Call For Media and Government Investigation

of Sathya Sai Baba And his worldwide cult, the Sathya Sai Organization

Great Editor V.K. Narasimhan Blind In Only One Eye

Posted by Barry Pittard on August 13, 2008

The late V.K. Narasimhan - or VKN, as he was fondly known throughout India -  had long been known as one of India’s most outstanding newspaper editors and authors. He was famed for his courage, for example, in standing up on behalf of civil liberties to Mrs Indira Gandhi when she declared her state of Emergency (1975-77).
He succeeded Professor P.N. Kasturi as Editor of Sanathana Sarathi, Sathya Sai Baba’s official organ, which is distributed worldwide. It is widely known among key servitors of Sathya Sai Baba that Sri Narasimhan was an extremely rare exception in that he would speak fearlessly and frankly to him.
Both Robert Priddy, former Norwegian head of the International Sathya Sai Organization, and I both - although he for years longer - had a treasured friendship with VKN, who had high regard for Priddy’s writings, which he regularly published in Sanathana Sarathi. It meant much to me that, in 1998 in his last illness, although nearly all were forbidden to visit his bedside, VKN gave instructions to the Sathya Sai Superspecialty Hospital staff to ensure that I was permitted. A little earlier to this, which was effectively his last illness, I had been editing his last book, which was on Teilhard de Chardin, Jesuit priest cum paleontologist, biologist, and philosopher, for whose works VKN had a great love.
There are some acts of distinctive kindness and generosity of his to which I was directly privy that I suppose he would not have wanted anyone else but myself to know about.
He died aged 87, on March 9th, 2000. See a fine appreciation of V.K.N. by English Author Mick Brown (Daily Telegraph, etc) in his A Spiritual Tourist, Bloomsbury Publish, London 1998. V.K.Narasimhan. Deceased Eminent Indian Editor-author
V.K.Narasimhan. Deceased Eminent Indian Editor-author
Robert Priddy has blogged, pointing out that there are many indications that Sathya Sai Baba has not given sight to the blind, including V.K. Narasimhan who was largely blind in one eye. See, Blind persons seek cures from Sathya Sai Baba
Priddy has written extensively on the police killings in Sai Baba’s bedroom, hours after the ashram had returned to relative calm, and Sai Baba was firmly in charge. Sri Narasimhan is shown as sharing with Priddy chilling evidence of a huge cover up of what took place.
For some readings including scans which refer to VKN, see inset box titled ‘Robert Priddy’s notebooks from Sai Baba ashrams 1984-1998′ http://www.saibaba-x.org.uk/16/
Sathya Sai Says: “Why fear when I am here?”. On the Events of June 6, 1993 - Murders in Sai Baba’s Private Quarters
More Concerning The 1993 Murders In Prashanthi Mandir
Excerpts from newspaper reports with information concerning the murders in Sai Baba’s vicinity at Prashanthi Nilayam of 6-6-1993
The Unresolved, Covered-up 1993 Murders in Sathya Sai Baba’s Bedroom Revisited
Sathya Sai Baba Bedroom Murders
A convenient coverage of many of the issues is at Robert Priddy’s blogsite: http://robertpriddy.wordpress.com. See, Sathya Sai Baba Bedroom Murders
Part 1. Part 2. Part 3.
Of general interest is:
Recorded talk with V. K.Narasimhan during 70th birthday of Sai Baba
Robert Priddy has recorded Sri Narasimhan’s view on numbers attending (FAR below Sathya Sai Baba’s estimates) and on his having to edit out Sai Baba’s errors from the journal, plus the latter’s private directions to Central Coordinators concerning the organization and the price of rooms for delegates to his conference, who were originally invited for free logding, etc.
Related Barry Pittard articles:
Renowned Indian Editor VKN. Diary and Letter Scans Reveal
Robert Priddy (3) Friendship With V.K. Narasimhan
Robert Priddy says that he found some devastating facts from one of Sai Baba’s very closest confidants in the 1980s and 1990s.
This was V.K. Narasimhan (d. March 2000). This remarkable man, whose history of standing courageously up (many fine citizens were flung into jail!) as a newspaper Editor to Indira Gandhi during the 21-month 1975–1977 [...]
V.P.B. Nair. B.Premanand. R.Priddy: Sai Baba Bedroom Killings
Many Indian journalists and editors and others know of the profound extent of the cover up by the then powerful Home Minister S.B. Chavan, and central, Andhra Pradesh State and local governments. It is a pity that very few have had the courage to speak out publicly on the issue, as has former Andhra Pradesh Home Secretary V.P.B. Nair, who was in office at the time of the killings. It is a sad commentary that very few had the courage in speaking out displayed by those such as Nair and B. Premanand. See the BBC Film Clip of V.P.B. Nair making his statement
The Secret Swami. BBC Docu. Review. Condensed
Many have sought out my article, The BBC’s The Secret Swami - A Revision. However, there is a condensed version here. Downloadable video footage is in the clickable references at the foot of the blog.

