Based on what FACTS are osteopaths generally Germ theory denialists?

The main problem is with the European ones, -in particular the British Institute of Osteopathy. I didn't say all osteos are generally germ theory denialists. This is the question/answer Lighting is getting all butt hurt over: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101026121808AAzJ69G And you hit report for that? How sad. This was one of their famous airings: http://www.british-institute-of-osteopathy.org/Events/poster_germy_wermies.pdf ..... but it's been removed. It's discussed on this site and various others though: http://www.ukskeptics.com/forum/showthread.php/2452-Osteopaths-on-the-loose... Edit: thenoseknows said, "As far as "germ theory" goes, it should be remembered that it is a THEORY and not some inalienable fact. " (!!) Yes it's a theory, so are atoms and gravity. The highest a scientific model can get is a theory. It does not really move beyond this and progress to "fact",- it is an explaination for the "fact". 'Theory' in science isn't just some hunch. In science theories are explanations of observed occurances, built up from testable observations and hypotheses. It's well supported. "Pasteur's death bed confession that "Bechamp was right. The terrain is everything..." There was a debate between Pasteur and Beauchamps regarding microbes and disease. It wasn't really settled in Bechamps favour. It is a complete myth that Pasteur retracted the germ theory on his deathbed and/or said Beauchamps right. Edit: @ Lighty: No one has ever said that "denying germ theory is a pre-requisite to join" What we said was that some osteos, particularly the ones here in the UK, seem to be germ theory denislists. You were then given a link to an excerpt from their website. --------------------------------------... @ Mr E: Evidence please? Now we are in serious woo territory. Note: These people have no problem completely ditching biology. Edit @ Lighty: Is it true you left high school with no A-levels?

Germ theory denialists annoy me more than anything. It's absurd. Some British osteopaths do appear to reject germ theory. No waffling. Do you reject this position or not? Mr. E, susceptibility to infectious diseases are more heritable than heart disease. It's actually in the genes more than anything else. In some cases there is no probability involved, exposure will make you sick. thenoseknows, by volume the human body is almost entirely human. By cell number is is mostly bacteria, thanks entirely to the ~100 trillion in your colon. They aren't the same measurement. Most bacteria are harmless and quite beneficial.

Do you deny germ theory? Do you think homeopathy can treat an illness. Do you think reflexology can cure or diagnose anything? I guess you will say no yes yes. Thats still poor. I've heard good things from osteopaths but also some complete madness. I haven't heard an osteopath deny germ theory but then I've never asked one .... Until now. So?

It's just another case of skeppies quoting fodder from their misguided web-rings that are basically smear campaigns for anything that isn't pharmaceutical. It IS a form of cyber-bullying as someone rightly pointed out. As far as "germ theory" goes, it should be remembered that it is a THEORY and not some inalienable fact. Anyone who has really studied the history of medicine has come across Pasteur's death bed confession that "Bechamp was right. The terrain is everything..." If one considers that 90% of the human body is made up of "bacteria" as opposed to our own cells, this theory is definitely not carved in stone. There is no school of medicine in any discipline that requires students to deny germ theory... This is so senseless it's foolish.

I wasn't avoiding the question. I was just dumbstruck by the rant.

most instances of infection are primarily due to weakened immunity, not primarily the presence of bacteria.