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after Luther but before the 30 Years War

Of course - I must somehow have switched the years around. But we Swedes always connect the reformation with Gustavus Adolphus, so perhaps I was subconsciously showing my "Swedishness" or something ;)

the harsh treatment of Galileo was a reaction to the anti-heliocentric attitude of Luther

How could the geocentric views of Luther ever have caused the Catholic church to go down harder on the helicentric Galileo? They could of course have said that "since even the heretics thinks the earth is the center, it must be so", but I can't see them ever confirming their own beliefs using "heretics".

I think I disagree with you on this point [...] the way the theory was foisted on me in high school

I can of course only speak for myself and the way evolution was presented in the Swedish school. We had no "disclaimers" but were taught what a theory is. That is, that it's not fact. We even had one of the principal creationist proponents in Sweden, an archaeologist(!), come to our class and present his views. In that kind of climate, I think it's a whole lot easier to develop the minds of our young.

Meanwhile you couldn't even sing a Christmas carol.

That's sad. One of the things I remember most clearly from my first few years in school is how we always sang a psalm first thing in the morning. And this in a public school in "socialist" Sweden :)

We even had one of the principal creationist proponents in Sweden, an archaeologist(!), come to our class and present his views.

You do know how he would be expected to be treated by the Darwininians here, of course?

not only should he have been suspended, he should have been fired and then blacklisted from ever teaching a science class again, ANYWHERE!!

How could the geocentric views of Luther ever have caused the Catholic church to go down harder on the helicentric Galileo?

Again it was only from a quick scan and I can't remember the site. My impression was that the Catholics felt the need to come down on heliocentricity in order to maintain credibility with potential Protestant converts. But I could have read it wrong. When I get to my home computer I'll try & track down the site.

I can of course only speak for myself and the way evolution was presented in the Swedish school. We had no "disclaimers" but were taught what a theory is.

I think you've got to the root of the problem. Namely American public schools. Dr. Frank had a very good suggestion a few posts back which sounds akin to your experience. I doubt it would be instituted here. It would require too much work by the NEA members.

That's sad. One of the things I remember most clearly from my first few years in school is how we always sang a psalm first thing in the morning. And this in a public school in "socialist" Sweden :)

Now, I'm sad.