Monday, April 2, 2012

Debunking that so called Scientific validation of temples!



I am sure that you all would have seen this nonsense on your Facebook walls. It was so funny but there were a lot of people with no critical thinking skills who lapped it all up credulously.
So, this debunking was overdue. Go ahead and laugh till your bellies ache :-)

    Scientific Reasons :
   
||There are thousands of temples all over India in different size, shape and locations ||

Hmmm, okay. So? It just goes to show that there are a lot of credulous believers and that this is a very lucrative business.
 
|| but not all of them are considered to be built the Vedic way. ||

What’s that? Looking at the pic, I guess they must have been thinking of veD*CK way! ;-)

   
|| Generally, a temple should be located at ||

Well, go on…
   
||  a place where earth's magnetic wave path passes through densely. ||

What was that??!!! Is there such a place? “Magnetic wave passing through densely” Just because this sentence sounds SCIENCEy doesn’t make it pertinent! It is simply inane & asinine!
And by the way, what exactly is a "Magnetic Wave"???
[For the kind information of the unsuspecting people who readily accept such things, there is no such entity as a "Magnetic Wave".]
 
|| It can be in the outskirts of a town/village or city, or in middle of the dwelling place, or on a hilltop. ||


No matter where, I bet you there will be a lot of suckers ready to go there to waste precious time, money, energy & emotion! It’s such a sad state of affairs really :-(
    
|| The essence of visiting a temple is discussed here. ||


Ah ha, let’s see what all woo is gonna come forth, shall we? :-)
Folks, let us be prepared for a verbal diarrhea of bullshit :-)
   
|| Now, these temples are located strategically at a place where the positive energy is abundantly available from the magnetic and electric wave distributions of north/south pole thrust. ||


Ha ha ha ha… ROTFLOL!!! Let’s hear that again, shall we? :-) “Where the positive energy is abundantly available from the magnetic and electric wave distributions of north/south pole thrust.”

Let’s try to understand what is meant by this weasel word “Energy”.Borrowing Brian Dunnings’ words-
(from here- http://infactvideo.com/episode/01/05/)
----------------------------------------
“Do you ever hear people talking about energy fields? What does that mean?

Especially when the subject of New Age alternative medicine comes up, you'll often hear people refer to energy fields. Life energy, spiritual energy, the body's energy fields. That sure sounds pretty cool; is it actually a real thing that we can detect and use somehow?
To answer that we have to start by understanding what energy really is. In short, energy is a measurement of something's ability to do work. It's measured in joules, after the 19th century physicist James Joule. Think of Einstein's equation E = mc2. Energy is a function of mass. How much mass you can move a certain distance, is exactly how much energy you have.
The electrical energy in this battery contains enough joules of work to move an electric train a certain distance. If I raise this weight, I input enough joules of potential kinetic energy to break six bones in my foot. That's basically what "energy" is.
But that doesn't seem to match very well with how we hear the word "energy" being used. We're told there are energy fields, that enlightened people can tap into and draw strength from. Like a glowing, hovering cloud of power, how you might envision a highly evolved creature from the original Star Trek series. That's kind of what it sounds like an energy field is. New Age concepts like reiki or feng shui are entirely built upon the presumed existence of such fields.
But the scientific definition of energy seems inadequate to explain these. Why is that? It's because the word "energy" has been hijacked for its scientific-sounding value.
Real energy fields, like the electromagnetic field surrounding a magnet, the heat radiating from a warm body, or the gravitational field around a planet, have definite properties -- and their strength, and thus their energy, can be precisely measured.
On the other hand, New Age energy fields, like your bodies supposed "life energy", have no describable properties, cannot be detected, and do no measurable work. We can't say they don't exist, but since they are undetectable, we can say that their existence has yet to be demonstrated.
When you hear the word "energy" being used in a sales pitch or an advertisement, pay very close attention to how it's being used. If it's anything other than a quantifiable measurement of work, the word is being misused and you are being misled. And now you have the tools to respond.”
-------------------------------------

