India Should Not Arrest the Avatar of Sai Baba
Press Trusted of India is reporting that Madhushila Sahu and 14 members of her family where arrested in Chhattisgarh village. According to the local Superintendent of police they were charged with “spreading superstition and hurting the religious sentiments of the people”. The villages started worshiping her as they considered her to be the reincarnation of the saint Sai Baba. But is this fair? Are we applying the same standards to everyone who is claiming to be a god, son of god, saint, angel or avatar?
Religious belief is a matter of faith and not fact. No religion in the world can stand up to modern scientific scrutiny. You have the right to believe that Jesus is the son of God, and that a Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus. You may also believe that the earth is the center of the universe and that the entire universe was created in six days (remember God rested on the seventh day). How does these beliefs compare with what scientists have discovered about the earth and the universe? The earth is about 5 billion years old and the solar system is about 15 billion years old. How can you create everything in seven days when the concept of hours, days and nights is there only because of earths rotation around its axis (there is no day or night in space). Obviously the gods, saints, angels and the authors of the various books in the Bible where not aware of this little fact. Now to add insult to injury how would you feel if the police walked into your house and arrested you for following a belief system that is scientifically inaccurate?
Can you arrest a person for believing that he or she is a divine incarnation? Can you arrest the family members and followers of individuals who are making such claims? The answer is no if you live in a secular democratic republic. According to Catholic theology the Pope is an avatar of St. Peter. According to Buddhist beliefs the Dalai Lama is an avatar of Buddha. Not to worry. The Dalai Lama and the Pope will not be arrested any time soon. The reason is that they are leaders of mainstream religion although they make claims that are identical to the claims of the poor girl Madhushila Sahu. But she is slightly different from the rest in one way. Madhushila has so far not given “sainthood” to any of her followers. The Pope is about to proclaim that Mother Theresa is a saint. The Dalai Lama has already used his divine powers to appoint the next Lama (of course the Chinese disagree and they have their own nominee). Is the Indian government going to investigate whether any of these claims have any merit?
Mainstream religions are like private companies. They do not like competition. Any individual or group that deviates from the status quo is often called by different derogatory names like heretics or sects. They use their power and influence to keep the lid on these heretics as much as they can. I think that the reason that they indulge in this cannibalism is because deep within they realize that they themselves where labeled heretics at certain points in their religious history.
I support Madhushila although I believe that she is lying and that her followers are fools. Religion is big but shady business. She has every right to get her share of the pie. I strongly encourage Madhushila to get a good lawyer. In countries like America a case like this would be fought for free by good lawyers from organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
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Category: Culture & Religion