Are Republicans Really Fearful of the Government Seizing Too Much Control? How's This For Irony?

This isn't true in all cases, of course, but more times than not, when talking about the government's role in people's lives, Republicans tend to sway to the side of, "They have too much control!" The Tea Party, a sub-party of angry Republicans, spout those same sentiments fairly regularly.

I find this amusing, because as polls have shown for a while now, Republicans tend to be more "religious," more involved with the church, more regular attenders of church services, etc.

Now, nobody really knows with certainty why religions were created, what the reasons for them were, if any of them are accurate and/or superior to all others, etc. We can have faith that one is accurate and superior, but until we pass, we won't know.

Personally, I've always believed that religion was a tool used by the governments of the world to mold citizens in a certain-like, in hopes that it would provoke fear, especially of authority figures and in turn, bring about a willingness by citizens to allow their leaders to run the show, without many qualms.

Whether or not that theory is true is not all that important. The constant in the equation is the fact that religions all over the world set down rules, guidelines for people to follow and ask for more control over a person's livelihood than our government does. The government may ask for taxes, but religions ask for a person's character, individuality, uniqueness all in the name of "morality" and the after-life. Actually, I should re-phrase that, because religions themselves aren't entirely to blame for this, the religious leaders whom interpret scripture are at fault here as well.

So, how is it philosophically consistent to lambast the government for having too much power over our lives and yet, giving oneself up with no complaints in the name of a religion?