Religion is evolving

[abaris]

My question, is, however, who can we credit with these positive changes? Does it come from external pressure causing theists to change or is it from inside, people taking what could be seen as a more philanthropic view and deciding that is the route their religion should be taking?

Mainstream protestanism - usually found in European denominations - always has been more liberal than the Evangelical movement in America. As far as Catholicism goes, they're losing ground rapidly in urban areas. So it's a PR move to steer the old bark in a slightly different direction. But they're hardly moving at all.