Which makes whether religion on the whole helped more than it hurt a moot point - one not worth getting angry or self-rightous over on either side.
I don't see the need for anger or self-righteousness, either, but to make progress, don't we also consider history to identify and avoid patterns that hinder advancement?
That the Catholic Church condemned heliocentrism as "false and contrary to Scripture" is one example in history. But in our time, some religionists would have evolution removed from public school textbooks if it contradicts whatever holy book they subscribe to. This is an issue that affects us NOW and impedes progress on multiple levels. Think of children who were raised in fundy or JW or Muslim environments... kids who could've gone to university and contributed to mans' advancement but did not, do not, will not.
I find it just a little arrogant on the part of atheists to suggest that the various faiths of humankind have really held back human progress.
I'm not at all saying faith in the past had no positive effect on mankind. I'm just wondering if we still need those leg braces... or if they're holding us up now. Think of little Forrest Gump.