The science is about making inferences and checking how good such predictions match reality. Religion, on the other hand, can at best explain, not predict in any verifiable way. That is, it is about deducting consequences from one’s beliefs.
No, religion cannot explain anyrhing reliably as it's based on dogmas and not facts.
In the meantime, I recommend the book The Evolution of Religion by Robert Wright, a very sane author that's written a lot of great books, in my opinion.
No, building a reality based on a dogma is the most close-minded thing you can ever do.
It can only explain things inside it's belief system.
If you haven't encountered this kind of fanatic, consider yourself lucky. These days I'd feel safer drawing a picture of Mohammed than blaspheming The Science by asking heretical questions or making unholy observations. You never know when the secular-inquisition will come for you, but you always expect it.