mh, I am not sure I understand the connections you draw. You think that technological advancement should go hand in hand with the disappearance of religion and if that's not the case technology looses it's value? And the massacres are happening because of religion?
Technological advancement does go hand in hand with the disappearance of religion, it just needs to shift few gears up already! Massacres are happening due to low standards of living, and some religious individuals play on it, as they always did, lying about a better "next" life. Every word, that comes out of every preacher - is a dangerous lie! Even more dangerous if they really believe in all that nonsense, although the clever ones, tend to mention the "allegorical nature" of their religious writings. But, of cause, when you live in a state of utter poverty, it is much more tempting to trust yourself in the hands of some invisible deity, rather than accept your life for what it is - a pitiful, joyless, unpleasant duty, that will end prematurely and without any cause or deeper meaning...
So instead of spending countless resources and time, on sending someone to Mars, I, personally, would use these resources on feeding and educating poor countries. Not for free of cause, but only if they accept and embrace the values of western civilization. No need to feed and educate someone, who will use their energy and knowledge to build a religious stone-age society.
Might be more emotions than sense here, but i really, really hate every written religion of human history!
As for technology losing it's value, i was referring to "moral value". If you are a starving two year old kid, how many fucks do you give about Mars and IPhone 6?.. Both are only interesting if you have everything, and are bored with everything.
Mkay, i can go on like this forever, no need to encourage me. My shift is up, time to go home, and spend my evening in sweet delight!