"Fathers of Science"

[Anselm33]

There is a fine post on the blog “Strange Notions” about Catholic priests who have advanced the cause of science, Fathers of Science from medieval times (Fr. Robert Grossteste) to more recent (Fr. Gregor Mendel, founder of genetics; Fr. Georges Lemaitre, proponent of the “Big Bang” theory; Fr. Michael Heller, cosmologist and theologian, winner of this year’s Templeton Prize). A number of others are listed,

 

[4love2God]

Sure, about 20 years ago, I read a lengthy Article about many of the Beliefs that the Catholic Church had in regards to the latest Scientific Research of the day.

IN a way it is Silly … and in another way it is holding on to what you KNOW to be True (even in the Face of devastating Proof otherwise).

When Galileo “looked” at the Moon, and saw Craters, this did NOT fit into the Church’s belief.
When Galileo saw Moons rotating around Jupiter, that was un-welcome News.
When “Sun-spots” were documented, NOOO!
The Sun is PERFECT**; **therefore it cannot have Sun-spots.

From this to Darwin, whom although some of his Theories are fully accepted by the Catholic Church, the idea that Man was evolved from Monkeys, is STILL a little hard to swallow.

And, certainly many Scientists were also Catholics (or Protestants), made Progress in Science for their work in their Field of discovery.

 

[oldcelt]

Gregor Mendel has always been a personal favorite because he essentially invented all his methods. Those methods are still used, with minor adaptations, to this day. A natural scientist.

The Church has had a spotty relationship with science, but perhaps no more than anybody else. Discoveries over the last 200 years have shaken previous beliefs and everyone has had to adjust. The Church has done about as well as anyone else while actually advancing discovery,; few other organizations can say the same. I’d give them a b- over this point.

Earlier, not so good, but again, society as a whole was hard to convince. Naturally, the Church had a bit more power to “harass” scientists. In this era I give them a C-.

 

[agnes_therese]

From this to Darwin, whom although some of his Theories are fully accepted by the Catholic Church, the idea that Man was evolved from Monkeys, is STILL a little hard to swallow.

Actually, that’s a common misunderstanding. The theory of evolution states that humans and monkeys evolved from a common ancestor. Not the same thing at all as evolving from monkeys.

 

[JediSisko]

When Galileo “looked” at the Moon, and saw Craters, this did NOT fit into the Church’s belief.
When Galileo saw Moons rotating around Jupiter, that was un-welcome News.
When “Sun-spots” were documented, NOOO!
The Sun is PERFECT**; **therefore it cannot have Sun-sp

And, certainly many Scientists were also Catholics (or Protestants), made Progress in Science for their work in their Field of discovery.

Galileo’s findings were not interpreted this way by the Church. Galileo was placed under house arrest cause he wouldn’t allow the Pope to place a forward in his book. He was still able and allowed to continue his scientific study during this time. So saying his discoveries were anti-religion is a bunch of make believe.

 

[VeritasLuxMea]

Anselm33:

There is a fine post on the blog “Strange Notions” about Catholic priests who have advanced the cause of science, Fathers of Science from medieval times (Fr. Robert Grossteste) to more recent (Fr. Gregor Mendel, founder of genetics; Fr. Georges Lemaitre, proponent of the “Big Bang” theory; Fr. Michael Heller, cosmologist and theologian, winner of this year’s Templeton Prize). A number of others are listed,

That is a wonderful post. Thanks for sharing.

Actually, that’s a common misunderstanding. The theory of evolution states that humans and monkeys evolved from a common ancestor. Not the same thing at all as evolving from monkeys.

Correct. Many of those who are protesting the teaching of theory of evolution don’t even know what it is that they’re protesting. This is a major problem in the U.S. and reflects very poorly on our school system. Though, in fairness, perhaps these educators would be doing better if they didn’t have to compete with the anti-scientific Christian culture that exists in the U.S.

 

[VeritasLuxMea]

Galileo’s findings were not interpreted this way by the Church. Galileo was placed under house arrest cause he wouldn’t allow the Pope to place a forward in his book.

Huh? Where are you getting that from?

Here’s the reason for his sentence, as declared by the Tribunal of the Supreme Inquisition against Galileo Galilei:

fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1630galileo.asp

We say, pronounce, sentence, and declare, that thou, the said Galileo, by the things deduced during this trial, and by thee confessed as above, hast rendered thyself vehemently suspected of heresy by this Holy Office, that is, of having believed and held a doctrine which is false, and contrary to the Holy Scriptures, to wit: that the Sun is the centre of the universe, and that it does not move from east to west, and that the Earth moves and is not the centre of the universe: and that an opinion may be held and defended as probable after having been declared and defined as contrary to Holy Scripture; and in consequence thou hast incurred all the censures and penalties of the Sacred Canons, and other Decrees both general and particular, against such offenders imposed and promulgated. From the which We are content that thou shouldst be absolved, if, first of all, with a sincere heart and unfeigned faith, thou dost before Us abjure, curse, and detest the above-mentioned errors and heresies and any other error and heresy contrary to the Catholic and Apostolic Roman Church, after the manner that We shall require of thee.

I don’t see anything about not allowing the Pope to place a forward in his book.

 

[orang]

I basically don’t believe the impressions which are suggested in today’s world in this area at all. It is always the sketchy unsure which make the most noise and get the most attention. My brother is a leading world chemist, a full Catholic spending lots of time in St Vin de Paul, He sent me a note once oh…two years ago, when on a sabbatical from work, the other scientists were terrific and they met the leader of St Vin de Paul , he said it was the best part of the trip. Quiet people don’t go around talking about things all the time, and also I really do think if a survey of this nature came across his desk or lab, he would say how the heck did this get in here ? will somebody fill this out and barely look at it. I don’t think the general public has an idea how much work and focus is going on with a scientist and head of dept. He made a big discovery, we talk about the values in the faith all the time. So its really just a bamboozle, then…all the ideas to make some money on the shows addressing what is assumed clueless people in a boat with no oars, so it becomes a snowball of suggestions that can be reduced as usual to the doe rae me !

 

[4love2God]

VeritasLuxMea usefully Posted : "Huh? Where are you getting that from?
Here’s the reason for his sentence, as declared by the Tribunal of the Supreme Inquisition against Galileo Galilei…"

Thank you for your Post, which explains the “Official” Reason for Galileo’s Life-Time House Arrest.
I read his Post, and I began to wonder how to kindly respond to it … then I saw your Response.

Yes, the invention of the Telescope brought NEW Things into Light.
Unfortunately, there was TOO MUCH Light, and everyone in the Church was Blinded by the Light.
Finally, a while after the Death of Galileo, the Church “Saw the Light”, and admitted that the Earth rotates around the Sun.

And, the idea of the Sun rising into the Sky each day, STILL seems True to me Today.
Even our Language about the “Sun Rise” perpetuates this Fiction.
I am hoping (well, a little bit, anyway) that our phraseology will Change to Earth-rising-by-Rotation, and Earth-setting.