Anyone who has studied RL history cannot deny that Operation Harmony did indeed save millions of lives (relative to the status quo). From the Crusades, to the Black Plague, to the Mongolian Horde's rampage, so many millions were killed who would survive in this world. Yes, they do die eventually, but this does mean that they have more children. The impact continues to show itself for generations (a fascinating study of this IRL exists in looking at the impact of WWII on Russia's population - it is still being felt in a relative lack of babies being born today, three generations later).

As to the commentary regarding faith and religion, this isn't new. I have appreciated the philosophical dives into it in different stories, and I appreciate it here as well. The added clarity from all the events that they reference makes it even better.

I don't necessarily like the "code of silence being anathema" bit - I'm not the most open of people, and it does scare me somewhat - but I understand the realities that make it fair.