Rationalists unpopular, yet hold their ground

MANGALORE: Rational implies the ability to reason logically (Webster’s New World Dictionary). In a country where religion is truly the opium of the masses and where there is a thin line dividing magic and miracle, how many of us can claim to have acted rationally when circumstances have required us to?
Sensing the gullible nature of the millions, which is usually spawned by superstitions, the South Kanara Rationalist Association (SKRA) was formed in 1976 to tell the common man that there was nothing miraculous about miracles.
The association conducted its first programme, ‘Godman and Tricks’, by inviting by Dr A.T. Kovoor, an eminent rationalist from Sri Lanka, and magician Swaminathan. The programme, held at Don Bosco Hall here, was a big hit.
This overwhelming response encouraged the fledgling association to take its programmes to more people. But things did not go as the association wished.
Most association members did not want to be identified as rationalists. The social stigma of the seventies was such that even those who considered themselves part of the association were insistent that their names not be disclosed to outsiders. Some bachelors were afraid that their marriage prospects would be marred if their rationalistic inclinations were known. Older people feared that wedding prospects of their sons and daughters would be affected. So in the initial years, association’s activities were few and far between, comprising only a few lectures and some investigation.
In 1980, the association came into contact with rationalist Premanand, who was popular for conducting miracle-exposure programmes. SKRA invited him to Mangalore and with a magician called Shankar arranged for programmes at Udupi and Mangalore. The aftermath was unexpected. The local media slammed miracle exposures, questioning the credentials and philosophy of the rationalists.
Then, the association decided that it would become self-dependent and conduct programmes on its own. In the following years, their programmes and street plays on miracle exposures evoked mixed, but encouraging results.
Since 1990, the association has forged ahead and till date conducted more than 1,500 programmes all over the state. Among other issues, the association has also encouraged simple marriages, advocated inter-caste and inter-religion marriages and helped couples who faced opposition.
In order to combat the rampant menace of superstitions in the district and the resultant
exploitation of the people by unscrupulous magicians, sorcerers, witch doctors and the like, the association has put forward an open challenge to anyone claiming to possess supernatural powers to subject themselves for scientific scrutiny of the association. To prove its earnestness, it has authorised its secretary Narendra Nayak to put at stake all his worldly possessions to anybody who can exhibit superpowers. Curiously, none have taken up the challenge and Nayak’s property is intact!