For sure, it was "just a theory," as creationists like to dismiss the theory of evolution, even though this Copernican theory was as unassailable as science as heliocentricity was dangerous to theology.

Even the “Catholic Encyclopedia” admits, "His attitude of mind towards religious truth was that of a rationalist." To Bruno it would have been easier for him to change his sex than to change his mind.

"It vexes me when they [clerics] would constrain science by the authority of the Scriptures," wrote Galileo, "and yet do not consider themselves bound to answer reason and experiment."

Sir George Grove says, "of formal or dogmatic religion we can find no trace," in Schubert's short life. Of creeds, "Not a word of it is true," said Schubert.

one could pay money, get change, and receive a piece of paper with which one got remission of sin. The price is stipulated and there is no indulgence without "alms." That sounds like a sale.

You can search in vain for any more "religious" inspiration in Mozart's Requiem than can be found in his Little Night Music, Magic Flute or Jupiter Symphony.

This post is based on The Catholic Encyclopedia entry on "Atheism". To better understand my rant, I suggest that you head over to this web page and read up in their entry. If you are a Freethinker, I guarantee it will not take you long into the article before you start shaking your head in […]

Boniface VIII Becomes Pope (1295) It was on this date, January 23, 1295, that Boniface VIII (Benedetto Gaetano) was made Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He was born about 1235 in Agnani, Italy, and served the papacy for many years as a canon lawyer. On the death of Nicholas IV, Celestine V, a pious […]

Don Juan was described by a contemporary as "a school of Atheism." Tartuffe so stirred up the clergy that some clerics wanted the playwright burned as a heretic! Instead, he was excommunicated.

Andreas Vesalius died at age 49 in Zakinthos, Greece. He had reached Jerusalem, but never made it back home. You could say Vesalius died for the church that persecuted him.