Yeah, but the article is just a headline grabber. Sure, these areas are more likely to have evidence of (deceased) life than others, but it's just another place to dig. The only new discovery was that hobbling around on Mars with a bad wheel could actually turn to scientific advantage.

NASA found life on Mars in the 70's; then went through a comical explanation of how their data and tests were flawed and that they were mistaken. I've already personally concluded the evidence of life beyond earth to be more than a statistical anomaly based on several sources. It's likely just a matter of time before it becomes a case of hard evidence.

What then? Do we re-interpret classical religions to portray them as possible visitations from other mortal societies rather than manifestations of an omnipresent, omnipotent being?

The entire foundations of the major religions could get shaken to the core. The net result of this issue will become much more important than a simple question of whether life exists or it doesn't on some patch of extra-terrestrial real estate.

If the confirmation of life on Mars ends up bringing down organized religion in general, and certain religions in particular, then all the dollars and lives NASA has spent on the space program will have all be very well sacrificed.