[Gatac]

I think that what Picard was referring to when he said that was religion replacing science, or more precisely, scientific method.

Religion contains many, many things that we can not test for and falsify. For these, philosophy and religion can argue about the great intangibles - is there a Heaven, is there a God, do we have souls? However, things that we can test for should be tested for, not blindly believed. Where scientific research and religious dogma differ, the rational choice is science.

The bible doesn't tell us how to make microchips. Conversely, Stephen Hawking doesn't know where you'll go when you die.

For some people, this might imply a God of the gaps. However, that is inaccurate; God of the gaps attributes everything Science can't explain yet to God. I propose that we will eventually learn everything important about the physical world, so there will be no more gaps to hide in there. Focus on the spiritual, where Science can not penetrate.

Gatac