as of late? wtf. Do you know who started the first version of the Vatican's science academy... Galileo then later reestablished for St Thomas Aquinas. This isn't about what religion is better. This is about history of science, math and philosophy....and the Renaissance. Catholics dominated Western Civilization and they paid for a lot of art, science, math and letters. That's just fact. Some of this most important science, math, art and philosophy was commissioned by the Catholic church. I'm sure the Muslims would say the same thing about their history. There was a time when Church and State were united....for the good and the bad.
I don't know that Galileo is the best example... considering how that all panned out. Having said that, yes, historically the Catholic Church has contributed a great deal to science and thought... and their orders tend to be the most well educated in Christianity. I said "of late" in a relative sense... the church the last 20 years (my personal era to judge) has brought a receptiveness for science that is far greater than other religions in my opinion. For as conservative and traditional the C.C can be... it is also receptive to other ideas.... the last pope went as far as to discuss the lack of a hell and the importance of evolution as a field...
Thanks for the nice response. As for Galileo, I wasn't suggesting a "best example," nor defending the Vatican...I was only pointing out the First, historically speaking. His name was Galileo.
