I think the idea of authority in this context was defined very well by me, but it didn't fit with your idea that to believe these folks are into scientism is the same as creating and baptizing them into a religion.
But OK, we'll play it your way: Is it warranted to believe that a person who says weakening the "nightmare" hold of religion would be the greatest thing scientists have ever done is a believer in scientism?
Not necessarily. I've met at least one person who's bitter about religion in general for reasons that have nothing to do with science or "scientism".