Rationalists in India doing some very good work

I’ve been talking to the International Humanist and Ethical Union‘s Babu Gogineni in India about how to assist them in combating superstition in rural areas. It’s actually a movement that’s sweeping the country. I have so much respect and admiration for the people doing this very critical work.

From the Irish Times:

SEVERAL HUNDRED villagers in northern India watched enthralled as a longhaired sadhu, or holy man, dressed in saffron robes produced ash out of thin air, exploded huge stones with “mental power”, and turned water into blood.

Captivated by his supernatural deeds in a small village near Rohtak in Haryana state, 60km (37 miles) from the capital New Delhi, the people witnessing this magical performance last month were intimidated by the man’s “divine power”.

They hoped, through generous donations at the end of his performance, to dissuade the miracle man from unleashing havoc on their village through his avowed “supernatural” prowess.

But as the awestruck villagers reached into their pockets, the holy man whipped off his saffron robes to reveal himself as the local college science teacher.

He then repeated his presentation, but this time round showed his audience how he had achieved the “miracles” using sleight of hand and a few chemicals.

Such proceedings are regularly organised by the Indian Rationalist Association in a bid to debunk belief in miracles, palmistry and astrology in the countryside, where the majority of people are illiterate and believe in the supernatural.

The charlatans’ performances often include setting objects on fire through “mind energy”, eating glass, walking on burning embers, piercing their flesh with steel tridents and, at times, even levitation.

A trick that Edamaruku says never fails to impress people is one that results in a small explosion after water is sprinkled on a stone. However, he says this is accomplished simply by pouring water on scattered sodium crystals.

Similarly, lighting candles or setting piles of dry grass on fire with the flick of a finger is achieved by using chemicals that ignite on exposure to sunlight.

Piercing the body with a trident is managed if it is bent specially at strategic points, giving the impression of deep penetration.

“These tricksters have a basic knowledge of chemistry but an exalted understanding of human psychology,” says Edamaruku.

The Indian Rationalist Association, whose nationwide membership has swollen to about 100,000, was founded six decades ago by a handful of scientists and intellectuals in the southern city of Chennai (formerly Madras).

Members are quick to point out that, though many of them are atheists, they are not opposed to freedom of religion but want to expose the widespread and cynical exploitation being carried out in its name.

“Our basic aim is to bring the rudiments of science and logic to ordinary people,” says Edamaruku.