mid-day editorial: Cut through the cult of the irrational

A recent report in this paper stated that the police have filed cases against two evangelists for organizing a festival in Vasai, where they allegedly collected money from the participants on the pretext of curing them of their illnesses.

An FIR has been filed against Dr P S Rambabu, who runs New Creation Ministries, and Vikas Anappa Pujari, president of Grace Generation Ministry. The action was triggered after a complaint by a resident who witnessed the gathering where people were told their illnesses would disappear if they took God's name. The duo even promised to cure the deaf and mute!

We need to be increasingly circumspect when it comes to such claims. There is no miracle cure for illnesses and they simply cannot disappear in an instant. It is important to become much more wary of people who build a cult following and then tell you to contribute generously to further their cause. They prey on the gullible, and many a time, they succeed because they catch people in their most desperate and vulnerable moments.

When action is being taken against these ‘miracle' workers, do not try to obstruct the police. Let the law take its course. Do not threaten those who file complaints, instead stand with them in support. If you cannot support them, then let law take its course. Several persons who have cast doubts on these miraculous claims have come under intense pressure and forced to flee, retract or retreat, and in extreme cases have ended up losing their lives too.

Let us develop a cult following for men and women of science, logic, reason and rationalism. Irrational claims do not elevate, but darken our lives by filling us with false hope. Puncture them and take great pleasure in seeing them fall flat.

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