Michael Shuler
History 100
Rushford
April 7, 2009
In the trial concerning Galileo Galilei I conclude that the defendant is guilty of going against the Pope and the Catholic Church. The prosecution presented an argument stating the defendant has gone directly against the word of the church several times. Galileo was given multiple chances to recant his claims of a heliocentric universe, which he did but later restated his Copernican believes. Galileo in a written statement swore to never spread his works in the Copernican theory, and as soon as a new Pope was appointed Galileo acted as if he was no longer bounded by his oath. It is also documented that Galileo has also stated in his letters that he does not believe in the truth of the bible, saying scripture words "which are false in their literal meaning. “ This statement shows that Galileo does not believe in what the bible is saying. In addition Galileo took his relationship with the new Pope of granted, because he believed that since they had a personal relationship he could openly mock the Pope. In his last published work he made a mockery of the church and by doing so he made a mockery of the Catholic Church.
The defense counter argued these statements by saying that one the written oath that was signed was lifted as soon as a new Pope took office. They argued that an assistant form the office of the Pope sent Galileo a letter stating that he was free to continue his work on the Copernican theory and he was no longer bounded by the written document. Secondly the defense argues that the letters in question were altered by father Lorini and are not accurate. The defense says that the original wording of the letters were “Scripture words which, taken in the strict literal meaning, look as if they differed from the truth." Finally the defense argues that Galileo and the Pope were indeed good friends and often ad debates. The defense argued that the Pope actually encouraged the defendant to write...