I think religion is, and has been a bad thing for the general progress of the human race.  For one thing; religious bigotry held back women, not just in Christian countries, but in all religions.  Also the non acceptance of homosexuality, and certainly the extreme non acceptance, and persecution present in all religions, of all persons who do not follow, or even believe in the so called "word of God".  

This inability of extremely religious groups and persons to adopt what we generally accept as the modern forms of social normality has certainly held down not only progress from a social point of view, but also most definitely limited the scientific progress.  Copernicus was called a heretic for daring to suggest that the truth was the earth orbited the sun, not the other way around as the bible teaches.  Even Darwin, in a much more tolerant age was hated for daring to suggest that people were not created by God, but evolved from apes. 

Oddly enough, there was always an easy way around these problems for religions.  All they needed to do was to realise that yes, the bible, or whatever book, was a good guide to live by, but it was written in a time when people were not as educated, and sophisticated as this new learned generation.  They could have embraced the new sciences as a testament to mans perfection, and in getting closer to the truth, getting closer to God.

Instead, the people in power, fearing that any change in their stand would loosen their grip, denied these new sciences.  Foolishly possibly, but from their point of view, they were only looking out for themselves.

From a personal point of view, religion is probably a good thing.  It gives the downtrodden and unfortunate some glimmer of hope, it makes people believe that there is some superhuman force watching out for them, that can be called on to aid them in difficult times.

Of cause no such force exists, but the quiet contemplation offered by prayer is much like meditation.  It helps to create a calm and focused state of mind, which is definatly a help both in decision making and self reflection.  This state of mind certainly helps people through their lives, and will probably make them happier.  Its not God doing this.  its them.