Religions are worldviews. The Singularity is also a worldview, and one with a future prediction is quite different than the older more standard linear atheist scientific worldview, where the future is unknown but probably like the past, AI has no role, etc etc.

I read the "by (some) definition" and I find it actually supports the cluster mapping utility of the god term as it applies to AI's. "Scary powerful optimization process" just doesn't instantly convey the proper power relation.

But nonetheless, I do consider your public relations image point to be important. But I'm not convinced that one needs to hide fully behind the accepted confines of the scientific magisterium and avoid the unspoken words.

Science tells us how the world was, is, and can become. Religion/Mythology/Science Fiction tells us what people want the world to be.

Understanding the latter domain is important for creating good AI and CEV and all that.