This year, 2009, is the 400th anniversary of the first use of the telescope by Galileo.
This year is also the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin.
While popular media has devoted much attention to Darwin’s anniversary, Creation magazine decided to counter-point that anniversary with an article on Galileo.
Now, my good friend, Jamie, recently termed Creation magazine as–and I’m paraphrasing here–a worthless piece of garbage. I’m sorry if I didn’t get the intent right, but it was a serious accusation.
I haven’t read the magazine in a while so when I saw this article I had my hopes and doubts as to how well the organization would handle history in terms of Galileo’s dealings with the church.
The article was “The Galileo Quadricentennial \ Myth vs Fact“. When I read “Myth vs Fact”, I was a little apprehennsive about what they would deem “facts” and what they would deem “myths”. But, I was not to be disappointed.
To their credit, Creation magazine has written a well thought out, well referenced article on the topic.
I recommend reading it.
Prior to reading the article, I had a low opinion of the catholic church at that time just being sticks in the mud and I was glad they got what they deserved in that Galileo and his ideas went on to become backbones of science.
After reading the article, I have to say I probably didn’t have the whole story on the catholic church. I have a little more respect and, I imagine, a little more well-rounded perspective on the people involved in that institution. Some perhaps were not good men, but others seem to have been very sincere in wanting the truth.
To that goal I raise a pint.
Not that I called Creation garbage, but really one sided in a very harsh way. Discrediting science in every way possible in a “na na na na na na” childish way.