I was thinking to myself last night while reading some articles about The Global Warming debates, and the Emergency birth control debates, how many lines I can draw between the Inquistion of Galileo and the attempt to hide the truth he spoke of....and the current deniers of science. People who have no background to speak of, telling us what the "truth" is, telling us what to think. While they smear and defame the experts, the scientists. Calling those who would move ahead Wrong, and EVIL....Modern Heretics.
So, I looked up some of the more interesting records on a true Maverick of science. Galileo.
You may not see the parallel, but it has me thinking....
Some similar thoughts have been covered, one article here:
Galileo syndrome
Whereas you, Galileo, son of the late Vincenzio Galilei, of Florence, aged seventy years, were denounced in 1615, to this Holy Office, for holding as true a false doctrine taught by many, namely, that the sun is immovable in the center of the world, and that the earth moves, and also with a diurnal motion; also, for having pupils whom you instructed in the same opinions; also, for maintaining a correspondence on the same with some German mathematicians; also for publishing certain letters on the sun-spots, in which you developed the same doctrine as true; also, for answering the objections which were continually produced from the Holy Scriptures, by glozing the said Scriptures according to your own meaning; and whereas thereupon was produced the copy of a writing, in form of a letter professedly written by you to a person formerly your pupil, in which, following the hypothesis of Copernicus, you include several propositions contrary to the true sense and authority of the Holy Scriptures; therefore (this Holy Tribunal being desirous of providing against the disorder and mischief which were thence proceeding and increasing to the detriment of the Holy Faith) by the desire of his Holiness and the Most Emminent Lords, Cardinals of this supreme and universal Inquisition, the two propositions of the stability of the sun, and the motion of the earth, were qualified by the Theological Qualifiers as follows:
the rest here: The Crime of Galileo: Indictment and Abjuration of 1633
We are seeing attacks on scientists now, the ones who tell us from their research, that the earth is going to keep getting warmer, and that we will see the seas and the oceans rise, and that we need to act soon. I have Diaried about Global Warming denial before, so you can click on these links if you choose to. (I'm a lazy typist)
A blonde's guide to Peak Oil, and the end of the world
A Blondes guide to Peak Oil, and the End of the world; part 2
A Blondes guide to Peak Oil, and the End of the world; part 3
We see these attacks on those who would give women the right to use emergency contraceptives. They call it abortion. Yet the newest research does not support that. National post: Demand doubles for morning-after pill. Health care costs down as drug more accessible: research
These drugs prevent abortions.
We see the attacks on the science itself, fought with flawed studies paid for by the Companies and individuals who would not profit from the truth. We see it from those who want to control the way we think, to keep us within their own limited vision of how the world should be. Right Wing Organizations, From right wing watch
Galileo was in good company, we can link the greatest of scientists to some of the greatest contoversies....
HERESY! THREE MODERN GALILEOS
Galileo project
And just to be clear
My point in this diary is not to attack the church, it is merely an attempt (albeit a clumsy one perhaps) to draw attention to the methodology of attack on ideas and science, to cry out for sanity in a world where Ideology is used to combat data and research. A small weapon in the arsenal of those who may find themselves arguing with someone who chooses to beleive only what they are told by those who have no interest in mankind, but only their own narrow world veiw, or their bank accounts. History is our teacher. We mustn't ever forget these hard earned lessons.
We dont have 350 years, to prove the science to be correct to the ones with the blinders. If they are right, lets have a big party. If they are wrong....There wont be any ice for the drinks.
In the meanwhile, if you have names of scientists who are being swiftboated along with their research, feel free to post them! Along with your favourite Flat earth societies of course!