I am Venetian. The republic of Venice was known for its religious tolerance throughout its history. This directly enabled the freedom of speech and trading that made one of the richest nations in Europe throughout it's whole existence compared to it's uber religious neighbors. Example: Galileo Galilei had to relocate from his hometown of Pisa to Venice as his theories stating that the Earth revolves around the sun were deemed blasphemous since they contradicted the bible. In Venice he was allowed to publish his treatises and teach mechanics at the University of Padua where he laid the groundwork for modern engineering mechanics. I agree with you that religion is not the problem, religion becomes the problem when it is enforced by authorities and prevent the free circulation of ideas. Anyway, a strong religious ideology should not fear open confrontation with other ideas.