Eye of a needle

I agree with your assessment of organised religion and it's total failure of modern people but yet again I don't recognise your description of science and scientists. Individual Scientist are generally motivated by a fascination with how a very small part of the Universe works, but the activity is a social one involving a great deal of cooperation and sharing of ideas between people that derive a lot of joy from their pursuit of truth (however fleeting). This to me is basically not ego led but what you might call a "spiritual" purpose. That doesn't mean that Scientists aren't as flawed as the rest of us just that Science works best that way.
I don't see Science as modern invention of the western world but an extension of the innate natural ability and drive of human beings to understand the world around us in all it's complexity and beauty.

This for me is enough.

And so far I have not surrendered to Nihilism, despair, or Criminality, all though I do like a touch of hedonism every now and again.

All the best for 2006

PP