[mbraynard]

The problem with Galileo was pretty overstated and in part of his own making. The pope at the time actually supported him and his attempt to explain heliocentrism, but when Galileo openly (though seemingly unintentionally) mocked that Pope he lost his defender and was then briefly jailed and then put under house arrest where he continued his studies and writing.

On the flip side, the Church actually apologized for this - something you almost never see other such organized religions doing. I think the Southern Baptist Convention apologized for racism at one point. Anyway, being wrong is one thing but being able to admit it, rectify it, and recognize you are a religion of sinners is another.

[tacticalogic]

IIRC, Galileo wasn't simply "jailed briefly", but forced to publicly recant his own theories under threat of excommunication. I fully appreciate that the Church realized it's mistake and tried to make it right. I just don't care for what appears to be revisionist "spin" that seems intent on leaving the impression that such things have simply never happened.