Monday 14 January 2013

Science and Rationalists' Association of India

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Science and Rationalists' Association of India
Typenon-profit organization
IndustryEducation
Founded1985, Kolkata, India
HeadquartersKolkata, India
Key peoplePrabir Ghosh, General Secretary
Sumitra Padmanabhan, President
Websitehttp://www.srai.org/
The Science and Rationalists' Association of India (Bengali: Bharatiya Bigyan O Yuktibadi Samiti) is predominantly a rationalist group based in Kolkata, India. It was established on March 1, 1985 by rationalist Prabir Ghosh, which happens to be the international rationalists' day. The association has prominent philosophers like Khushwant Singh and Paul Kurtz as its members, and preaches against irrational blind faith and superstition.

Contents

[edit] Activities

The Science and Rationalists' Association of India debunks pseudoscientific claims, including astrology.[1][2]
This group critiques not only pseudoscientific claims, but mystical and religious claims as well. Nobel Prize-winner Mother Teresa came under criticism from the group. According to one leader, "Mother Teresa has a clean image, and there is no doubt that she has helped the poor…. But in the end we believe that Mother Teresa is not at all any better than all the other godmen and godwomen, because she helps to place a more kindly mask on the overall exploitation in our society."[3] After Mother Teresa's death, the group cast doubt on an alleged miracle healing upon which the beatification of the nun depended.[4]

[edit] Challenge to miracle and astrology

The group offers a prize of Rs. 2,500,000 to anyone who can demonstrate "supernatural power of any kind" or make accurate astrological predictions/calculations under proper observing conditions.[5] Many godmen and astrologers have accepted this renowned challenge and have been defeated. One such event, in which a traditional healer attempted - and failed - to save a dog that had been bitten by a venomous cobra, was filmed for the documentary Gurubusters.[6] which featured several confrontations between Rationalist campaigners and practitioners whose activities they set out to expose as superstitious or fraudulent.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Mohapatra, Satyen. "Feeling ill? It could be the planets: Govt study." Hindustan Times. 2008-09-06.
  2. ^ Mukherjee, Amit. "Celestial Lucre; It's economics for most. For others, the future of commodities is written in the stars." Business Today. New Dehli. 2008-09-06.
  3. ^ Burns, John F. India's 'Guru Busters' Debunk All That's Mystical." New York Times. 1995-10-10.
  4. ^ Rohde, David. "Her Legacy: Acceptance and Doubts of a Miracle." New York Times. 1995-10-10.
  5. ^ [1][dead link]
  6. ^ "Eagle & Eagle". Eagletv.co.uk. http://www.eagletv.co.uk/home/guru.htm. Retrieved 2012-10-14.

[edit] External links






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