>People believe all kinds of crazy things, but it's undisputed that Protestantism has been generations ahead of Catholicism in social change.

That's only superficial, as protestant countries (and especially calvinist ones) transcribed into everyday non-religious morals all kinds of religious tenets, from the "protestant work ethic" to modern versions of puritanism like "political correctness".

Some did yes. Protestantism was a very diverse collection of sub-theologies.

Based on these replies, I'm wondering if there wasn't pop-history hit-piece on Protestantism that I'm not aware of.

Just for for the record, I'm an atheist myself.

One of the main accusations the Protestants levied against the Catholic Church was that Catholic Church was too liberal and too willing to be flexible in its theology. The Counter-Reformation (a reaction to these accusations) did prompt the Catholic Church to become much more conservative, but this was not the state of the church prior to the Protestant Reformation.

>One of the main accusations the Protestants levied against the Catholic Church was that Catholic Church was too liberal and too willing to be flexible in its theology.

Some did yes. For others the appeal of Protestantism was flexibility.

> People believe all kinds of crazy things...

Same sex marriage, ordination of female clergy and birth control are not christian doctrines 'progressive' as they may be.

There are many Protestant churches believe it is.