FACT-CHECK: NO. If The Term “Conspiracy Theorist” Had Existed In Galileo’s Time, It Would NOT Have Been Used To Discredit Him

Popular conspiracy meme shared on social media attempts to compare term used to discredit fringe-lunatics today with the “heretic” label used by the Catholic Church.

CLAIM:

If the term “conspiracy theorist” had existed during the time of Galileo, it would have been used to discredit his theory that the earth is round and revolves around the sun.

THE FACTS:

During Galileo’s time, “heretic” was the word commonly used to brand people who challenged the orthodox view of the Roman Catholic Church which held that the earth was flat, stationary and positioned at the center of creation. Because the belief in this dogma was based purely in ignorance and superstition and no evidence exists that the Church was “conspiring” to hide or cover up the truth that the earth is in fact round and revolves around the sun, there is no real comparison to be made between labeling someone a “heretic” for challenging this ignorant religious belief and calling someone a paranoid “conspiracy theorist” for suggesting that some grand, earth-shaking truth is being hidden from the masses by the elusive “powers that be” in the modern era of science and technology.

OUR RULING:

The term “conspiracy theorist” could not have been applicable to Galileo who was challenging superstitious religious dogma and not alleging a dark, shadowy conspiracy on the part of the church to keep the masses in darkness and ignorance. The Catholic Church had no intention of keeping anyone in darkness or ignorance because, as we know, they themselves were ignorant, so there is really no comparison to be made here.

In addition, the conspiracy theorists of today aren’t comparable to Galileo, since unlike him they themselves are generally anti-science and hold silly, ignorant, non-evidence based beliefs.

Therefore we rule this claim as FALSE.

Better luck next time conspiracy wing-nuts!!