...I believe in science over religion, if that's what you're referring to, though I'm not sure it is - a Scientologist presumably studies...what? Scientology? That seems a bit of a redundant term to me - if one studies science, why not just say so?
As for your questions, however - it's not that we use them for electricity, they're used for alchemy. Using the souls of others as our "toll" allows alchemists to bypass Equivalent Exchange and do more powerful transmutations; otherwise, we would risk getting our limbs ripped off or our bodies otherwise mutilated horribly for overstepping our boundaries. It's an incredibly taboo practice and frowned upon for obvious ethical reasons.
...and before you ask - yes, I'm an alchemist myself. No, I do not use my alchemy to turn lead into gold. Yes, I imagine I would be capable of doing so if I tried, and no, I've never been interested in trying, as it's illegal in my country, being good for nothing but upsetting the economy, and it's a waste of alchemic potential besides.
(There are also far more efficient materials that one could use if one really wanted to transmute gold, but that is neither here nor there.)
no subject
As for your questions, however - it's not that we use them for electricity, they're used for alchemy. Using the souls of others as our "toll" allows alchemists to bypass Equivalent Exchange and do more powerful transmutations; otherwise, we would risk getting our limbs ripped off or our bodies otherwise mutilated horribly for overstepping our boundaries. It's an incredibly taboo practice and frowned upon for obvious ethical reasons.
...and before you ask - yes, I'm an alchemist myself. No, I do not use my alchemy to turn lead into gold. Yes, I imagine I would be capable of doing so if I tried, and no, I've never been interested in trying, as it's illegal in my country, being good for nothing but upsetting the economy, and it's a waste of alchemic potential besides.
(There are also far more efficient materials that one could use if one really wanted to transmute gold, but that is neither here nor there.)