Decius wrote:
] Scientific people (at least, idealistically) do not assume to
] know what the answer to this question is. As new information
] becomes available they integrate it into their understanding.
] They can describe the story that their current information
] points to, but that story is always changing.
]
] In politics everyone has religion.
]
] These reflexive conclusions really have nothing to do with
] whether or not, or at what level, welfare actually
] accomplishes the goal of fighting poverty. I want a more
] scientific approach. One that looks at actions and results
] rather then philosophies.

The closest existing term approaching your description, although not without significant baggage, is perhaps scientism. In this sense, science is religion -- that is, the scientific method. You have faith in the scientific method. Or so some would argue. Others would say the analogy is strained, at best.

Begin at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientism

This page includes links to an edge.org debate between Richard Dawkins and Steven Pinker, as well as an article from Richard Dawkins entitled "Is Science A Religion?"

RE: Help, I need to invent a new word.