I was reading this article in the LA TImes about a group of “Catholics” who reject heliocentrism in favor of geocentrism because the Bible says so or something. I it was a joke until…

First the lead in…

A few conservative Roman Catholics are pointing to a dozen Bible verses and the church’s original teachings as proof that Earth is the center of the universe, the view that was at the heart of the church’s clash with Galileo Galilei four centuries ago.

The relatively obscure movement has gained a following among those who find comfort in knowing there are still staunch defenders of early church doctrine.

“This subject is, as far as I can see, an embarrassment to the modern church because the world more or less looks upon geocentrism, or someone who believes it, in the same boat as the flat Earth,” said James Phillips ofCicero, Ill.

There is nothing conservative or Catholic about this silly point of view. Honestly, I thought that these people must be having a little fun at somebody’s expense until I read this paragraph.

Those promoting geocentrism argue that heliocentrism, or the centuries-old consensus among scientists that Earth revolves around the sun, is a conspiracy to squelch the church’s influence.

“Heliocentrism becomes dangerous if it is being propped up as the true system when, in fact, it is a false system,” said Robert Sungenis, leader of a budding movement to get scientists to reconsider. “False information leads to false ideas, and false ideas lead to illicit and immoral actions — thus the state of the world today.… Prior to Galileo, the church was in full command of the world, and governments and academia were subservient to her.”

Sungenis? I guess picking on the Jews all the time gets boring so one has to have his hobbies.

Why can’t we be satisfied to make the case that Galileo was a jerk who purposefully picked a fight with a Pope who initially supported him.

Truth is that Galileo was a tool but Sungenis is a bigger one.