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"I was struck by your assertion that religious people use the Genesis creation story to trounce science. What you do not make clear is that you understand the difference between religion and the presence of God."

Fair point and an important distinction. I wish I was more scientifically aware, but my issue is not with science. My concern is the perception of religiosity attached to the so called Creation Sciences. In the end the debate appears to be religion against science. But, my problem is seeing kids breaking up with laughter listening to someone try to explain the concept of intelligent design. On the other hand, kids respond pretty will to the traditional notion of sacred mystery. While the creationists are fighting the scientists they do not realize the damage done to the bright, inquisitive youth in our faith communities.

In terms of the presence of God my experience tends to flow out of Rahner in the "corner of my mind's eye."

You seem to be railing against a branch of religion that supplants reason with blind belief. Not all, indeed, not many Christian believers have fallen into that trap. There are, to be sure, some cult priests and preachers who demand allegiance to their peculiar twist on the Bible.
I raise the issue of experience of God because it alone illuminates Biblical authority. An atheist can learn nothing of the truths of the Bible.
What you call sacred mystery is, perhaps, a portal into a life of spirituality. Certainly the mysterium tremendum is the rock that grounds one who is reborn into a personal knowledge of God. It is this experience of Ultimate Reality that further, illuminates all investigation of the world. Scientists may not remain aloof from the necessity of acknowledging their debt to their personal weltaunschung. We all live in a world of our own making. Some are fortunate enough to recognize that a relationship with reality is to be desired above the earthly riches of solipsism.