Nirmukta » Video

A Way Of Life Without Religion – Demystifying Chinmayananda

Ajita Kamal — Thu, 12 May 2011 06:10:34 +0000

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Hindus who know of Balakrishna Menon refer to him as Swami Chinmayananda. This ‘holy man’ was the inspiration behind the Chinmaya Mission, a group that promotes the spiritual teachings of Chinmayananda. The Mission is run by a trust, and has over 300 centers around the world. The official objectives of the Mission are to:

“To provide to individuals, from any background, the wisdom of Vedanta and practical means for spiritual growth and happiness, enabling them to become a positive contributor to the society.”

Long before Ramdev and Sri² came onto the scene, Chinmayananda was preaching the “spiritual art of living”. His Mission continues to condition hundreds of thousands of children into subscribing to a bunch of stone-age ideas. In this article posted on Nirmukta, Ranganath R. describes, through an encounter he had with one of these Chinmaya ‘spiritualists’, how they go about promoting their superstitions.

The video is self-explanatory. I do not put on much of a confrontational tone, avoiding discussion on the major injustices caused by religion, in order to focus on the reasons for why indeed we can have a fulfilling and moral way of life without religion.

Zakir Naik Doesn’t Understand Atheism

Ajita Kamal — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 08:32:42 +0000

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Zakir Naik is an Islamic apologist who travels around India and abroad spewing medieval propagandist arguments in support of his rationally indefensible Islamic beliefs. It doesn’t help that he seems incapable of understanding what Atheism means, but so does his audience, which helps him keep them cheering for Team Islam. Naik has made an art of deliberately presenting straw-man arguments to divert attention from the incoherent logic of his religious apologetics.

It has been argued that Naik may actually know better regarding what Atheism is, but there is no reason to posit that there is any more understanding behind Naik’s statements than is evident. Naik’s self-deception is bound in a feedback loop with showmanship, and is an integral aspect of his belief system, made possible by the human propensity for compartmentalization of belief. Sure, if Naik could counter his confirmation bias by adhering to the scientific method in his quest for answers, and evaluate the data objectively, he would understand what the actual claims of the Atheists are. But I doubt if those essential initial conditions will ever come together.

Debunking Indian Godmen- Prof. Narendra Nayak on India Live TV

Editor — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:24:50 +0000

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In this News 24 program, Professor of Biochemistry and President of the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations, Narendra Nayak debunks “miracles” of “Godmen/women” with live demonstrations and scientific explanations.

Featuring:

Tricks with fire:
How to hold fire with your bare hands and even your tongue!
and
How to have an “Agni-snan” or “Fire-bath” and be a “Fire-eater”.

Tricks with Oil:

How to put you hand in boiling oil and not get burned!
and
How to take Puris out of boiling oil with your bare hands.

Feats with Piercings and Trishuls!

Stiffen your body and become superhuman!

How to lift a 100 kilo weight with four people each using their index fingers only!

Make water disappear and reappear!

And also, a SURPRISE FINALE, rivalling Satya Sai Baba!

Reason in Motion – George Carlin Typography

Bala Bhaskar — Mon, 24 May 2010 12:42:00 +0000

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George Carlin ‘s fiery takedown in kinetic typography.

This video was made by Bala to promote the Nirmukta community of Freethinkers who are concerned with promoting science, reason and Freethought in India. Please visit our community forums at http://nirmukta.net

Reason in Motion – Dawkins Typography (Promo for Nirmukta.Net by Bala Bhaskar)

Bala Bhaskar — Sat, 15 May 2010 15:46:55 +0000

Kinematic typography featuring perhaps one of Richard Dawkins’ most famous rebuttals. I made this video for Nirmukta to promote their forum nirmukta.net .

Click here to view the embedded video.

Basava Premanand Featured On Australian TV Show, 60 Minutes- Youtube Video

Sajith C — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 07:27:44 +0000

Editor’s Note: Video footage of Basava Premanand from the Australian TV show, 60 Minutes, aired on 9 Network Australia in August, 1997.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

B. Premanand (17 February 1930 04 October 2009) was an eminent skeptic and rationalist from India. He was the founder of Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations (FIRA) and he was also the convener of Indian CSICOP, a skeptic group which is an affiliate of CSICOP. He was the owner-publisher-editor of the monthly magazine, The Indian Skeptic, which “publishes articles on the scientific investigation of apparently paranormal occurrences with a special emphasis on cases from India”.

Basava Premanand Video: Posted on youtube by Sajith C of Science Trust

Editor — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:19:35 +0000

This is a video of Basava Premanand, founder of the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations and Indian CSICOP which published Indian Skeptic magazine. Premanand has been featured in many documentaries, notably ones by the BBC.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Critical Thinking: A Video By QualiaSoup On Youtube

Editor — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:26:24 +0000

This is an excellent short video by youtube user QualiaSoup that explains the nature of and the need for critical thinking. Related posts: Basava Premanand Featured On Australian TV Show, 60 Minutes- Youtube Video Basava Premanand Video: Posted on youtube by Sajith C of Science Trust Selling Rational Thinking Watch BBC Video: Supernatural Revealed in India Tribute to Indian Atheists, Parts – I and II (Video) Freethought News: Weeping Mary (Mathavu) to be Investigated by Rationalists (Video)

Related posts:

Carl Sagan featuring Stephen Hawking- A Glorious Dawn

Editor — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:51:20 +0000

This is an incredible piece of work by youtube user melodysheep.

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Here are the notes that were posted with the video:

My own musical tribute to two great men of science. Carl Sagan and his cosmologist companion Stephen Hawking present: A Glorious Dawn – Cosmos remixed. Almost all samples and footage taken from Carl Sagan’s Cosmos and Stephen Hawking’s Universe series.

RIP Dr. Sagan, you will be missed!!

Please, click HQ to watch in better quality.

Go here to download the track:
http://www.symphonyofscience.com

And here for another scientist remix:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGK84P…

And my website for more original music:
http://www.colorpulsemusic.com/

Watch BBC Video: Supernatural Revealed in India

Editor — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:36:33 +0000

This video is self-explanatory and almost no introduction is needed. All I will say here is that the rationalist in the video is Narendra Nayak, president of the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations. If you watch closely, the late Basava Premanand appears for a second or two, providing support (and advise, no doubt) to the younger rationalists.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The rationalist movement in India needs more volunteers. If you like what these brave folks are doing, please consider joining and helping in the effort. Together let’s fight these superstitious ideas that pervade our culture.