Tópico: Morte de cético indiano

[Lion]

Sei lá, parece meio besta comentar a morte de um cara apenas pelo fato de ser cético, e daí se morreu, mas achei interessante por se tratar de um cara que vivia em um país mergulhado em superstições e combatia as maluquices.

Encontrei  a matéria lá no facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=147366835797&ref=nf

Skeptical Inquirer: News from Innaiah N at Hyderabad, India (Center for Inquiry India)

Mr Basava Premanand, the great humanist, rationalist, skeptic died at 2.20 pm on 4 sep 2009 in Podanur, near Coimbatore, Chennai, India.

He was suffering with cancer for some time.

Mr Premanand executed a will asking to handover his body to a medical college.
He was the founder president of Federation of Rationalist, humanist, atheist associations of India.
He edited Indian Skeptic monthly and handed over to Mr Narendra Naik in the last days.
Mr Premanand instituted Science Musueum of Dr P M Bhargava in his own building at Podanur for the sake of public.

Mr Premanand toured world and exposed the fradulent cult gurus, divine babas, and holy mathas.He trained several persons with rational attitude and taught magic as weapon of scientific expression.
He wrote number of books including Murders in Satya Sai Ashram, Science and Miracles etc.
Mr James Randi appreciated the efforts of Mr Premanand in his writings.
Center for Inquiry India, Manava Vikas Vedika, Rationalist association of India, Indian Radical Humanist association, express their sorrow at the death of Mr Premanand.
He is 80.


Note From CSI

We are very saddened to learn of this news. Premanand has been a great friend and tireless defender of science and reason. The Skeptial Inquirer had over the years brought Premanand to the United States to lecture and perform at CSI conferences, as well as for various local skeptic’s groups across the US. He duplicated the "feats of the Godmen" to show that their alleged miracles were simply accomplished by the use of magic. But perhaps I should not say "simply." Premanand had great skill at conjuring, and great insight into human psychology and how we can be fooled, especially when we want to believe. I saw Premanand perform several times over the years, I was always amazed, impressed, and thankful to have him on our side.

[Brazuzan]

O Premanand era esperto: sabendo que ele incomodou muita gente durante a vida, pensou na possibilidade de surgirem pessoas jurando que ele se converteu pouco antes da morte. Então, para evitar oportunistas, ele escreveu um testemunho reafirmando que sua visão de mundo não mudou com a proximidade do fim. Não achei traduzido para o português, mas como a notícia acima também foi citada em inglês, aí está:

TO WHOMEVER  IT MAY CONCERN

Declaration of attitude and temperament

I, B. Premanand s/o late Sri Basava Prabhu, 80 years of age resident Chettipalayam Road, Podanur,  sound of mind though suffering from physical complications caused by metastases in many organs caused by carcinoma of the stomach herein solemnly wish to place on record the following:

1. I have been closely associated with the rationalist movement from 1975 onwards and have been a rationalist of full conviction since then and continue to be so.
2. It is common for the purveyors of superstitions and such anti rational forces to start spreading rumors about rationalists turning to god and other supernatural forces at the end of their lives and becoming devotees of gods and god men of various types.
3. It is also claimed that at times of crises that we staunch rationalists through the major part of our lives, turn to spiritualism and religion.
4. I wish to clarify that as on today the twentieth of September,2009 I remain a staunch rationalist and wish to place on record the following:

• a. I continue to be a rationalist of full conviction.
• b. I do not believe in any supernatural power. All the powers that we encounter are in the realm of nature and nothing exists beyond that.
• c. I do not believe in the existence of the soul or rebirth.
• d. I have not turned to any religion, god or any sort of spiritual pursuits.
• e. When I pass away I shall be leaving only my body which is to be donated to a medical college and no spirit or soul to cause problems for the living.

I want to convey to all that the struggle against the exploitation by god men and so called supernatural forces is a long and hard one but the ultimate victory will be ours.
My very survival has been a challenge to astrologers and their so called “science” of astrology, as they had all predicted that I would die soon after birth and refused to cast a horoscope for me.
I wish to convey to my colleagues of the rationalist movement to continue the work that I have been doing with renewed vigor and that will be the best of tributes for me.

Abhirami Hospital

Podanur                                                                                (B. Premanand)

Witnessed by:  Dr. Maya Prabhu and Suneera

fonte: http://nirmukta.com/2009/09/22/premanand-in-abhirami-hospital-coimbatore/

[West]

Hehehe! 

Esse não corre o risco de ser incluído naquela famosa listas crente dos ateus que se arrependeram na hora da morte.

[Lion]

Dawkins  disse que vai fazer algo parecido, para evitar o famoso “ele se converteu”