Okay, let us now get back to the jokes

    || The main idol is placed in the core center of the temple, known as "*Garbhagriha*" or *Moolasthanam*. ||


So??? It just shows the primitive ideas. If you notice, all these ancient, primitive people always talk in terms of fertility- Egg, womb, etc. Because life was so difficult in those days, premature death was common and survival was a daily fight. A lot of uncertainties (just like nowadays) but no knowledge to analyze them! They knew how important fertility was and so venerated fertility.
   
|| In fact, the temple structure is built after the idol has been placed. ||


So??? Does the idol draw all the “Energy” from that place or is it just placed in a place with full of “Energy”? :-) If it is the place that is important, then you accept that the idol is just a dummy; and if you feel that the idol makes the “Energy” then you agree that the place was insignificant to begin with! ;-)
    
|| This *Moolasthanam* is where earth’s magnetic waves are found to be maximum. ||


Oh really? Has anybody measured it? It really is not all that difficult, you know...
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Elec_p030.shtml
   
|| We know that there are some copper plates, inscribed with Vedic scripts, buried beneath the Main Idol. What are they really? ||


Useless piece of crap! Perhaps, worth only the value of copper (excluding any worth it may have gained as a result of it being an “antique piece”)

   
|| No, they are not God’s / priests’ flash cards when they forget the *shlokas*. ||

Ha ha ha… Just imagine the pimps, I mean priests, hurriedly digging up the plates to mutter their mumbo jumbo which they may have forgotten! Ha ha ha!
Actually, doesn’t matter whatever crap they may spout- whether authentic scriptures or totally made up mumbo jumbo- Those are still crap! :-) Nobody understands them :-) As if the credulous believers care what exactly is being chanted! :-)

   
|| The copper plate absorbs earth’s magnetic waves and radiates it to the surroundings. ||

Really??? No way! You are exposing your profound ignorance! :-) Copper is not attracted to magnets. Iron and perhaps Steel, Cobalt & Nickel are attracted to a magnet. Surely NOT copper plates. Perhaps Copper wire can be turned into a magnet, by passing electrical current; but surely NOT copper plates! :-)


|| Thus a person regularly visiting a temple and walking clockwise around the Main Idol receives the beamed magnetic waves and his body absorbs it. ||

[Oh! Just imagine… Blue (can be any other colour you like) coloured beams of “energy” buzzing out of the idol and engulfing the person who goes around it, BUT only in a clockwise direction! Ha ha ha… Funny & wicked, naa??!!! :-)]

Once again I repeat, human body cannot receive magnetic waves (whatever it may be) and surely the body cannot absorb it! :-) If that was the case, then imagine what would happen during every Magnetic resonance scan! :-)

   
||  This is a very slow process and a regular visit will let him absorb more of this positive energy. ||

Just Shut up, will you?!! Any further use of the vague word “Energy” is going to be met with this standard response! “Energy” used in this way is a weasel word as explained in detail above!

   
|| Scientifically, it is the positive energy that we all require to have a healthy life. ||

“Scientifically”??? This is a flagrant and malevolent misuse of the word science to gain credibility which you know you will never be able to garner otherwise!
   
|| Further, the Sanctum is closed on three sides. ||

Hmm, how I wish that somebody closes it down completely!!! :-)
On a side note, do you realize that it becomes a dangerous place just because of this???


|| This increases the effect of all energies. ||

There! There is that weasel word “Energy” and so I am afraid I have got to use the standard response- Shut up, WILL YOU?!!!

   
|| The lamp that is lit radiates heat energy and also provides light inside the sanctum to the priests or *poojaris* performing the pooja. ||

