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Prove him wrong and win Rs10 lakh

President of the Indian Rationalist Associations is willing to give his life savings to the astrologer who can take him on

Are you ready for a celestial battle on a truly cosmic scale? In the left corner stands the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations, and in the right, are the nation’s astrologers.
Narendra Nayak, president of the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations, who has been at the vanguard fighting godmen since 1976, is willing to give his entire life savings (Rs10 lakh) to the astrologer who can meet a rather canny challenge.

“We will provide them [astrologers] with the date and time of birth of 10 individuals. All they have to tell us is whether these individuals are male or female, and whether they are dead or alive. If an astrologer can guess eight out of the 10 correctly, then the prize of Rs10 lakh is his,” said Nayak. “But the one who wishes to take up the challenge will have to deposit Rs5,000 in order to participate.” While a number of older astrologers have spurned the offer, stating that such mundane astrology is not their forte, Bangalore’s leading cosmic-reader, Y Bhaskar Shetty, who has many political titans for clients, has picked up the gauntlet.

Shetty said he is willing to make the required predictions, provided the process was transparent. “As for the money, let him keep it,” said Shetty, “or give it to charity.”

Shetty regretted Nayak’s “ignorance” and claimed that the rationalists did not understand that humans are the microcosm of the universe and have to maintain their poise and alignment with the planets in the solar system. “Astrology is all geometry and gravity,” he said.

What about moderate/liberal theists/theism?

Many people argue that atheists pick on all theists when the fundamentalist/extremist ones are mostly at fault and the majority of theists are more benign and beneficial to society.

This is wrong. ALL theists and ALL forms of theism are harmful and destructive. The points outlined above are not specific to fundamentalist extremists; They are common among virtually all theistic denominations.

Contrary to what most may believe, moderate theists are the most destructive. This is because they provide the cover (as well as the breeding ground) for the fundamentalists. They are the major force that will not allow open and honest debate on theism to exist in the public mainstream media. There are many great documentaries on science and theology that will never air in the United States because theists, even moderate and liberal ones, would not tolerate such discussion. This is because theism really doesn’t have much of a legitimate, rational leg to stand on. The very fact that theists would rather not have their beliefs critiqued further underlines the reality that their beliefs are most likely not rational and that theists are most likely unable to defend them in an open forum.

For this reason, Atheists cannot pick and choose certain factions of fundamentalists to rail against. In truth, all theists — from extremists to liberals — are part of the same deluded group. They all create the same problems for our society, and it would be intellectually dishonest to claim otherwise.

Sam Harris gives another great presentation on this issue, going beyond the basics to explain why even moderate and liberal theists should be considered a threat to freedom, science, rationality and peace:

Freethinker slogans

Here’s a nifty list of funny bumper stickers, aphorisms or atheist slogans about religion

  • Darwin loves you!
  • Blasphemy is a victimless crime.
  • Abstinence Makes the Church Grow Fondlers
  • Honk If Your Religious Beliefs Make You An Asshole
  • Don’t pray in my school, and I won’t think in your church.
  • Intelligent Design Makes My Monkey Cry
  • Thank God I’m an Atheist. Too Stupid to Understand Science? Try Religion.

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