I think people both over- and underestimate its influence. Anti-christian thought says things like we'd be better of without it, the bloodshed is horrible, and other such things. But I think bloodshed and greed are intrinsic to human nature, and religion is simply an excuse. Christianity isn't the only institution that demands that people give up their minds. However. . .Christianity has, in subtle ways and unsubtle ways, influenced Western values in ways that aren't necessarily 'religious' in nature. I mean, even non-Christians seem to think that Jesus, as a symbol of service and tolerance, was a good ideal, but many non-Christian cultures would view his bleeding-heart liberalism and anarchy as distasteful at best.
My opinion? There's no way of even fathoming the impact of any religion which has a 2000 year history as crazy as Christianity's. But by all means, continue speculating.
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