Question

Why did Newton not receive much objections from the Church and government despite supporting Copernicus Model? Was Europe changing?
please answer upto 100 words.

Answer 1

Answer:

The relationship between science and the Catholic Church is a widely debated subject. Historically, the Catholic Church has often been a patron of sciences. It has been prolific in the foundation and funding of schools, universities, and hospitals, and many clergy have been active in the sciences. Historians of science such as Pierre Duhem credit medieval Catholic mathematicians and philosophers such as John Buridan, Nicole Oresme, and Roger Bacon as the founders of modern science.[1] Duhem found "the mechanics and physics, of which modern times are justifiably proud, to proceed by an uninterrupted series of scarcely perceptible improvements from doctrines professed in the heart of the medieval schools."[2] Yet, the conflict thesis and other critiques emphasize the historical or contemporary conflict between the Catholic Church and science, citing, in particular, the trial of Galileo as evidence. For its part, the Catholic Church teaches that science and the Christian faith are complementary, as can be seen from the Catechism of the Catholic Church which states in regards to faith and science:

Answer 2

The church had decided that the sun was moving around the world, despite the fact that scientists had known throughout centuries that the earth was not the center of the universe. They supported Newton since  his scientific discoveries did not conflict with church doctrine.

Explanation:

• Early modern astronomers such as Copernicus and Galileo have "proven" that earth has roamed the sun and other scientists have agreed. However, the Catholic Church sealed itself on a Bible literal interpretation and rejected this idea simply out of a religious bigotry, insisting that the earth was to remain the center of the cosmos, for man was the pinnacle of all creation.
• A cohesive model of the natural universe that would promote equilibrium and peace in the human society was Newton 's vision of the real world. The monotheistic God was regarded by Newton as the supreme builder, the presence of which can not be questioned before the grandeur of his creation.
• First, the substance of Newton's experimental discoveries did not interfere with the teaching of the church. The key purpose of the work is to improve considerably the understanding of current and unquestioning theories (gravity, light, motion rules, calculus), while Galileo was a experimental physicist whose observations was clearly contradictory to the church's authority ( i.e. heliocentrism).
• Secondly, Newton 's gravity theory has in fact served religion immensely because it proves the continuing presence of God on earth. That is if gravity, even though at a considerable distance from each other and via a vacuum, is a force imparted to the center of objects, it can not result from mechanical causes (i.e. touching and pushing atoms). There is no possible means of inducing gravity because it can not be caused mechanically.
• It must be God's divine intervention in nature, thus, which keeps the world in harmony rather than leading it to anarchy. This theological aspect of Newton 's work was taken almost immediately following the publication of his Principia, not to the discontent of Newton. In fact, Newton was very glad to see his research used in theological sciences and was pleased to support Bentley to develop his "Newtonian Theology," in the correspondence between Newton and Richard Bentley.
• Third, Britain 's religious atmosphere was certainly distinct in the late 17th century from Italy in the early 17th century. In Britain there were a number of controversial atheists and freethinkers, and while they were certainly not fond of it, they did not go so far as to prosecute it. The Church was far less powerful than Italy and was much more tolerant to various religions.
• Fourth, Newton's deviations from the doctrine were less open. While Galileo was keen to argue in favor of his disagreement with religion, Newton held back his head when controversies arose. For example, Newton rejected the Trinity's doctrine, which in England would have raised a few eyes. In comparison to Galileo, Newton was able to remain silent "to win the support of the Establishment". Newton deliberately spoke to them when he knew his views would be controversial. And he pulled out from publishing one of his most controversial writings