It should come as no surprise to anyone now who has read any stuff on a forum that there will always be a wide range of views on this, or anything else. Different schools have different interpretations, and individuals within those schools differ as well.
As far as elitism is concerned, we have a hierarchy in Hinduism, from the common man to the chief priest, to learned pandits to ascetics, to Satgurus, etc. etc. On the inside, God dwells within each of us. So in that sense we are equal, but in the outer sense, we differ, because clearly some people are just more religious or enlightened than others. If we can see that in another, we should shut up and listen, not argue. Otherwise it is disrespecting the traditions of wisdom.
If you meet the Dalai Lama, are you going to tell him how to live his life? Well, you could and he's probably let you, , but it may just have a hint of slight misunderstanding in it.
Mom can put a bandaid on your cut. In fact you can do it yourself. A nurse can use a strong antiseptic. A doctor can do stitches. If it gets a nasty foreign infection that nobody figures out we call in House. Is this viewed as elitism?
Personally, I'm more concerned with whether or not it will do anyone any harm. Kundalini experimentation, some tantric practices, the wrong mantra in the wrong hands (vocal chords) etc. can, in some rare instances, do people harm. But its more likely to happen on a higher stage, like waking someone who is in really deep meditation.
So for the most part, ordinary people, regular humble devotees, non-brahmacaryas, won't encounter this kind of thing. So in all practicality, its nothing to worry about.
