Which statement BEST explains the Roman Catholic Church's primary reaction to the ideas developed by Galileo and other scientists of the scientific revolution? (2 points)
A. • The Catholic Church saw the scientific method as a threat to their political power in Europe.
B. • The Catholic Church saw new astronomical ideas as heresy because they contradicted the literal word of the Bible.
C. O The Catholic Church saw the scientific revolution as insignificant and not a threat to their teachings.
D. • The Catholic Church blamed Protestants for heretical ideas and sought to eradicate them.
B. • The Catholic Church saw new astronomical ideas as heresy because they contradicted the literal word of the Bible.
B. • The Catholic Church saw new astronomical ideas as heresy because they contradicted the literal word of the Bible.
To determine the best answer, let's look at each statement and analyze its accuracy.
A. The Catholic Church saw the scientific method as a threat to their political power in Europe.
This statement is not the best explanation of the Roman Catholic Church's reaction to the scientific revolution. While it is true that the Church had significant political influence during that time, their primary reaction to the scientific ideas was not driven by concerns over political power.
B. The Catholic Church saw new astronomical ideas as heresy because they contradicted the literal word of the Bible.
This statement provides a more accurate explanation of the Roman Catholic Church's primary reaction. The Church indeed viewed some of Galileo's and other scientists' ideas, particularly those relating to astronomy, as contradicting the literal interpretation of the Bible. They held a geocentric worldview, as opposed to the heliocentric model proposed by Galileo.
C. The Catholic Church saw the scientific revolution as insignificant and not a threat to their teachings.
This statement is not the best explanation either. The Catholic Church did not see the scientific revolution as insignificant or completely non-threatening to their teachings. While they resisted some scientific ideas, they also made efforts to reconcile scientific discoveries with their own theological interpretations.
D. The Catholic Church blamed Protestants for heretical ideas and sought to eradicate them.
This statement is also not the best explanation. While religious conflict and disagreements did exist between Catholics and Protestants during this period, blaming Protestants for heretical ideas and seeking to eradicate them was not the primary reaction of the Catholic Church to the scientific revolution.
Based on the above analysis, the best answer is B. The Catholic Church saw new astronomical ideas as heresy because they contradicted the literal word of the Bible.