h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Copernicus - the sun and the stars are at rest but the Earth moves
- lets publish and be damned! So started the row between the scientists
and the Catholic Church on this subject.The idea that the Earth is not
in a specially favoured position and can be considered to be in a typical position
in the Universe. As Copernicus had died in the year his theory was
published, it was Galileo who tried to persuade the church that
they must come to terms with the new Copernican astronomy.

In 1616 the experts of the Inquistion were required to consider two propositions:

1 that the Sun is the centre of the Universe and hence is immovable

2 that the Earth is not the centre of the Universe, nor motionless, but moves, and
turns daily on its axis

The inquisition experts answered

The first propostion is foolish and philosophically absurd, and formally heretical
inasmuch as it expressly contradicts many passages in Holy Scipture.

The second proposition receives the same censure in philosophy and is
declared at least erroneous in faith.

359 years later the Catholic Church admitted that it was wrong to condemn Galileo
for asserting that the earth orbits the sun

May I add to the topic by mis-quoting the great Guide (you know, the Don't Panic one):

Proof denies Faith. Without Faith I don't exist, said God, and promptly disappeared in a puff of logic.

I say that the Scientists should lay off the God-botherers, and let them have their fun.

... although I do think that the Inquisition did transecend the normally accepted boundaries of pleasant recreation

"God botherers" - actually its the organised religions that I have the problem
with ignorance and not god as it does actually talk...