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04/12/2004: "Heresy!"

An interesting day in history. Today in 1633, Galileo was convicted of heresy for "holding the belief" that the Earth revolved around the Sun. This article says, "The Church had decided the idea that the Sun moved around the Earth was an absolute fact of scripture that could not be disputed, despite the fact that scientists had known for centuries that the Earth was not the center of the universe."
Also, "We order that by a public edict the book of Dialogues of Galileo Galilei be prohibited, and We condemn thee to the prison of this Holy Office during Our will and pleasure; and as a salutary penance We enjoin on thee that for the space of three years thou shalt recite once a week the Seven Penitential Psalms."
This my friends is the stuff 'separation of church and state' is made of.

Replies: 2 have commented

Did you know that Galileo was so revered that in 1737 members of a cult who continued his work removed his right index finger? Currently you can see it on display in a museum in Florence. Go here to see a picture.
http://www.danbrown.com/secrets/angels_demons/galileo.html

Caoimhe said @ 04/12/2004 04:50 PM PST

That is the purpose of "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion". "Seperation of church and state" has become merely a way for lawyers to whip up more work for themselves.

The wall of separation said @ 04/14/2004 03:51 PM PST