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Then they should have just published their own objections. This in no way justifies the persecution of Galileo, which was basically akin to the Soviet persecuti

Then they should have just published their own objections. This in no way justifies the persecution of Galileo, which was basically akin to the Soviet persecution of Sakharov -- like him he was under house arrest and forbidden to interact with the scientific community at large.

anovikov 7y ago
Sakharov wasn't persecuted for his scientific views. Just because he became an anti-Communist (and a pretty crazy one).
- mcv 7y ago
  In a way the same is true for Galileo: he was only really prosecuted after writing a book in which he called the pope (who was up til that point friendly and open to his views) a fool.
  - anovikov 7y ago
    Bad lesson from this (completely valid) analogy: by 1970s, Communism has become a full-blown religion, with it's pseudo-scientific roots being thoroughly debunked, but politicians resting on them stubbornly refusing to give way.
    - Piskvorrr 7y ago
      That's not even a bad lesson: it is possible to interpret Communism as a radical Christian sect, which, having done away with God altogether, tries to build Heaven on earth. This way, its core beliefs do make sense...or rather, they're internally consistent.