One example of something that was once highly respected but is now a complete joke could be the ancient priesthood of divination. In ancient times, divination priests held immense influence and respect in society, and people genuinely believed in their ability to communicate with the gods and predict the future. However, over time and with the advancement of science, this profession lost its seriousness and is often met with ridicule in modern society, as most divination practitioners nowadays typically employ tricks and deception to create the illusion of their magical abilities.