Free Response Practice Essay

Explain how the trials and tribulations of Galileo pointed towards the future of Europe, while at the same time, demonstrated the realities of his own time.

The trials of Galileo took place during a time of turmoil between the Church and the secular world. Italy was experiencing a Renaissance and people were now more focused on secular things rather than religious, secular meaning worldly, and non-religious. Galileo was one of the prime free-thinkers, and regarded by some as the father of modern science. His discoveries lead to the scientific revolution. The Church was against most of his discoveries, as they contradicted many of the Churches most hallowed traditions. Galileo's trials were a symbol of the times Europe was experiencing, where modern science was beginning to form, and the original Church had its control start to slip from its grasp.
Galileo's trial took place in the middle of the Reformation. In the Reformation, people were starting to question the beliefs of the Church instead of just follow its laws without question. Before the Renaissance, faith was the only thing that most people had, but with the Renaissance, people's sole purpose was not longer just to get into heaven. People became more secular. The Church also was losing some it its longest traditions because of modern science. Galileo backed up the ideas of Copernicus, that the Sun was the center of the universe. The Church damned these ideas, saying that Christian belief states that the Earth is the center. However, no where in Scripture does it say that the Earth is the center.
Europe was torn between moving with the times, and keeping with its Church tradition during the time of Galileo. Many were focused on art, and inventions, while the clergy still kept its hold on things. It used to be that the clergy had the run of the law, now it was the secular world. Modern science was beginning to take its form. The Church was highly against the scientists because they were under the impression that there is no place in the world for science and religion to coexist peacefully. Scientists were often put on trial, just like Galileo, for their ideas that the Church found a "problem" with.
Galileo's trials moved Europe towards the future. Modern science began with Galileo. Some call him the father of modern science. Galileo discovered Jupiter with his new invention, the telescope. Modern science has discovered 4 planets since Galileo built his first telescope. Modern science has improved on his telescope more than Galileo could have ever imagined. He was one of the first people to practice physics. He expanded of the Heliocentric idea of Copernicus, and backed it up with enough facts that it has been proven to be correct. Most of the ideas Galileo discovered, and theorized are taught in schools today. Since Galileo's trial, the Church and science have not tried to coexist, some believe they can, but after his trial, most believed they cannot. As a result, he was excommunicated. If it was not for Galileo, we would not have modern science at all, and would still be living in a world dominated by the Church's teachings
Galileo is most likely the most important figure concerning modern science, and the battle between The Church and science. Galileo has since been acquitted, and had his full honor restored by the Church. Pope John Paul II remarked he wished that the Church had handled his trial much better. Galileo's ideas were in a sense, Europe moving forward, and the Church's argument against him, trying to cling on to the old ways, even though they were dying and on life support as it was.