Good points, all. However...

While the propositions from Copernicus, Kepler and Galileo, were already out there, they were largely seen by the reigning religious fundamentalists as mere arguments. What Newton did was to tie them all together with a pretty, mathematical bow. This bow was a very tough knot to argue against, as it could move freely throughout a new concept called reason.

Einstein opened a new door, giving an incomprehensible peek at that new thing called quantum mechanics. He didn't get it, either, but he knew it was out there. The chalk board did not lie. The gauntlet had been thrown, and Hawking snatched it up.

That's really all I got, ER.

BTW:
It turns out that Galileo had no problem at all with Pope Paul V, and vice versa. The two had even grown up together, I believe as schoolmates, and upon his ascension to the Vatican, Galileo presented Pope Paul V with a telescope and introduced him to the moons of Jupiter. The Pope enjoyed using the device quite often, watching the grand mysteries of his creator moving through the heavens.

His real problems were with the Inquisition, which held sway over the Pope, resulting in Galileo's eventual house arrest.

Also:
An excellent book to check out is Dava Sobel's "Galileo's Daughter." By all means, get it. It's a wonderful compilation of letters from Sister Maria Celeste, his eldest daughter. I believe her former name was -- Virginia? If you have the ability to control your dream-state, this is a nice, comfortable book to nod off to in bed.

And, finally:
My unification theory:

"BECAUSE"

I'd show you my work, but there's not enough room on the internet for it. All you can do is sit back and watch it all happen.
;^)

Absolutely amazing. All of it.

Cheers.