The church went a long way in ushering in the dark ages, suppressing progress. And yeah, I know the Irish Monks did their bit in preserving manuscripts from the classical era, but that's not the point. Rather than the church hierarchy or christian doctrine that brought on the enlightenment, it was the inquiring minds of gifted thinkers who thought outside of the teachings of the church.
You completely ignored the positive influence of Christianity upon medical care and schooling, the founding of universities and hospitals, the positive influence upon philosophy and political thought and Human Rights, the role it played in ending infanticide and human sacrifice, etc..
Shocker.
During the dark ages, which the church ushered in? You need to be more specific by referencing time and place. Nobody is arguing against improvements in the church during and after enlightenment, reformation, etc. You seem to be mishmashing the history of the church.
”...are you denying the POSITIVE impact of Christianity upon Western Civilization...?” That’s a crystal clear question, and ‘you’ responded with your “dark ages” answer... clearly and intentionally ignoring what I said you did. And the “improvements” were to Western Civilization itself, not just “in the church”. It is ‘you’ who are “mismashing”...clearly and intentionally ‘trying’ to practice intellectual dishonesty to make your point...and it’s duly noted. If you’re argument is so good and so strong, then why do you intentionally resort to such weak tactics...? It’s telling.
There are positive aspects to religion, Christianity has positive aspects. The question is whether the benefits outweigh the negatives in the long run.
