I partially agree with Brit here..the OP's question has to do with many factors including social economic and cultural as Adey as elaborated in his long post earlier.

But, I would add, where social and cultural philosophy of the state and its people purely emerge out of religion, the conditions would not help scientific progress. However, I don't blame everything on religion.

It's those few overlapping fundamental concepts which do clash with that of religion. Theories on evolution and models for the beginning of our universe have not developed under religious background but despite the prevailing religious background.