Blog Post 5- Galileo

"The little monk: ...they draw the strength they need to carry their baskets sweating up the stony tracks, to bear children and even to eat, from the feeling of stability and necessity that comes of looing at the soil, at the annual greening of the trees and at the little church, and of listening to the bible passages read there every Sunday. They have been assured that God's eye is always on them...." (pg 62)
"The little monk (indicating a passage in the papers): I don't understand this sentence
Galileo: I'll explain it to you, I'll explain it to you." (pg 65)

I think that the stark contrast between the little monk at the beginning of the scene and the end of the scene is very interesting, as well as amusing. In the beginning, he argues in favor of the Church, suggesting that poorer peasants, like his parents, need religion because they need order and something to believe in. Without their faith, peasants would feel like there is no reason why they should be at the bottom of the social hierarchy, which in turn would create chaos. However, by the end of the scene the little monk is trying to decipher Galileo's papers and is receptive to learning about astrology. I think that this goes to show the influence that science can have on people who are willing to accept it as fact. What is especially interesting to me is the fact that this scene is relevant today (sadly). There are people who believe in religion over science or don't believe in science at all. For example, flat Earthers or people who are anti-vaccines are similar in that they don't believe in science. A more specific example would be political figures disregarding climate change as a means of keeping power, which is what the Church did in Galileo. I think that this scene shows the importance of being open to science and accepting it as true and factual.