I'm a scientist myself. I see your point as well. I am not one who clings to faith as a panacea when reality presents me with something uncomfortable. Even in our discover of newness, or, in the midst of difficult personal challenges, there still needs to be a context of meaning and purpose to one's life.

Historically, organized religion has pushed faith to discredit discovery, if for nothing else than to keep people ignorant, and thus, controllable. But, even the most free and open-minded truth seeker will, at some point, need to find purpose in his discoveries, an in his life in general. This is what I consider faith. I do not subscribe to its overused (and abused) connotation in traditional religious context (i.e. as a simple, staunchly held, watered down belief).