Class 9/10

In his letter to the grand duchess Christina of Tuscany, Galileo sought to defend Copernicus's heliocentric theory of the solar system. The Heliocentric theory was created to bring different perspective on pre-existing theories involving the universe. Copernicus wanted people to become interested in finding truths and new discoveries regarding science. The grand duchess had criticized the theory of discrediting the church and trying to overthrow religion. Galileo sought to defend the theory, saying that he only wanted to bring greater knowledge in the understandings of the Bible. Unfortunately, the letter was met with displeasure, as the Church saw Galileo as a threat and felt he was trying to disprove the Church, the bible, and religion in general. His argument was that many were taking the bible too literally. In the letter, he asks why would God give us the ability to search and explore, to discover things for ourself if everything was handed to us in a single book?