Whatever god is or is not, it is not a "middleman." Using that term indicates that you believe people use it as a buffer between them and reality. That may be, but it is not proper theology. Nor is it proper theology to discuss science, just as it is improper for science to discuss theology. Category error!

Both have the same root, which is awe. But they address different things. Pink unicorns are cute but they are not divinity. They don't even exist. Which is probably too bad... just think what zoologists would do with that!