The two well known example are Copernicus and Galileo.
Let's put it this way: the church did not exactly promote critical thinking. I may have exaggarated in my above comment, but nobody can deny that scientific progression was slowed down due to the church.
How many people will have a desire to understand nature if the one and only catholic church offers answers in the form of "God"? Exactly, very few. That's what happened centuries ago.
Religion was a necessery pian in the ass for humanity for a long time, but it's hilarious that the majority of mankind still beleives in fairytales.
And regarding the OP: I think that's the least he can do.