"...his opposition at least initially was from other scientists.the church at first was ,i understand quite favourable to him"

Pete... you must remember that in Galileo's time, there was barely a difference between the beliefs of scientists & the church. If most 'scientists' are committed to church doctrine as a given, they cannot DO science very well.... (at least science as we understand it today).

Galileo was a fairly early example of allowing observation, experiment and mathematics...that is, **science**, lead where it needed to go. If Galileo had done his analysis and then said, "Oh...that can't be right...the church fathers tell us very clearly that the Earth is at the center!", well, he would be barely a footnote in history today.

Do not be fooled by simple words. "Scientist" has to mean something specific; and those who try to wear both hats must be VERY careful which one they are wearing when they make statements.