Contrary to what some might believe…I think the past definitely influences the future. It’s easy to say, you should forget and forgive, but remembering the past is an innate built-in quality of humans. Just think about it, how else would you know not to touch a hot iron? You depend on your past experiences to figure that out.
Quote of the Day:

“When we look on the past the future often reveals the illusions of the past and when such illusions are revealed all of us in the present tend to look on the people of the past as being primitive–not realizing that many of us would have been as duped as they were if we had been there. A thousand years ago many of us would have blindly accepted the decree of the Pope that the world was flat. This is an important point to remember when seeking the truth in the present.”  -JJ Dewey
After reading this quote, I thought to myself “Was the church promoting a ‘flat world’ at one time?”

Some research took me to this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_affair

To summarize Wikipedia:
In 1610, Galileo published his Sidereus Nuncius (Starry Messenger), describing the surprising observations that he had made with the new telescope. These and other discoveries exposed major difficulties with the understanding of the heavens that had been held since antiquity, and raised new interest in radical teachings such as the heliocentric theory of Copernicus.

In reaction, many scholars attacked the theory because it seemingly contradicted several passages of Scripture. Galileo’s part in the controversies over theology, astronomy, and philosophy culminated in his trial and sentencing in 1633 on a grave suspicion of heresy.

So at one time, it seems like the church thought the earth was the center of the universe? As a Muslim, I’m thinking how can this happen if Christians believe that the word of Pope is basically the same as the word of God? Am I wrong in thinking Catholics think the Pope relays messages from God? Wouldn’t God know that the earth is not flat and the sun is the center, not the earth? From what I can gather from forum postings I came across, Catholics explain this by saying that the Pope can be wrong in some cases. It’s explained by the concept of Papal infallibility

I found another explanation from someone named “Catholic Mythbuster” on Yahoo Answers

Infallibility, according to the Catholic Church, means that the Pope (and the decisions of an ecumenical council in agreement with the Pope) cannot err in a teaching on FAITH OR MORALS that is intended as binding on all Catholics.

It’s not the same as “inspiration.” We don’t believe that the Pope speaks with the voice of the Holy Spirit. And it doesn’t guarantee that the pope will be morally perfect, or even especially intelligent or wise. Infallibility is a supernatural gift granted by God’s grace alone, for His purposes, in order to uphold and make known (with certainty, in faith) His spiritual and theological truth.
Source

Maybe I’m not understanding this concept properly. Feel free to correct me and share your opinions.

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