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my power point presentation at TED.x talk at NITK, Suratkal
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A humanist speaks
My 50 years as an atheist, rationalist and humanist.
LET ME EXPLAIN
• What do these terms mean?
• It is not myself that I am speaking about but millions of silent closet non believers who are not given any media or other coverage.
Why first an atheist?
• I stopped believing in an unknown, supernatural power driving the world at the age of 10 or so.
• Then stopped believing in another major superstition- ‘ass’trology( the second s is intentional not a typo.)
Discarded superstitions
• Growing up makes one question, look for answers and reject false ideas.
• So, many of these were rejected.
• Yet there were many unanswered questions and challenges.
Turning points in my life
• Met A.T.Kovoor, a rationalist from Sri Lanka who was conducting miracle exposure programs in 1976.
• Met B.Premanand in 1981- he was continuing the work after Kovoor.
• How to counter superstitions was the most important question.
The miracle exposure program
• For the common man, the manifestation of the ‘supernatural’ is not the philosophical debate
• It is not a theological question.
• It is what he sees in his neighborhood
which goes in the name of manifestation of so called ‘supernatural powers’.
He was at the top of the miracle mongers hierarchy!
• How did he reach there?
• Promoted by top people including so called intellectuals and scientists.
• Watch this video!
Why he alone?
• He was the old generation ‘miracle monger’.
• Doing things like materialisation of ash, trinkets, shivalingam etc.
• The later generation is cleverer with no such easily exposed gimmicks.
Amma of Kerala• True name Sudhamani.
• Miracles like lighting lamp with water, converting water into milk pudding and such stories.
• Now confined to only hugging people and doing so called social service- running capitation fee colleges, hospitals etc.
The double Mr.
• Another miracle monger who has patented ‘breathing’ and calls it art of living!
• No simple verifiable benefits but vague claims like feels better, improves mental faculties, health improvements etc.
• He insinuates into things- like cancer chemotherapy by claim like tolerated much better after AOL!
The bearded yogi
• Another one with tall claims.
• Cure all processes!
• Tall claims with no evidence at all!
• Claims of cheaper more effective therapy but actually more expensive without any effects.
The superstitions are all pervasive
• The superstition mongers exploit the gullibility of people.
• They make use of placebo effect
• They provide simple explanations like spirit possession for mental illness!
• Watch this video of what happens in villages.
Medical field is fertile for them.
• Quack systems of medicine neither approved nor evidence based!
• Some approved systems without any evidence base like homeopathy.
• When something has a irrefutable dogma it becomes a religion and not a system of medicine.
Astrology- the bane of this nation.
• It makes asses of people.
• System of cold reading and clever half truths!
• Common confusion between astronomy and astrology!
• Of course I am an aquarian and we by the nature of the sign of zodiac under which we are born don’t believe in it!
Even satellites are launched with it!
• For every thing in our life the right time has to be decided by an astrologer.
• Even satellites built with the latest science need clearance from them!
• The stupidity cuts across all barriers!
• It is not just one there are many, many such.
We are a nation of gullible people
• There are innumerable ways of taking us for a ride and
• We are all ready to buy tickets from them paying exorbitant prices.
• We do not question.
• We have been conditioned from the very child hood not to question.
Break those barriers
• Get over the inferiority complex.
• Question every one who claims supernatural powers.
• Ask them to prove under fraud proof conditions.
• Challenge them to make me a pauper!
I have thirteen challenges
• Any one with supernatural powers can take them and take all my worldly assets.
here are a few:
• Materialise an object I ask for in 30 seconds from thin air!
• Stand on burning embers for 30 seconds!
• Read the number of a sealed currency note.
And many more.
• Rise from stationary position and stand in air for 30 seconds!
Etc. etc.
• All under fraud proof conditions which I shall specify.
• Any takers? So far I have not had any one.
Take home message
• Question before you believe.
• Ask for evidence before you accept.
• No one had, has or will have any supernatural powers.
• Everything in this universe happens within the frame work of laws of nature some we may know- some we may not know .
Check my web sites
• www.narendranayak.com
• www.nirmukta.com
• You can always send me a friend request on Face Book.
• You can arrange for these demonstrations at you college, your village or city.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH