Final answer:
The inaccurate statement about D) Galileo is that he declared scientists must teach what the church desires. His work and support for the heliocentric model challenged the church's teachings, and though he faced opposition, he is credited with significant contributions to modern astronomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement about Galileo that is inaccurate is: D. Galileo wrote the "Assayer" declaring that scientists must teach what the church desires. Galileo was, in fact, an advocate for the autonomy of science from theological authority, and he supported the heliocentric model proposed by Copernicus, which was contrary to the church’s teachings at the time.
While Galileo was indeed a man of faith and had a friendly relationship with Pope Urban VIII for some time, he maintained that the study of the physical universe, such as the heavens, was the uncovering of God's work rather than following the church's interpretation blindly.
His advocacy for the heliocentric model and his telescopic discoveries, such as Jupiter's moons and the phases of Venus, contributed significantly to the advancement of modern astronomy and the Scientific Revolution. Although Galileo faced opposition from the Roman Catholic Church, and was ultimately placed under house arrest, his work was extensively read and influenced many scientists.