I wonder why they need the light and heat. Can’t they just use their divine powers? :-) Why shouldn’t they simply pray to some “Light bagawaan” and “Heat bagawaan” for the same? :-) Perhaps, they know the futility of praying to Agni bagawaan and his powerlessness will be exposed if they resorted ONLY to prayers ;-)
And as explained above, a closed, crowded space with hardly any ventilation and plenty of credulous, deluded and blinded by faith suckers is a dangerous place by any account!

   
|| The ringing of the bells and the chanting of prayers takes a worshipper into trance, thus not letting his mind waver. ||

Wait. It only creates a cacophonic nuisance! It’s only when you have already been brainwashed during impressionable childhood into thinking of it in undeserved high regard that you feel that it takes you into a trance! Just imagine a bemused and irritated Hindu in a mosque/church, or a bemused and irritated Christian in a temple/ mosque, or a bemused and irritated Muslim in a church/ temple… You get the idea, right? :-)

   
|| When done in groups, this helps people forget personal problems for a while and relieve their stress. ||

Ever wondered why the same effect NEVER happens whenever a christian/ muslim/ jew/ atheist enters a temple? Why is it that only the hindu finds the effect in a hindu place of worship???


Typical herd mentality of the credulous believers! Mental mast*rbation ;-) No doubt it might get you on a high! Such gatherings and rituals are sometimes, quite appropriately, called “Serotonin factories.” It might give you a high… But alas! It is a false high! Just a hangover effect of child abuse of childhood indoctrination and cultural imperialism!
   
|| The fragrance from the flowers, the burning of camphor give out the chemical energy further aiding in a different good aura. ||

There! There is that weasel word “Energy” and so I am afraid I have got to use the standard response- Shut up, WILL YOU?!!!
For fragrance, going to a garden or a park is a far better experience. And camphor fumes are best avoided. It can only harm, can never help! It can cause seizures, hallucinations, confusion, etc!

   
||  The effect of all these energies is supplemented by the positive energy from the idol, the copper plates and utensils in the *Moolasthan*am / *Garbagraham*. ||

There! There is that weasel word “Energy” and so I am afraid I have got to use the standard response- Shut up, WILL YOU?!!!
Keep using that weasel word, and keep listening to this standard response! :-)

|| *Theertham*, the “holy” water used during the pooja to wash the idol is not plain water cleaning the dust off an idol. ||

Ha ha ha… Of course it is not plain water. It is contaminated water! :-)

   
|| It is a concoction of Cardamom,*Karpura* (Benzoin), zaffron / saffron, *Tulsi* (Holy Basil), Clove, etc... ||

If you want such a concoction, then I bet you that it will be far better and safer to COOK it hygienically in the kitchen! :-)


|| Washing the idol is to charge the water with the magnetic radiations thus increasing its medicinal values. ||

“Charge the water with magnetic radiations” Wow! :-) Such gullibility is truly awesome! Just what exactly is meant by that gem? :-)
As already explained, the idol or even the copper plates are NOT magnetic!
And one cannot just “charge” the water with magnetic radiations!
I challenge you to present a paper on this pet hypothesis of yours for a thorough peer review and scientific analysis! I am sure even you know what will be the outcome! You will be the laughing stock and the butt of ridicule for years to come! :-)

Also, such a water can only CAUSE illness, it can never be medicinal! This is outright medical  quackery which ranks as a highly abominable practice!!!

    
|| Three spoons of this holy water is distributed to devotees. ||

Why only three? :-) Why not 2 or 4 or 5 or 1? Oh wait, we know... if you want more you need to PURCHASE it :-) After all, it’s a very good business of all the temples and other religious places of worship :-)

  || Again, this water is mainly a source of magneto-therapy. ||

Ha ha ha… Magneto-therapy is bullshit!
http://www.sillybeliefs.com/magnets.html

And for some laughs at the expense of those who peddle these wares and those who suck it up gullibly, check this out-



