Kmar wrote:
Their leaders supported it. They did stand in the way of science, in the most sadistic of all ways. That is without question. Galileo's teachings were condemed before he even had a chance to speak in front of the the catholic leadership. That isn't to say they haven't also contributed. We have the big bang theory (Georges Lemaître) for example. The fact that there has also been contributions does not erase the past.
The point is, it was not the only one which stood in the way of science. Feudalism reigned over Europe at that time, wars were fought constantly, Muslims were pretty much present on Iberian peninsula the whole time, etc. etc.
The Church (not the Catholic scholars) didn't really give a crap about most of the scientific progress that went on. It was interested only in progress which could imply some heretic notion. You mentioned Galileo, he was very religious, the problem was he was also very fond of Reformation (Martin Luther). The whole argument between him and church isn't as simple as "omfg you heretic earth is the center of the universe now go and live in your house for the rest of your life".
There were so many factors involved in the development of science at the time that pointing the finger at Church at saying "It's your fault we aren't in star trek era yet" makes little sense.
Bertster7 wrote:
The vast majority did. That's why they stood around cheering when then tortured and burnt people.
The vast majority of people feared Inquisition like hell. Public executions always attracted lots of people but I wouldn't go as far to say that everyone there was a bloodthirsty maniac who enjoyed that kind of stuff.
Last edited by BlAiR_AgaiN (14 years ago)