When scientists first discovered them, some of them theorized that they could hold the secret to the origin of life itself. They speculated that it was these mitochondria that came along to co-exist with single celled organisms which allowed them to grow into multi-celled organisms.
A lot of religious groups felt that we shouldn't even be studying about mitochondria, because they could serve to "explain" God. Just as a lot of us accused the Midichlorian concept of "explaining" the Force.
The truth is they do no such thing. As a lot of you pointed out, they only add more questions to the ones we already had.
I really like the way Midichlorians brings this whole concept into the minds of children, who may become more curious about some of these studies, and may end up coming to a better understanding than the generation before them.
Adults are more likely to have developed firm beliefs about religion or science in general, whereas children are more likely to question established beliefs.