It is another form of quackery and already pointed out, medical quackery is one of the most odious of all charlatanry! Grrrrrr…

|| Besides, the clove essence protects one from tooth decay, the saffron & *Tulsi* leafs protects one from common cold and cough, cardamom and *Pachha Karpuram* (benzoin), act as mouth fresheners. ||

So, why not just take the clove essence to protect from tooth decay? I suggest that it will be far better to just follow regular oral hygienic measures that I bet you will be a lot more effective. And it is tried and definitely tested too :-)
Saffron and Tulsi protect from common cold? :-) Oh lovely! Why not suggest these to all the people who are so paranoid about the common cold and especially against Swine Flu nowadays? After all, the H1N1 is also a common cold causing virus with a Fancy name J Will you be ready to forego vaccination in lieu of this holy “theertham”??? :-)

   
|| It is proved that *Theertham* is a very good blood purifier, as it is highly energized. ||

Just Shut up!!! What the hell do they mean by "blood purification"? It is mainly a job of the Kidneys and the liver. Unless they explain what they mean by such vague terminologies, these claims must be dismissed off contemptuously! And ruthlessly too, for it is dangerous to fool people when it comes to medical and health issues.


|| Hence it is given as *prasadam* to the devotees. ||

The only good prasadam will be the Sundal, Pongal, Paanagham, etc. That too, only in moderation (as with everything else) Certainly NOT this contaminated water!


|| This way, one can claim to remain healthy by regularly visiting the Temples. ||

Going to a temple is ALWAYS a health hazard. As pointed out earlier, it is a crowded, infectious, poorly ventilated, lousily designed for emergency exit, place full of contaminated air, water and food… Not to mention the vitiating atmosphere to young children who get brainwashed!

   
|| This is why our elders used to suggest us to offer prayers at the temple so that you will be cured of many ailments. ||

Well, that’s secondary rationalization! :-) The “elders” have never ever mentioned in any of the holy scriptures that THIS was the reason! :-) You are just trying to beguile the innocent people. For your kind information, the so called elders had no valid ideas about what CAUSED the ailments! :-)

   
|| They were not always superstitious. ||

Of course they were almost always! Except for those who had the brains and the balls to question all the nonsense that was happening! But surely, these are not the “elders” that you refer to :-)


|| Yes, in a few cases they did go overboard when due to ignorance they hoped many serious diseases could be cured at temples by deities. ||

Thanks for agreeing that they were stupidly dumb. I am sure you couldn’t find any secondary rationalizations for ALL the irrational superstitions that they practiced.

   
|| When people go to a temple for the *Deepaaraadhana*, and when the doors open up, the positive energy gushes out onto the persons who are there. ||

There! There is that weasel word “Energy” and so I am afraid I have got to use the standard response- Shut up, WILL YOU?!!!

   
|| The water that is sprinkled onto the assemblages passes on the energy to all. ||

There! There is that weasel word “Energy” and so I am afraid I have got to use the standard response- Shut up, WILL YOU?!!!

   
|| This also explains why men are not allowed to wear shirts at a few temples and women are requested to wear more ornaments during temple visits. ||

Huh?!! Why? I mean WHY? Should only the men benefit and not the women? Once again goes to show why all religions are misogynistic to the core! The men are basically forced to be bare-chested so that they could identify who are all wearing the sacred thread and who are not- organized, divinely codified and sanctioned discrimination!

 
|| It is through these jewels (metal) that positive energy is absorbed by the women. ||

There! There is that weasel word “Energy” and so I am afraid I have got to use the standard response- Shut up, WILL YOU?!!!
Why not make the women go bare-chested and make the men wear all the jewels??? I mean, I don’t want that enforced, but just for an arguments’ sake… Let there be a choice. Why should it be enforced?

   
|| Also, it is a practice to leave newly purchased jewels at an idol’s feet and then wear them with the idol’s blessings. ||

Yet another dumb, irrational hangover of “Ancient-Wisdom” :-)

   
|| This act is now justified after reading this article. This act of “seeking divine blessings” before using any new article, like books or pens or automobiles may have stemmed from this through mere observation. ||

