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Entry: The Galileo Myth Link: http://www.takimag.com/site/article/the_galileo_myth#16193 Post contents: Cognate, How well does the statment you quoted agree with Luther's behavior, when he stood in front of the Emperor and refused to obey both the Emperor and the Pope? The moral message of Luther's behavior used to be very widely known: there are situations when you have to follow your conscience and disobey all earthly authorities, even when that disobedience may cost your life. It took time for the implications of Luther's idea (for which there are many medieval Catholic precedents) to be developed fully. Luther, for example, found it difficult to comprehend that people's consciences could require them to disobey him. In 17th century England, however, preachers were emphatically requiring people to follow their consciences in all situations -- including those where their consciences required them to disobey the person making that statement. (The source of this emphasis on individual decision-making is the last judgement, but explaining the details of that connection is impossible in the space available here.) Sent at: 2008 12 02