If you believe in god, you're an idiot...

[Azazel]

There is a lot to respond to here. On just this one point:

Religion reinvents itself all the time as well even within specific religions. To use your quote it "goes through continual self examination, ideas are held up to be criticized." Even within religions like Catholicism and Christianity within the last few hundred years the mindset has shifted dramatically in terms of the intent of religious teachings, their true translations, and so on. In light of new evidence and theories there are new religions and theologies created. It evolves exactly the same as science and just as fast.

Religous doctrine is rigid. Yes it does change, but rarely (your own example is of a few hundred years) and is often in necessary response to social pressures. The reformation did not happen in light of new evidence but rather came about because of social / political / economic reasons (and Martin Luther).

Science understanding however changes daily. Just take a look at any scientific journal and each publication will be in same way be a refutation or expansion on previous theory.

It is in the very nature of religion (at least the Abrahimic ones) to be inflexible for they proclaim themselves to be truth.