Iran says it is enriching uranium only as fuel for nuclear power plants, not nuclear weapons, which begs the question: Why all the religious fervor over powering up a few light bulbs?

Ever seen the Pope, for example, holding mass rallies or getting all hot and bothered over a bunch of new Con Ed plants?

Ponder these pictures:

Iranian students praying at Isfahan nuclear plant.                                    Photo by: AFP

Iranian students hold up their hands as a sign of unity as they form a human chain
around the Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) to show their support for Iran's 
nuclear program in Isfahan, 450 km (280 miles) south of Tehran November 15,
2011.   REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl

Iranian clerics carry a banner as they arrive to create a human chain around the
Natanz uranium enrichment facility during a rally to show support for Iran's nuclear
program, in Natanz, 350km (217 miles) south of the capital Tehran, November 18,
2005. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl

An Iranian man holds a placard as he stands in front of Iran's Atomic Energy
Organization in Tehran during a rally to mark the country's national day of nuclear
technology April 9, 2007. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi