They will not be affiliated to any conventional institution
The Atheist Centre here will open the country's first atheism university and research centre, coinciding with the centenary celebrations of social activist Saraswathi Gora on Wednesday.
The centre had been promoting a casteless society with a scientific outlook to help remove superstitions on a path shown by popular atheist Goparaju Ramachandra Rao (Gora).
Saraswathi Gora and their nine children not only carried forward the atheist ideology through practice, involving themselves in promoting alternative way of life with scientific outlook, and helping several researchers from all over the world to study this social aspect.
The university and research centre will not be affiliated to any conventional institution. It will have a large database of study material based on work done by Gora and other socialists from Germany or the United States. “We have roped in world's best resource persons and guides, who provide the right direction with the researcher not having to visit Vijayawada many times,” Atheist Centre directors Vijayam and Samaram told The Hindu.
Ground level actions of Gora and Saraswathi to remove the Devadasi system, and their interaction with Mahatma Gandhi, have been documented through several books, photographs and newspapers articles.
Keywords: Atheist Varsity, research centre, Vijayawada, Saraswati Gora
Congrats to Gora family,their commitment to atheism and rational thinking and promoting rationalistic thought.Hope,this university will bring enormous changes,hope it will cater poor and downtrodden people,will become a hub of innovation and social change in the upcoming years.
Congratulations.All the progressive people can ever be proud of it.So carry on the greatest ventures like this.We are looking forward for a brightest future.
Mr. Abdul Raheem and Mr. Nalli Sridhar Prasad Rao: Given below is the quote from the book 'The God Delusion' by Richard Dawkins.One of Einstein's most eagerly quoted remarks is 'Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.' But Einstein also said, "It was, of course, a lie what you read about my religious convictions, a lie which is being systematically repeated. I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly. If something is in me which can be called religious then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it."
Sometimes the words 'God' and 'Religion' are used in a sense that personally means different than what is the generally accepted notion. We should also try to make an effort to look at the context in which they were said and thereby conclude on those who said.
Many have studied science as a means of getting a decent job and they have went on to get a job relating to the applications of science. However, many of them have missed the opportunity of acquiring a scientific outlook and rational thinking which science provides. It is because of the the religious-brainwashing that they have had as they grew up. It is a welcome sight to see such organizations spring up in large cities in India and on the internet including many sites in Facebook. Thanks are due to progressive news media like The Hindu for publishing news about nonbelievers, a growing sector of Indian society.
This is great news. The university, I am certain, will get the support of rationalists throughout the country (and abroad). It isimportant to circulate the news as widely as possible.
Agreed to Mr. Abdul Raheem's remarks. So far what ever created with the wisdome of human have other side effects (not biodegradable), which is so called created with the help of science. Any way! I respect each one independent thoughts. We are here to learn. Learn with responsibility, wisdome. Wisdom is the gift of GOD. Our thinking will be on the basis of wisdom.
Religion and God are absolutely personal matters, and need no university to propogate nor denigrate. People who were staunch atheists once have turned devout spiritualists later and vice-versa. The opinion we held when we were young changes as we grow older and become mature. Ingersol and Socretes have been great rationalist thinkers,but that has not changed the world. Karl marx said that religion is the opium of people.Philosopher J.Krishnamurthy said that man clings to religion and God due to fear of insecurity. Nehru said that superstition and rituals have been invented by clever people to dupe the gullible and extract money. What appeals to one does not to another.
Religion and the temples bult in the name of Gods serve as a place of refuge for the hopeless. They are common forums for people to meet and converse, the need for which you realise especially when you have completed your active life.
Though I don't have a problem with promotion of a Soceity based on Science, but "Atheism" kills the very purpose of objective morality in one. In the words of Einstein "religion without science is blind science without religion is lame". Dawkins etc, the Prophets of Neo Atheism, have managed pretty much the same in shaping a shameless society, where everyone does what they think is right without the need to be held accountable for their deeds. That said, I strongly am in support of Science is being promoted, but not Godlessness. And also that the Caste system should be rooted out, which very much was instilled in the society to control the minds and society as a whole.
Excellent! And I love how positive everyone is about this. We need people and programs that promote rational thinking. It's about time that people realized that superstitions and religion tend to be divisive and even harmful, sometimes. Go India!
Our society is still dominated by delusions and superstitions. Let us hope that academic focus on promoting scientific views would bring some light, however little, into the darkness. Often, atheist movements are focused in the campaign front only, and the emphasis given to studies and research are less. Let us hope that the atheist university will contribute to fill this gap.
I am very happy to learn that such a university is going to start. It will be suitable homage to the memory of Prof. Gora whom I had the fortune of meeting several times during the second half of the 1950s onwards at both Patna and Delhi. In 1961-62 I met his eldest son Lavanam. Prof. Gora's book "An Atheist with Gandhi" is worth reading. On his advice, during my student days, I read books by Bertrand Russell and P.B.Shelley. He always logically argued and answered my questions.
While I respect the group for what they believe,I have to say that true happiness and salvation comes from God,who has been worshipped from ages ago.May God grant peace and salvation for all of us.
It is a great development. It is like rediscovering ourselves, re-connecting our materialistic atheist past which has been blurred by the brahminical domination.
I believe this is a world first in itself. At long last a great civilization like ours opens a portal for free thinkers. Absolutely brilliant. Proud to be Indian.
Great idea. This is very much needed in a country where superstitions like astrology are taught as 'sciences'. This comes as a breath of fresh air in our country where superstitions are glossed over as subjects of study in so called universities where results are manipulated or dubious findings reported as latest research. There are existing universities where there are no superstitious practices or any worship of so called divine powers where teachings of eminent atheists are also studied. But, an exclusive university for the study of atheism in highly superstitious country like India will go a long way to improve our standard of thinking.
The opening of an atheist university in Vijayawada is welcome news to all progressive people. It may be pointed that the 100 per cent literate state of Kerala (that passed through many renaissances), is yet to think about promoting scientific life through university education.
Absolutely Brilliant!! I am so glad to see this.... they should invite Sam Harris, Dawkins and other famous atheists to deliver lectures and seminars here. Congratulations India.. and may you live on through your legacy Mr. Gora!!
Fantastic! We need to get out of the mold of irrational thinking presently dished out by these so-called religious leaders, whereas their aim is clearly to control the masses. That's the key step to eradicating several irrational practices (all in the name of some godly truths that have never been proven in a controlled experiment) that prevail in the society. Maybe this university should also rope in the famous magician James Randi.
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