Geocentrism poll results

[trth_skr]

43.5% Polled on Catholic Apologetics Forum are Open to the Possibility of Geocentrism

43.5% Polled on Catholic Apologetics Forum are Open to the Possibility of Geocentrism Catholic Truths Mark Wyatt, Dec. 23rd, 2005 OK, granted, the poll was not scientific, and the results are clearly skewed to a population sample who studies, has some understanding (and interest), or at least an awareness of these things. Still, the results are interesting and worth looking at a little closer. The poll was conducted on the Catholic Answers forum from Dec. 19th through Dec.23rd, 2005…

www.veritas-catholic.blogspot.com

Mark

 

[JimG]

The poll might be more meaningful if given to a representative sampling of professional physicists.

 

[trth_skr]

JimG:

The poll might be more meaningful if given to a representative sampling of professional physicists.

True. If they were competent, then more of them would say that science has not disproven geocentrism.

Mark
www.veritas-catholic.blogspot.com

 

[zian]

:yawn:

 

[Ianjo99]

46 individuals hardly constitutes a diverse sampling.

In fact, I would reckon that I could find 46 (100 percent of those who replied) people who would agree with pretty much anything.

Not to dissuade you from your noble quest of attempting to ressurect a 300 year old dead theory, of course.

You may one day be counted among the great Physicists for recognizing the possibility against all odds. Chances are far greater, however, that you are wrong, and that you are doing this not only to waste time on an apologetics board, but also to attempt to twist the Church’s condemnation of Galelio into a righteous act and therefore solidfy a need for absolute impeccability on the Church’s part.

 

[trth_skr]

46 individuals hardly constitutes a diverse sampling.

In fact, I would reckon that I could find 46 (100 percent of those who replied) people who would agree with pretty much anything.

Not to dissuade you from your noble quest of attempting to ressurect a 300 year old dead theory, of course.

You may one day be counted among the great Physicists for recognizing the possibility against all odds. Chances are far greater, however, that you are wrong, and that you are doing this not only to waste time on an apologetics board, but also to attempt to twist the Church’s condemnation of Galelio into a righteous act and therefore solidfy a need for absolute impeccability on the Church’s part.

If science could demonstrate movement of the earth (in a manner distinguishable from counter movement of the universe), then maybe you would have a point.

As it stands, there is no absolute rerference in the universe, so we just do not know what is moving and what is not.

Under such circumstances, why not at least give the three popes who supported geocentrism (not to mention the fathers) at least the benefit of doubt, at least to the point of having an open mind to what they proclaimed (purportedly under guidance from the Holy Spirit).

Also, this went beyond just Galileo; though he was a key player in it. Funny thing is, he recanted a year before he died and came back to the Church’s position.

Mark
www.veritas-catholic.blogspot.com

 

[Ianjo99]

trth_skr:

If science could demonstrate movement of the earth (in a manner distinguishable from counter movement of the universe), then maybe you would have a point.

As it stands, there is no absolute rerference in the universe, so we just do not know what is moving and what is not.

Under such circumstances, why not at least give the three popes who supported geocentrism (not to mention the fathers) at least the benefit of doubt, at least to the point of having an open mind to what they proclaimed (purportedly under guidance from the Holy Spirit).

Also, this went beyond just Galileo; though he was a key player in it. Funny thing is, he recanted a year before he died and came back to the Church’s position.

Mark
www.veritas-catholic.blogspot.com

It doesn’t matter what the fathers or the popes have said about it because none of them has infallibility over science. If this were a theological matter I would be inclined to agree. I won’t believe them on something like this just because they held a high position in the Church. Especially since the fathers didn’t have the advantage of 1700 years of physics.

Even if Galileo recanted, it wouldn’t make a difference as to whether what he said was true or not. That would be like saying evolution is wrong because Darwin recanted (which some say he did).

I’m no physicist, and don’t intend on becoming one in order to prove you wrong.

 

[trth_skr]

Ianjo99:

It doesn’t matter what the fathers or the popes have said about it because none of them has infallibility over science. If this were a theological matter I would be inclined to agree. I won’t believe them on something like this just because they held a high position in the Church.

Scriptural interpretation is a matter of faith and morals- even in matters of physical things.

Ianjo99:

Especially since the fathers didn’t have the advantage of 1700 years of physics.

The 1700 (actually about 340 from Alexander VII’s Bull) years of physics still have not provided the demonstration that Bellarmine asked for.

Ianjo99:

…
I’m no physicist, and don’t intend on becoming one in order to prove you wrong.

The top physicists do not say that geocentrism is wrong. In fact they say it is just as right as heliocentrism or any other centrism. The only issue is whether geocertism is absolute. which the Church says it is (they have not recanted that position; though some private opinions likely have changed).

Mark
www.veritas-catholic.blogspot.com

 

[pnewton]

The poll reflects the wording of the poll more than any trend. “I am open” is can mean nothing more than a declaration that a person is open-minded irrespective of topic.

Try this for a poll.

The earth is the center of the universe.
The earth is not the center of the universe.
Undecided.

You would get a more accurate and less tainted result.

 

[trth_skr]

pnewton:

The poll reflects the wording of the poll more than any trend. “I am open” is can mean nothing more than a declaration that a person is open-minded irrespective of topic.

Try this for a poll.

The earth is the center of the universe.
The earth is not the center of the universe.
Undecided.

You would get a more accurate and less tainted result.

Saying you are “open to geocentrism” rather than it has been “disproven” or “you accept science’s opinion against it” is a pretty deliberate choice.

Your poll leaves little for secondary analysis.

Mark
www.veritas-catholic.blogspot.com

 

[pnewton]

trth_skr:

Your poll leaves little for secondary analysis.

Mark
www.veritas-catholic.blogspot.com

You are correct and that’s my point. Polls should check one thing at a time. Survey to see current opinion about geocentrism or survey to see how generally open people are here. Do both simultaniously and you do not know which is being responded to.

I guess it really doesn’t matter too much though. The polls here are just for fun and have no real value.