Hmmmm, more bunk! This “article” of yours is nothing but a bunch of utterly baseless claims and a load of rubbish really!
   
|| Energy lost in a day’s work is regained through a temple visit and one is refreshed slightly. ||

There! There is that weasel word “Energy” and so I am afraid I have got to use the standard response- Shut up, WILL YOU?!!!

   
|| The positive energy that is spread out in the entire temple and especially around where the main idol is placed, are simply absorbed by one's body and mind. ||

There! There is that weasel word “Energy” and so I am afraid I have got to use the standard response- Shut up, WILL YOU?!!! :-)

   
|| Did you know, every Vaishnava(Vishnu devotees), “must” visit a Vishnu temple twice every day in their location. ||

Why should it be a MUST? Do you know that every muslim MUST perform the prayers 5 times a day at specific times. Won’t it be considered MORE powerful than the Vaishana practice? Surely 5>2, right?? :-)
And if you ask a muslim, he/she will have equally or even more whacky reasons to support their dumb beliefs and practices! :-) There are plenty of muslim apologetic websites. Just give it a try… Just for the belly aching laughter.

   
|| Our practices are NOT some hard and fast rules framed by 1 man and his followers or God’s words in somebody’s dreams. ||

Thanks for accepting that it is not one man's work or a gOD (Whatever It May Be) words in somebody's dreams :-)
   
|| All the rituals, all the practices are, in reality, well researched, studied and scientifically backed thesis which form the ways of nature to lead a good healthy life. ||

Oh wow!
“Well researched”, eh? Can I have the references PLEASE? :-)
“Studied”, eh? I wonder by whom? I am sure their “study” would have involved scratching their chins thoughtfully, analyzing the baseless claims mentioned above and arriving at the predetermined conclusion that all that crap is profound wisdom! :-) Can I please have access to the peer reviewed papers on this? :-) Thank you :-)
“Scientifically backed thesis”??!!! My foot! Such utter nonsense can never be scientifically backed! In fact, this is antithesis of science! It’s high time such despicable scumbags who take the name of science to garner automatic respect for such bullshit are challenged head on!
   
|| The scientific and research part of the practices are well camouflaged as “elder’s instructions” or “granny’s teaching’s” which should be obeyed as a mark of respect so as to once again, avoid stress to the mediocre brains. ||

What?!! Mediocre brains??? How can you automatically assume that all human brains are mediocre? Isn’t it condescending on your part? As elaborated earlier, there is NOTHING scientific in all the practices. In fact, they are all thoroughly irrational. And there is no proper scientific research in any of it. This talk of irrational stupidities being “camouflaged” is a cheap attempt at secondary rationalization. These were dogmatic dictums that one must follow- so typically religious!

In fact, every sentence there eked of ignorance coupled with arrogant certainty! They are all total bunk which even a primary school student armed with critical thinking skills can debunk!

Come let’s teach everyone the all important critical thinking skills!
http://ganeshveluswami.blogspot.in/2010/07/most-important-education-for-all.html

P.S.: Whenever you hear the word "energy" being mentioned anywhere please do this-
Substitute the word "energy" with "measurable work capability" and check if it still makes sense. If it does, then it is proper science (because that's what it means in science); and if it sounds like nonsense then it indeed is nonsense and the person is trying to use the word "energy" just to sound scientific.
Please try it on these words: Positive energy, Negative energy, Spiritual energy, Divine energy, etc ;-)

Similarly, whenever someone uses the word "vibration", replace it with "uniform oscillation around a mean" or "a regular periodic variation about a mean". If it still makes sense, then it is proper science
(because that's what it means in science); and if it sounds like nonsense then it indeed is nonsense and the person is trying to use the word "energy" just to sound scientific.
Please try it on these words: Positive vibrations, Negative vibrations, Spiritual vibrations, Divine vibrations, etc ;-)