mc-xc:

Ok, i’ll admit, religion did do those two things

Let me make a list of things that people acting because of their Catholic religious beliefs have done.  Bertrand Russel seems to have forgotten a couple things religion has done.

-Protected Latin and Greek transcripts from the Barbarian invasions of the early middle ages.

-Designed the map of Europe through Benedictine Monasteries.

-Protected Europe from the Muslims who were advancing into Europe through the Crusades.

-Rescued Christian and pre-christian literature during those Crusades.
- Spread agricultural and animal husbandry knowledge
- Started and protected universities

-Saved people who were condemned as heretics by Feudal Lords during the Spanish inquisition.

- Sponsored and supported science and medicine

- Developed the modern theory of genetics, Mendel

- A group of Franciscan friars freed Squanto leading to the survival of the English colonists at Plymouth rock.

- Created International Law theory
- Developed and sponsored modern economic theory

 -Invented charity as we know it

- Developed the Big Bang theory, Lemaitre

- Codified, expanded, and improved Western Law 

- Developed Western Morality

-Lord Baltimore founded the colony of Maryland, and the Jesuits there were instrumental in writing the one of the first precursors of the first amendment right of the freedom of religion.

- Sponsored and influenced art and architecture
- Developed the concept of inalienable rights

- Pope Pius  XII hid and defended Jews in the Vatican during the holocaust.

- The Catholic Church prevented Italy from falling to Communism in the aftermath of the war.

- Catholics in Poland were among the most active freedom fighters against the U.S.S.R.

Currently:

- The Catholic Church is the world’s largest charity.

-  It is extremely active in social justice issues like stopping sex trafficking and promoting ways to prevent AIDS.

- The Catholic Church is actively fighting for an end to the oppression in the Middle East against Coptic Christians.

- The Catholic Church vocally opposes China’s human rights violations.

So next time someone tells you that religion is a force for evil.  Show them this list.