An Introduction to Indian Rationalist Association
The Indian Rationalist Association (IRA)with head quarters in New Delhi and several branches and thousands of members all over the country is one of the largest and most vibrant freethought organizations in the world. The IRA maintains a strong media presence, hosts regular conferences and seminars and publishes rationalist literature in several Indian languages.Founded 1949 at Madras (Chennai), it celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1999-2000 with the Second International Rationalist Conference.
Indian Rationalist Association promotes reason, critical thinking and scientific temper in all public fora and has launched a mass scale education movement against superstition in Indian villages. It defends freedom of speech and civil rights and supports self-determination of the individual. In encourages young people to break the shackles of religion and caste and provides legal and social assistance for couples who decide for an inter-religious or inter-caste marriage.President and most prominent media face of the Indian Rationalist Association is Sanal Edamaruku, who spearheaded the anti-superstition march that covered thousands of villages in the 1990s (documented in Channel IV's "Guru Busters" and by Discovery channel) and received national media attention for exposing and explaining several sensational "miracles" that had caught the imagination of major sections of the population, including the milk drinking Ganesh statues and the monkey-man.
Former leaders and office-bearers of Indian Rationalist Association include Dr R P Paranjpye (former vice-chancellor of Bombay University), S Ramanathan (former education minister of Madras), M N Roy, C N Annadurai (former chief minister of Tamil Nadu), Avula Sambasiva Rao (former chief justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court), H Narasimaiah (former vice-chancellor of Bangalore University), M V Ramamurthy (veteran lawyer from Andhra Pradesh) and Joseph Edamaruku (eminent writer and journalist from Kerala).
posted by Indian Rationalist Association @ 11:54 PM
5 Comments:
Hai sanal sir,
It's a very good apporach to rationalism in the new age.
This blog contains complete reference for a new comer.
I am thanking for entire rationalist society.
I wish you all the best in your activism.
Thanks,
Yours lovingly,
ADARSH ANCHAL
http://keralanewstime.com
Hello Mr Sanal,
First of all let me congratulate you for your great effort to bring the people out of the darkness of their ignorance which is the basic reason for the superstition. In this context, I would like to point out one issue, I am sure that your organisation might already have taken steps to prevent such things.
In the Christian community, miracle healings are kind of accepted norm, and mostly a mass miracle healing kind of things are arranged from time to time and lakhs & crores of people will be attainding such meetings. I have seen most of the educated people also, having a very strong belief in such practises. It is claimed that people have been miraculously cured from even terminal deseases, as well as from certain disabilites which were supposed to be un curable. Such things are also telecasted from various television religious channels. Scenes of people getting hysteric, and getting cured are shown.
I would like to know, what is your view regarding such miracles, do they really take place. Has God really given its powers to a chosen few, who can do miracles and heal. I also want to know, what must be their motives in conducting such things.
I believe that your organisation must be putting its efforts to protect the ignorant people from the evil designs of all such people.
I wish that people across the world come out of their superstiotions and lead their life without any fear. And also wish ou all the best for your work..
Regards
Ratnesh
Hello Mr Sanal,
First of all let me congratulate you for your great effort to bring the people out of the darkness of their ignorance which is the basic reason for the superstition. In this context, I would like to point out one issue, I am sure that your organisation might already have taken steps to prevent such things.
In the Christian community, miracle healings are kind of accepted norm, and mostly a mass miracle healing kind of things are arranged from time to time and lakhs & crores of people will be attainding such meetings. I have seen most of the educated people also, having a very strong belief in such practises. It is claimed that people have been miraculously cured from even terminal deseases, as well as from certain disabilites which were supposed to be un curable. Such things are also telecasted from various television religious channels. Scenes of people getting hysteric, and getting cured are shown.
I would like to know, what is your view regarding such miracles, do they really take place. Has God really given its powers to a chosen few, who can do miracles and heal. I also want to know, what must be their motives in conducting such things.
I believe that your organisation must be putting its efforts to protect the ignorant people from the evil designs of all such people.
I wish that people across the world come out of their superstiotions and lead their life without any fear. And also wish ou all the best for your work..
Regards
Ratnesh
What rationalism you guys talkin of?? Do u claim to be more rational than His excellency, The president of India?? If u do, you are stupid. Sai Baba, is one man on the earth, who has led an entirelessly selfless life, free schools for children (the govt cannot even imagine, with such infrastructure), free hospitals, where the patients are treated free of cost. His Drinking water project comes as a lifeline to the millions of ppl in the rayalseema district. Could u rational ppl accomplish even a tenth of it?? I know u guys, to gain lime light, be in the opposing party.. U cannot oppose the truth, my dear friend..Be realisitic..I have been in Parthi for years, and I bet i know Him, better than any of you, who are shooting in the dark...I hope u accept the truth..U will not become smaller by that, you will gain peace of mind..And if u still doubt him, go to puttaparthi and see for yourself.
Abhinav
Hello,
A friend in Ireland just sent me a link from the London Times (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article7067989.ece) about the TV challenge to a guru who claimed he could, for want of a better phrase, "faith kill".
Just wanted to express my admiration.
This is the way to deal with charlatans. Wish people in the US had such courage and good sense.
Sorry, didn't mean to post this anonymously. I don't have accounts in any of the groups listed below. The name is Catherine Osborn. Currently staying in California, returning to Dublin, Ireland in June. Member of the atheist Nexus online.
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