Here's an interesting little word,  Tolerance.

Tolerance, while not solely responsible for Western Progress, is certainly a major factor. The United States was founded on some moral Christian grounds, and still in some ways is a very Christian nation but I, as an American, can tell you we never would have succeeded as a nation had we not learned, albeit slowly, that we need to ignore our differences. To me this is a key issue in most developing nations. People just aren't willing to work together. It shows brilliantly in this thread, that no one is willing to criticize themselves or compromise for a solution.

European Nations NEVER gave up religion entirely, they just accepted that it needed to take a back seat to scientific progress. Countries like England, Germany, Japan, and the United States are still VERY religious, particularly in more conservative groups, but after years of religious rule and chaos, the people of these countries realized that the time for government by deity is over.

Never ask someone to give up religion, and insulting someone's culture and beliefs will not get you anywhere.  Religion is a precious thing, and the scientific types usually accept that. It's important that we never forget to respect what one another think and feel, and keep our minds open to new ideas.

As a point to add into the argument here though, the US has been greatly stunted in it's success for quite a while now due to the religious types. Many new technologies have to pass because people simply don't see why change is necessary, and rely too much on their beliefs, attempting to force them upon everyone else,

A few quotes on tolerance:

"The price of the democratic way of life is a growing appreciation of people's differences, not merely as tolerable, but as the essence of a rich and rewarding human experience." - Jerome Nathanson

"It is the duty of every cultured man or woman to read sympathetically the scriptures of the world. If we are to respect others' religions as we would have them respect our own, a friendly study of the world's religions is a sacred duty." - Mohondas K. Ghandi

"Ultimately, America's answer to the intolerant man is diversity, the very diversity which our heritage of religious freedom has inspired." - Robert F. Kennedy

"Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so too." - Voltaire

"Monsieur l'abbe, I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write." - Voltaire

and my personal favorites:

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." - Aristotle

"Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others." - John F. Kennedy

One fact is certain, the people arguing here desire further development of African nations. Yet it seems that neither science, nor religion, but human nature provides an answer to your problem. If you could just stop pointing fingers and arguing about world history you might actually be productive.