidays and traditions.

In your query concerning state religion with state leader's beliefs I think history proves that there is a connection to the two as such as the case of communist countries nearly 100% of comunists leaders were atheists..when humans reject God they tend to seek to become gods unto themselves and make up thier moral/ethical and social codes as they go along changing and adjusting those standards to suit thier convience.In the case of totaltarian countries absolute power is controlled by a handful of people who effectively control the police and armed forces...and subject the rest of the populace through fear.

The leader of communist countries especially such as North Korea are treated with such reverence through government propoganda and coercion and even worshiped literally as a diety.

Fortunately in America the constitution as it is would rein in any political candidate seeking to impose his or her religious views on the american people.