<p>Well, whatever flaws religion may have presented throughout history, you cannot argue that it has not facilitated the growth of quite a few nations in the world. You could certainly argue that religion has acted as sort of catalyst to speed up the development of the world as a whole.</p>
<p>The few original states of America were created because many people were attempting to escape the religious persecution brought on by King James in England. The Crusades, while deplorable as far as any war goes, brought back heaps of knowledge, items, and increased trade in western Europe. Even Manifest Destiny, the idea that it was “God’s will” for America to spread out and conquer neighboring states, helped to facilitate the growth of this country (albeit as a result of bloodshed).</p>
<p>You could just as well argue that religion has inhibited the growth of society. In the end, it’s really more of a double edged sword, don’t you think?</p>