The New Priesthood

[Theland]

In the days of the Latin Mass, only the priests understood the liturgy.
The people were told to listen to whatever interpretation was given them, and this meant a tremendous responsibility and authority on the clergy.
People were not encouraged to ask questions, and if they did, it bordered on heresy.
Now a new priesthood has arisen. The scientists.
Experts in one discipline now feel quite entitled to pontificate in other areas of science, and this affects everybody.
''Scientists say, Scientists believe, Scientists warn, Scientists fear,'' are just some of the news headlines that assault us on a regular basis.
Their views are unassailable, solely by virtue of the fact that they are scientists and we are not.
This or that food or drug is good / bad for us, global warming is true / false, and many more issues.
Its amazing how millions of people clamour for change because the High Priests have spoken.
How do you feel about the issues I have raised above?

[nailit]

Not often that I agree with Theland but he has a point.
Back in the 50's, pregnant women took Thalidomide to treat morning sickness as it was a 'safe' drug to use...according to scientists at the time.
In the 30's 40's & 50's Doctors promoted smoking and we all trust a doctor don't we?
The list could go on...
Yes, I know that science changes as time marches on and its 'science' that corrects previous bad 'science' but the point that Theland is making is that maybe we trust our 'scientists' too much. Scientists are fallible as much as the rest of us are.

[retrocop]

I have certainly lost faith in our so called answerbank scientists since this crisis began. :-(, Every one is groping in the dark.

[nailit]

What have I missed Retro? Hardly logged on for a week.

[naomi24]

Some trust it implicitly, but we really ought to bear in mind that there’s a lot that science doesn’t know and what it thinks it knows often changes.  

[nailit]

//Some trust it implicitly//
Isnt that the point that Theland's implying?
Science cannot be trusted 'implicitly'.
ergo...neither can faith.

[retrocop]

Just a couple of the usual rabid nutters on AB pedalling Armageddon.
Harmless delusions of their own wisdom and mortality etc. :-)

[retrocop]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
answer to yuour 1809

[AuntPollyGrey]

I agree with nailit. Scientists are not infallible and we should never ever take what they say as 'the truth'. Years ago they were pumping sugar and carbs into kids to help them grow, then the low fat diet was the thing to do, now its Keto with 80% fat. Thalidomide, smoking for health reasons, the pill, the MMR (yes why are so many kids on the spectrum these days)? Scientists are the new High Priests , funded by the likes of Glaxo Smith Cline and we all bow as we pop the pills that are going to 'help' us.

[nailit]

We might disagree with Thelands theology, beliefs and outlook on life (as I most certainly do) but agree with his premise that scientists have been (dangerously) wrong on many occassions? Which they obviously have.

[nailit]

Smoking and Thalidomide to name but two.

[Mozz71]

Was anybody saying they were infallible though Nailit? It seems like stating the obvious.

[nailit]

//Was anybody saying they were infallible though Nailit? It seems like stating the obvious.//
How do you mean Mozz?
No one I know says that they are stating the obvious.

[nailit]

'Smoking is good for your lungs'
was once the mantra of doctors.
They got paid to appear on TV adverts to say it!

[sanmac]

Some individuals seem to be of the opinion that putting on a white coat is equivalent to going into a phone booth and emerging from it wearing a cape and having a big S emblazoned across their chest.

[Spicerack]

^^^When they should have a pointy hat with a big D on it. ;-)

[Mozz71]

Sorry Nailit, maybe I didn't explain myself very well. I meant, why state that scientists are not perfect? Is there anyone saying that they are? Science is a ever evolving creature, all theory and conjecture. No one believes that every theory is accurate, but at the time, they are the best idea we have. Tomorrow, that can change.

[nailit]

Agree 100% Mozz, but thats my point. (And...I suspect...Theland's)
Whats True today may not be true tomorrow.
Thalidomide and smoking were once considered beneficial according to science and *scientists* promoted them both as being beneficial.

I get what Theland is saying here even if I dont argee with his religious conclusions.
Dont always agree with the official narrative. It can be dangerous!

[Peter Pedant]

In the days of the Latin Mass, only the priests understood the liturgy.
absolute crap

asperges me domine hysoppo et mundabor super nivem dealbabur - in nomine patris et cetera

tu es petrus and super hanc petram aedificabo meam
ecclesiam

you knew I was gonna do that - didncha?
well it is all Greek to you ( thank you Naomi)
kyrie eleison and ( or kai! ou kai! ) agios christos ( easter mass) are the only two remnants of Greek in the Latin mass

what was your original point ?

[Peter Pedant]

// They (doctyors) got paid to appear on TV adverts to say it!//

are you sure about this? I thought ITV started around 1959
and by that time, Doll and Peters paper on smoking and cancer had been out for around 7 y (1952)

and I dont remember anyone doing that
I remember Charles Fletcher on Your life in Their Hands tho

[sanmac]