In the course of human history has religion played a positive role in our development in the tangible realm?

i have been hard pressed to find a time where religion has not stood in the way of our evolution as a people.it always seems that we must set aside our traditions to grow and learn in the real world, that is not to say it has not served it's purpose on a personal level, entailing the ability to set peoples minds at ease or provide a healthy spiritual outlet. history will continue to repeat itself, such as in the case of stem cell research, with umbilical cords and birthing materials not fetuses, people continue to use religion as a vehicle to impede research that may eventually wipe out many of today's diseases.