The Roman Catholic Church's primary reaction to the ideas developed by Galileo and other scientists during the Scientific Revolution was one of resistance and condemnation. The Church held significant authority and saw the heliocentric model proposed by Galileo, which placed the Sun at the center of the universe rather than the Earth, as conflicting with its theological teachings and the interpretation of Scripture.
In particular, Galileo's support for heliocentrism led to his trial by the Inquisition in 1633, where he was found "vehemently suspect of heresy" and subsequently placed under house arrest. This reaction reflected the broader tension between scientific inquiry and religious doctrine at the time, as the Church sought to maintain its influence and control over educational and cosmological narratives. Ultimately, the Church's stance contributed to a longer historical debate about the relationship between science and religion.
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