India Slaying Superstitions – One Firewalk At A Time

When does superstition go from a rather absurd movie plot and just becomes a local danger? I was reminded today of a friend who asked if I was interested in seeing a film from India that has just come out in Australia – ‘What’s Your Rashee?’ which pretty much translates as ‘What’s your Zodiac Sign?’

You guessed it, it’s a guy on the search of his one true love… via, erm, astrology.

Reviews have been fairly blargy (let alone the fact that it’s three and a half hours long??) – so I ended up not bothering. I consider myself very much open-minded when it comes to fantasy and science fiction, but having to endure someone hinging their love-life on star-signs for that length of time is really pushing it, quite frankly. What if you ran out of popcorn (or papadams?) to throw at the screen after only the first thirty minutes?

A young man has only ten days to locate his soulmate as dictated by the stars, otherwise he could lose a fortune. He thus embarks on a journey through love, looking through twelve girls to find the one who fits his horoscope.

So… when does it become less of a rather glamazon-dance spectacular ‘Bollywood’ plot – and becomes something that even the police force sees as bad for the population at large? Well, those who attended the Skeptic Zone shows at Dragon*Con and got to see Richard and Dr Rachie in the Mystery Investigators, might recall how they presented on some ways to question common myths and misconceptions. It appears that they’re not the only ones promoting a community service with such a show – India has adopted something somewhat similar. Without three hours of screen-time, mind.

From Taragana blog: Countering black magic practitioners in Chhattisgarh

BALRAMPUR – The police and the voluntary organisations have launched campaign to spread awareness against superstitions and black magic in Chhattisgarh.

Through interactive sessions with the residents, the police are trying to make them understand the logic and scientific reason behind ‘miracles’, which could be mere cheap tricks.

“We are propagating that superstitious beliefs and rituals should not be followed in any village. The residents need to be made aware of such things. And if any such incidents occur, the police should be informed immediately,’ said Illiyas Ikka, sub-inspector, Pasta Police Station.

I noted in how they mention that ‘women in India are the most privy to these superstitions’ – whilst I’ve written before on superstitious beliefs in women, there was an interesting cultural influence mentioned in July, in regards to a solar eclipse and astrologers touting hysteria, particularly how it purportedly pertains to the health of pregnant women.

So, how is this situation dealt with? Not that unlike what the Mystery Investigators show does it, apparently -

“Bidding for ‘reason’ and trying to explain logic behind one of the famous rituals of fire walking, Singh walked on fire himself. He is also trying to encourage more and more voluntary organisations to take up the cause.”

I am bemused, however, that this particular article sums up the reason for this situation with “such irrational beliefs can be easily attributed to lack of education and awareness“. I think I’ll simply point in the direction of Bruce M. Hood’s site, if you’d like to educate yourself more on the matter!

Tagged as: astrology, belief, Black magic, Bruce M. Hood, Chhattisgarh, Dragon*con, eclipse, India, Mystery Investigators, Paranormal, Richard Saunders, Singh, skeptic zone, supersense, superstition, superstition and women, What's Your Raschee, zodiac