“As soon as Dr. Jenner developed the first smallpox vaccine, religious fanatics went all out to discredit him and to claim that vaccines go against God’s plan. “
That seems a bit of hyperbole, based on the link you referenced.
Still, it is amazing how today’s anti-vax stance is a diabolically clever mix of religious-type concerns and leftist ones, e.g. it’s not natural and it is evil corporations trying to make money.
That seems a bit of hyperbole, based on the link you referenced.
That link was only meant to be a quick reference for what I said previously, and not an exhaustive review of the subject. Here is another link that mentions the religious basis of much of the early anti-vax movement; it is a theme that comes up over and over when you read the historical basis of anti-vaxxers.
Still, it is amazing how today's anti-vax stance is a diabolically clever mix of religious-type concerns and leftist ones, e.g. it's not natural and it is evil corporations trying to make money.
In a larger context, that is always the basis of the objection to any technological advance. No matter how much scientific evidence exists about the technology, there are always a number of people who are fearful and suspicious. We have all been raised with electric lights and I have never met anyone fearful about them, but I saw a sign dating from the early 1900s or late 1800s which explained to hotel guests that the electric light in their room did not present any risk to their health.
It seems to me that some people thrive on being scared of the unknown and living in perpetual fear about something.