A review of Galileo and the heliocentric theory controversy reveals that a major reason for his difficulties was opposition from scientific colleagues. The church became involved primarily as a result of pressure from the academic community. This paper also concludes that the claim that scientists are more receptive to empirical evidence and research than people of faith is questionable. Reactions of today’s scientists to innovative ideas and unorthodox views in the area of origins indicate that not much has changed in this area in the past three centuries.