response 213 of 293:

Dec 16 18:35 UTC 2003

re resp:211 (who slipped in): It's fodder for another item, but if you 
look at the basic innovation which occurred in Dark Ages and Middle 
Ages monasteries, where the monks were constantly striving to free up 
time to exercise their devotions, the connection is there.

The striving for improvement, and exploration, that originated in 
Western Europe was not an accident.  The dominant influence in Europe 
from 4th through 18th centuries was the Roman Catholic church.  I'm not 
claiming it *wanted* the change that it catalyzed, but it'd be pretty 
blind to deny it didn't have a lot of influence.  The Catholic religion 
was *wildly* successful in a whole *lot* of ways.