Neo is compared with Jesus because he is chosen by a higher power to be the messiah of man. Many of the characters have mythical or biblical names. The fact that Neo dies and comes back to life is also one of the numerous ways in which The Matrix makes religious comparisons. As we begin the 21st century, The Matrix becomes even more poignant because science plays an increasingly more important role in people's lives. Science is not only being compared to religion but is taking the place of traditional religion.
Scientific thought is relied on to decide what is right.
Science has become more prevalent in the lives of many people than traditional religion. Science functions as the new religion. Many have replaced their faith in religion with faith in scientific thought. Science is the new religion because logic takes the place of biblical explanations about life, more and more people put their faith in science, and because science is a more tangible alternative to religion. The whole purpose of religion is to answer questions about life.