<span>This is to make sure that the statements that their colleagues are making hold up under scientific and academic scrutiny. Sometimes, a statement or a claim might be outlandish and being linked to such a claim might end up tarnishing the reputation or the validity of the study being completed or being reviewed.</span>
During that time period it was before the Enlightenment. Which meant that people could no prove many of the things happening in the world. They were also subject to nature when living in The New World and not to mention most colonies up in the New England area moved there for religious freedom.
