Indian miracle guru confronted by skeptics

steenkh · 6th February 2023, 03:05 AM

An Indian guru claims that he can heal all sorts of ailments, and he can read people’s minds. However, he is not unopposed:
Bageshwar Dham Sarkar: The Indian guru making headlines over 'miracle' cures

Quote:

Shyam Manav, who runs an anti-superstition movement through his organisation Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti, offered to pay 3m rupees ($36,500; £30,000) if Mr Shastri correctly read the minds of 10 people chosen by him.
The challenge was made when Mr Shastri was holding a camp in the city of Nagpur in Maharashtra - the state where Mr Manav is based.
When Mr Shastri left the city without taking the challenge, some said he'd run away.

Various magicians and mentalists have also stood forward and claimed they could do the same as Mr Shastri, but without magic.

On the other hand, fraud pays:

Quote:

One of his schoolmates told BBC Hindi that a few years ago, Mr Shastri disappeared for a year. It was after his return that politicians and other influential people started visiting the temple to meet him.
"Until five years ago, he used to travel on motorbikes," he said.
Today, he travels in a convoy of a dozen cars and flies around, sometimes by private jets, in India and abroad.

He has gained the support of the ruling Hindu fanatics because he argues for making India a Hindu state.

Bikewer · 6th February 2023, 07:36 AM

Just saw this on my Reddit feed… The long history of Indian “god men” is well known and the vibrant skeptical movement in that country is often shouted down by both religious and political figures.

sackett · 6th February 2023, 09:33 AM

A holy baboo of the usual sort does the suckerfish on fundamentalist Hindu pols, and wottaya know? It pays!

sackett · 6th February 2023, 09:34 AM

DP deleted.

The Atheist · 6th February 2023, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by steenkh

On the other hand, fraud pays:

As was it ever thus.

Having cabinet ministers on your side is a big help, though.

A bit of graft in the right direction is a good career move.

Susheel · 6th February 2023, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by Bikewer

Just saw this on my Reddit feed… The long history of Indian “god men” is well known and the vibrant skeptical movement in that country is often shouted down by both religious and political figures.

They also get killed: Govind Pansare, Narendra Dhabolkar, M. M. Kalburgi; or have to flee the country: Sanal Edamaruku

dudalb · 7th February 2023, 04:41 PM

Hinduism's Answer to Orel Roberts and Company.

Susheel · 14th February 2023, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by dudalb

Hinduism's Answer to Orel Roberts and Company.

Hey...we perfected the art of the religious scam long before you guys did... In fact your Orel Roberts and Company eat dust in the wake of scamsters like Sai Baba, Nithyananda, Jaggi Vasudev and others

Spektator · 15th February 2023, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by dudalb

Hinduism's Answer to Orel Roberts and Company.

Oral Roberts. You may be thinking of Moral Orel, but Roberts wasn't that.

6th February 2023, 03:05 AM	#1
steenkh Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 6,841	Indian miracle guru confronted by skeptics An Indian guru claims that he can heal all sorts of ailments, and he can read people’s minds. However, he is not unopposed: Bageshwar Dham Sarkar: The Indian guru making headlines over 'miracle' cures Quote: Shyam Manav, who runs an anti-superstition movement through his organisation Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti, offered to pay 3m rupees ($36,500; £30,000) if Mr Shastri correctly read the minds of 10 people chosen by him. The challenge was made when Mr Shastri was holding a camp in the city of Nagpur in Maharashtra - the state where Mr Manav is based. When Mr Shastri left the city without taking the challenge, some said he'd run away. Various magicians and mentalists have also stood forward and claimed they could do the same as Mr Shastri, but without magic. On the other hand, fraud pays: Quote: One of his schoolmates told BBC Hindi that a few years ago, Mr Shastri disappeared for a year. It was after his return that politicians and other influential people started visiting the temple to meet him. "Until five years ago, he used to travel on motorbikes," he said. Today, he travels in a convoy of a dozen cars and flies around, sometimes by private jets, in India and abroad. He has gained the support of the ruling Hindu fanatics because he argues for making India a Hindu state.
	__________________ Steen -- Jack of all trades - master of none!

6th February 2023, 09:33 AM	#3
sackett Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Detroit Posts: 8,386	A holy baboo of the usual sort does the suckerfish on fundamentalist Hindu pols, and wottaya know? It pays!
	__________________ If you would learn a man's character, give him authority. If you would ruin a man's character, let him seize power. Last edited by sackett; 6th February 2023 at 09:35 AM.

6th February 2023, 09:34 AM	#4
sackett Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Detroit Posts: 8,386	DP deleted.
	__________________ If you would learn a man's character, give him authority. If you would ruin a man's character, let him seize power. Last edited by sackett; 6th February 2023 at 09:36 AM.

6th February 2023, 11:25 AM	#5
The Atheist The Grammar Tyrant Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 33,580	Originally Posted by steenkh On the other hand, fraud pays: As was it ever thus. Having cabinet ministers on your side is a big help, though. A bit of graft in the right direction is a good career move.
	__________________ The point of equilibrium has passed; satire and current events are now indistinguishable.

6th February 2023, 11:41 PM	#6
Susheel Illuminator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hyderabad, India Posts: 3,177	Originally Posted by Bikewer Just saw this on my Reddit feed… The long history of Indian “god men” is well known and the vibrant skeptical movement in that country is often shouted down by both religious and political figures. They also get killed: Govind Pansare, Narendra Dhabolkar, M. M. Kalburgi; or have to flee the country: Sanal Edamaruku
	__________________ I've got to get to a library...fast Robert Langdon

6th February 2023, 07:36 AM	#2
Bikewer Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St. Louis, Mo. Posts: 13,198	Just saw this on my Reddit feed… The long history of Indian “god men” is well known and the vibrant skeptical movement in that country is often shouted down by both religious and political figures.

7th February 2023, 04:41 PM	#7
dudalb Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento Posts: 58,592	Hinduism's Answer to Orel Roberts and Company.
	__________________ Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay - and claims a halo for his dishonesty. Robert Heinlein.

14th February 2023, 11:08 PM	#8
Susheel Illuminator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hyderabad, India Posts: 3,177	Originally Posted by dudalb Hinduism's Answer to Orel Roberts and Company. Hey...we perfected the art of the religious scam long before you guys did... In fact your Orel Roberts and Company eat dust in the wake of scamsters like Sai Baba, Nithyananda, Jaggi Vasudev and others
	__________________ I've got to get to a library...fast Robert Langdon

15th February 2023, 10:29 AM	#9
Spektator Watching . . . always watching. Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeastern USA Posts: 2,174	Originally Posted by dudalb Hinduism's Answer to Orel Roberts and Company. Oral Roberts. You may be thinking of Moral Orel, but Roberts wasn't that.