Comparing science to religion is comparing apples to oranges.  Religion is a way of thinking and living, where science and technology are tools.  They are often pitted against each other, because one is faith based, believing without proof, and the other is fact based, believing only what can be proven.  If religion has a true rival, it should be philosophy.  Both offering moral guidance, but one with a god, the other without.

You say "Where in the scientific community have we seen any real significant humanitarian movements?" and I say where would any humanitarian movement be, without science and technology.  It would be much harder to feed the masses, and heal the sick and injured, without them?  When some place is hit by a tsunami, or destroyed by an earthquake, or flood, how does relief arrive on the scene?  Food, fresh water, clothes, and medical supplies arrive by plane, boat or vehicle.  All shipped in containers, to keep them fresh, or usable, for long periods of time.  All these supplies are made possible by modern science.  Science is a tool, to be used, by the good and evil alike.

"Who has made it technologically possible to fill the world with the atom bomb, machine guns, napalm, etc. It wasn't the Vatican."  The Vatican would not be established where it is today, if not for, more than a few, successful catholic crusades/wars.  And believe me, if they would have had atom bombs, machine guns, and napalm, they would have used them.

Don't get me wrong, religion isn't the only cause of wars in the past, but look at all the wars that they HAVE caused.  Science raises the danger of war, but also improves the quality of life, during peaceful times.  It would be nice if, in this time of heightened technology, we could abandon our narrow minded, self serving ways of thinking, and learn to accept, relish, and use our differences, for good.  Of course, getting people to agree on what is "Good" is a whole other subject.

Children shouldn't be allowed to play with sharp items.  Science and technology are very powerful, and I see no chance of them going away.  So maybe it's time we all grow up, and use them responsibly.

I officially became a cliché, with this journal entry.

-Jeff

P.S.  This was actually written in response to someone during a debate about religion and science.