Shopping in a 'spiritual supermarket'

A few years ago, the police in Kerala, India, called 'Gods' own country', had a tough job: Chasing 'false gods'. Before gaining Independence from the British Empire in 1947, the 'god-men' of India earned their living in the country itself. They did this by hoodwinking gullible people by sleeping on beds of nails or sitting cross-legged in meditative poses. They also performed certain 'miracles' such as producing Vibhuthi, (ash from cow-dung). Hoodwinking people soon became a flourishing industry.

After Independence, the god-men of India started seeking fresh pastures in Western countries. India soon gained a reputation as the land of spirituality. As a result, any Indian wearing flowing garbs and a long beard was looked upon as an authority on spiritual matters. People flocked to them seeking spiritual salvation.

Heaven's Gate Cult

False gods generally have a short life-span. They can hoodwink their followers until they are exposed. One glaring example is the Heaven's Gate Cult. The members of the cult committed mass suicide in their community home in San Diego, United States. They had believed that they had to leave their physical bodies behind to have a rendezvous with aliens on a spaceship that was trailing the Hale-Bopp comet.

While the world is making vast strides in science and technology, the dependence on false god-men, faith healers, fortune tellers, seers, soothsayers, psychics, mantra-healers, mediums, and babas seems to be on the rise. Most of these people cannot be subjected to a scientific investigation as they are always surrounded by hangers-on and accomplices who will not allow anyone to get close to their masters.

False gods in any country run a 'spiritual supermarket' rooted in greed, brutality, sexual perversion and utter depravity. Their black creepy tentacles are ready to grab anyone who comes into their lair. The late Dr Abraham T. Kovoor in his path-breaking book Begone God-men! says, "He who does not allow his miracles to be investigated is a crook; he who does not have the courage to investigate a miracle is a gullible person; and he who is prepared to believe without verification is a fool!"

Rationalist Association

Dr Kovoor was the livewire of the Rationalist Association of Sri Lanka which challenged all false gods. The rationalists challenged fire walking and many other 'miracles'. However, after the death of Dr Kovoor, the Rationalist Association seems to have taken a long holiday.

In contrast, the Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham (the Association of Rationalists) is very active in Kerala. It painstakingly spread the gospel of reason. It is believed that the Association has more than 10,000 members across the State.

False gods are different from gods found in major religions. Dr S. Radhakrishnan, the eminent Indian sage who was a former President of the country, once said, "To a Muslim, all is centred in Allah. The idea of God made man is at the centre of Christianity. The Son, the second person of the Trinity, is man universalised. Jesus Christ is God individualised. In Islam every man is his own priest by the mere fact of his being a Muslim." Philosopher Eckhart too says, "Everything that the Holy scriptures say about Christ is equally true of every good and divine man."

In Sri Lanka too we have our own crop of god-men who claim to possess supernatural powers to cure any disease including cancer. Some false god-men specialise in bringing back estranged husbands, wives, and lovers. Another guru has a sure-fire method to stop illicit love affairs. A swami claims that he can walk a 'Kanappuva' (a three-legged piece of furniture) by the use of mantras. If anyone finds that their marriages are unduly delayed, they have only to consult a particular god-man who has a lucrative practice in the south. Even some men in robes have started practising the occult, deserting their religious obligations. There is another Swami who sells some oil that could entice anyone in the world. Even women have stormed this male bastion because the returns are good.

Even an average intelligent man would ask why fake god-men thrive in a thrice-blessed country such as Sri Lanka. We wonder whether people's insecurity, frustrations and greed drive them to consult kapuralas. Even people with science degrees visit false god-men to have their problems solved.

Psychologists say that our linguistic and numerical literacy have little to do with mental activity and emotional intelligence. If anybody can read and understand Daniel Goleman's celebrated book Emotional Intelligence, he will find answers to some of his pressing emotional problems. Those who are emotionally mature will not be duped by quacks who take advantage of fragile social relationships.

As Shri Menon says, it may be that even some educated people derive some mental peace and happiness by indulging in their blind beliefs. No rationalist could drive any sense into their brains!