Everyone should know the Monty Python sketch about the, "What have Romans ever done for us?" So with this in mind, I'm not talking about religion but Faith; what has faith ever done for us?
Inspired philosophy?
Given us ethics? Moses, Hammurabi, Jesus, et al.
Genetics? Think monks and peas.
Astronomy? Even though Galileo was right. We can also thank the likes of Abu Jafar Muhammad.
Discovered new lands? Sorry about the influenza though. And Conquistadors.
Taught us right from wrong?
Given us inspired teachers? Mohammed, Ghandi, Jesus, Guru Nanak, Dogen, Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa
Influenced mathematics? We can thank the Indians for the number 0.
Propagated writing?
The printed word?
Helped educate? Faith based schools.
Influenced political landscapes? Asoka, Constantine, Altan Khan amongst others.
Aided medicine? Think nuns & monks again and the likes of Bu Ali, Ibn Sena.
Inventing armour? The monks again.
Given us holidays? The clue's in the name.
Brought us the calendar? Sumerian through to Roman times.
Influenced architecture?
Historians? Ezra, Moses, Aisha bint Muhammad ibn Abdel Hadi , Bede, (another monk), et al
Inspired poetry?
Inspired artists to do magnificent art?
Consolidated languages and translations? E.g., the Bible, Hammurabi's code.
Given us Meditation? Guess who.
Science? Many Muslims and Christians have been inspired and to look further, such as Abu Nasr Al-Farabi & Isaac Newton.
And a nice cup of tea? Zen monks this time.
So besides philosophy, ethics, genetics, astronomy, geography, morals, education, teachers, mathematics, printed words, medicine, armour, genetics, science, holidays, calendars, architecture, history, inspiring artists and writers, helping language and translations, meditation, and a nice cup of tea, what has faith ever done for us?
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