Doubt in the 16th century

[defacto7]

Born in 1548, Giordano Bruno, excommunicated by the Calvinists, excommunicated by the Lutherans, and sentenced to burn at the stake by the Catholics claimed, among other things, that the universe was infinite and filled with many other suns like ours. When sentenced to death by fire in 1600, he famously said, "Perhaps you, my judges, pronounce this sentence against me with greater fear than I receive it." Invited to repent, he refused. While on the pyre he was offered a crucifix which he pushed away with sharp disdain.

He was 51.

[dameatball]

1. We can be a cruel species.

[defacto7]

2. So true, and there have been those

who stood firm in defense of freedom of thought, science, and reason.

[Farmer-Rick]

3. I've always thought that many of the witches murdered by god fearing believers

were actually non-believers. Religion sure did try it's damnest to get rid of all nonbelievers.