QUOTE(Sarcasticidealist @ Thu 20th January 2011, 1:14am)
But comparing the clergy to scientists is also somewhat misleading, since the first is defined by a set of beliefs, and the second by a methodology. If a Lutheran pastor concludes through study that, for example, there is no God, then he very quickly ceases to be a Lutheran pastor, regardless of the methodology that led him to that conclusion.
Nah, that's just another religious schism. Just replace God with aliens = New Religion.
QUOTE(Sarcasticidealist @ Thu 20th January 2011, 1:14am)
If a scientist concludes through study that, for example, the standard atomic model is incorrect, she is still a scientist, provided that she applied scientific methodology in reaching that conclusion.
Who determines the methodology, oh yeah other scientists! Hardly a level playing field.