Ah I see, so it's just a matter of perspective. If a priest or Imman says don't touch yourself, or give me lots of money because that's what god wants, it's somehow OK?
No, manipulation is manipulation. Religion is the ultimate tool for that, because you are not allowed to refute divine law.
Look at the ridiculous laws in Saudi, look at the women who have been stoned to death because they dared come forward to accuse their rapists and were then called adulterers.
Look at ancient lore in the bible and koran which gives men the right to buy and sell women because god says so.
Science doesn't manipulate, science is just the process of questioning. That is not to say that some scientists try and manipulate, but at least they are answerable to checkable facts.