Religion and Science

In the world today, it is easier for us to accept the cold hard facts (at least that is what we think they are) of science rather than the word of ancient texts that seem strange in their claims. But think like your Greek (or Italian, since that was what Galileo was). The church expects money from you and in return, promise this great afterlife. The church denounces many aspects of science and tells it followers to do the same. Science can not be seen (not everyone had telescopes and little lab kits), and usually only read about in underground texts. So why shouldn't the Italians of the sixteenth century accept the word of their priest (who guarantees them all these great things) over the word of an outcast (who makes outrageous claims that seem to have no evidence).

Part of the problem with the church accepting Galileo's interpretation of the solar system was that the faith in the church was slowly eroding. Also, its not like Galileo's reputation with the last Pope was too stellar to begin with. But what is the church's problem with science in the first place? Is the fact that the Catholic leaders thought that accepting science as truth would decrease their power? Or did they just hate change within the church because it was such a pain to convince every one that they were correct? Or did the leaders honestly believe (deep down in their very pure souls) that science was inherently bad and false? hmmm.... I think that Pope Urban may have had his own agenda in not banishing Galileo....