If it begins with mercy it ends with pain. There is tragedy in it that drives insane! If focus is on work the things aren't same. You need purpose in life not just ability to abstain. If to work is the goal there develops many a reasons to live by. Stress reduces in a busy man or woman. You cannot seek purpose of life as worship without putting any efforts to improve your living style. If you cannot say whether science is better or religion. Remember that the purpose of life fills rightly your spare time and achieves for the goal not just you there then.
Hurting self is not the solution for progress. Buddha agreed to this statement. We cannot fill our time empty. We need purpose in life. This purpose is given by science. To achieve the goal of better life while still being on earth and not dreaming in and out of heaven. We cannot delete reasons from life. We cannot delete work from our desires to survive. Without any work you cannot even enjoy your life fully.
Where do we then go wrong when we say science is right? Don't fill your mind with emptiness! Set it to work and achieve life in life! I again say science is right. Emptiness is no achievement of mind. You need to set yourself in motion of work which serves delight. Give life a chance! Accept science!