In 1633 Galileo Galilei was tried before the congregation for the doctrine of the faith for teaching that the earth orbits the sun.
I am sure that the above date proved an important, pivotal even, day in the life of the aformentioned scientist. I would also suggest that this date is important in History. The history of science, religion and humankind. But is this issue relevant today? or is it just 'history', the past?
I am just struck by the relevance of this issue today. Galileo was essentially persecuted for his beliefs. Beliefs that he believed were based on fact. How much have we really moved on? This is the technological age where we are looking at building commercial flights to the International Space Station. Everybody owns a 'Smartphone' and digital technology is moving forward at an amazing speed.
Even in 2010 persecution is still rife. A Seattle Cartoonist has now changed her name and gone into hiding as a result of death threats from Islamic extremists. What was her crime? To simply produce a satirical piece on the prophet Mohammed, Peace be upon Him.
I think the fundamental similarity here is that despite the fact that we live in a society based upon the premise of freedom of speech; human nature is such that people do not react rationally when confronted by ideas that are too different from there own.
I would like to hear from anyone about their thoughts on this matter, or with examples of when they have witnessed or experienced a level of persecution/hostility due to their ideas.
To misquote Edmund Burke (1729-1797): Those that choose to ignore History are destined to re-live it. An interesting thought for today the anniversary of HG Wells' birth - 21st Spetember 1866. For we are truly living through a Cultural 'War of the Worlds', where other celebrities whose Birthdays also coincide with Wells' like Liam Gallagher and Rikki Lake have arguably had more input into our shared collective cultural unconscious. Or should that be conscience? An interesting polyglot of words if ever there was. For it is only by analysing Religion 'with science' that we are truly able to strike a balance between those warring elements of our natures. In our War of the Worlds - Tradition versus Progress. Who will win out? Without respect and understanding for our collective cultural, religious, and scientific Traditions there can be no Progress for us. This is evidenced in the seemingly constant harrassment of those figures who dare to rail at us from the margins; those figures that our shared collective religious traditions reveal to us as either Prophets or Cassandras. Do we proceed without heed to the warnings? Are we therefore pre-destined to fulfill Cassandra's cruel fate? Or do we heed the warnings and learn the lessons of our Prophets and re-invent ourselves for this now no-longer new Century? As always we must strike a balance. Dialogue not Diatribe is the order for Today.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments Primus. I think you have it spot on with your urges for a constructive dialogue on all things.
ReplyDeleteHow possible is this? Are we not groomed across the world in every single society in the acceptable social mores of any given time and place?
Can the media be seen as a reflection of current social values? or are they partly to blame in an age of sensationalism of stirring up conflict to facilitate a good story? This is an age old debate.
Prominant figures and establishments everywhere are using every social medium possible to exert influence and shape the way people think? Who really decides what is a threat to ones beliefs? Is it those who govern and shape our beliefs, i.e the collective, or the individual?
Do you even know what the word "polyglot" means, or were you alt+tabbing to the thesaurus?
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