Christianity and Judaism retain many relics of an uneducated, dangerous, and fatal past. Try to understand the writings that survive to use within the framework of their millenia-old vintage and not from a modern standpoint. Despite whatever bullshit Dan Brown has you swallowing, the past was not egalitarian or pretty, and women's rights were increased under both religions over the standards of the day.

Organized religion is often over-rated, but it also deserves some respect. The Church and other religious traditions have been preservers and spreaders of ancient learning, patrons of beauty and culture and art, and givers of charity. The Church is guilty of some sins, but many more than it is actually responsible for have been heaped upon it.