Posted in Gurus, Hinduism, India, Media, Morality, Religion, Sai Baba, Spirituality, World Religions | Tagged: , , , | No Comments »

Small Turnout In Russia for Solzhenitsyn

Posted by Barry Pittard on August 7, 2008

Vale Alexander Solzhenitsyn!

It may be argued that the genuine models of moral excellence are great and visionary but flawed individuals, rather than those such as Sathya Sai Baba, the failed ‘God’ who would be King of Kings.

One may find it surprising that people’s sectarian views could not be raised above, and a tribute paid to the wonderful qualities of a man like Alexander Solzhenitzen.

I asked a Russian friend of mine: why is it that one who, like so many other Russians, went through such persecution and privation would have such a poor turn-out upon his passing? Some went out in bitter cold so as to honour him. Why not many more, and what of a few hours of frostbite compared to the sufferings in a great cause such as Russians like Solzhenitsyn stood for? I asked.

In his second email, my friend wrote:

I searched the Internet and I was pleased to find the all the main points I mentioned in my first letter had been previously mentioned in a number of publications and reports.

When Solzhenitsyn came back to Russia, he criticized people and policies from different parts of the political spectrum and suggested rather utopian solutions for the country’s problems. Though relevant, his criticism was not new for people in Russia. They had heard all of that years before. It was no revelation. In fact, people were rather tired of so much criticism in their life.  As a result, he found himself isolated from any political groups and movements in Russia but at the same time he still wanted to be a prophet in his Fatherland. Finally, after being number 12 in the list of the most influencial political figures in Russia, he lost his place in the top 100.

In his previous email, my friend said:

No doubt that Solzhenitsyn was a great hero as a writer of The Gulag Archipelago. Nevertheless, he was a rather controversial figure. After coming back from the exile he had a special TV programme which was not very popular. To the end of his life, he was a supporter of the Russian monarchy and wrote a book which was considered rather anti-semitic. (Honestly, I have not read it). Some time ago, he accepted a government award from the hands of Vladimir Putin, but previously refused the awards from the hands of Gorbachev and Eltsyn. He had very bad relationships with another famous dissident Varlam Shalamov, and he never cooperated with Memorial, a Non Government Organization which tries to restore the truth about Stalin’s repressions. So, I think that some people believe that it was a sort of a double standard from his side. In our country the more a public figure has an attention and support from the authority the less trust they have from people. It looked as if the government tamed Solzhenitsyn.
As for me, I think The Gulag Archipelago is a real contribution to the processes of historical justice. At the same time, as a personality Solzhenitsyn was a bit categorical and authoritarian for me compared to academicians Sakharov or Likhachev whom I’d rather accept as moral authority than he.

See,

Posted in Christianity, Faith, Hinduism, India, International Relations, Mind Control, Morality, Religion, Society, Spirituality, World Issues | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

CNN-IBN Reports Action On Corrupt Indian Gurus

Posted by Barry Pittard on August 2, 2008

The influential media outlet CNN-IBN has just come out with a series of articles on the increasing exposure of ‘godmen’ in India.

What will not be so obvious is the courage of those in journalism, the judiciary, police forces and so on who are putting themselves in danger when they attempt to confront the forces of corruption.

The links to the CNN-IBN reports are immediately below, and beneath these are links (with quotes) to a number of articles in Call for Media and Government Investigation of Sathya Sai Baba. These span many months, and hold out the hope that the forces of anti-corruption and of those who uphold the justifiable Indian pride in her great and varied culture will be able to triumph.

Even as I write there are reports that India has the best human rights record in Asia. This will not have been achieved without the cost of tremendous courage and sacrifice - much of it never recordable.

With India on her way to becoming a superpower, a great contribution she can make - one that can indeed shame those countries which flaunt their democratic traditions - is to clean up her ‘house’ and set an example of flourishing democratic achievements. For decades, the profoundly failed guru, Sathya Sai Baba, has been saying that he will first clean up his ‘own backyard’. He has made all too little dent but India does not need him. She has, down millennia, furnished the worthy aims that he uncontroversially preaches. She has long abounded in great exemplars. It is goods delivery well in excess of all the preaching by her sometimes shady and failed gurus that is needed.

In her rich and marvelous multiculture, these qualities can be asserted by any irrespective of culture, class or creed .

…………….

CNN-IBN Reports just released

Self-styled godmen under increasing scrutiny

Samkhya Edamaruku / CNN-IBN

Fri, Aug 01, 2008 at 21:34, Updated at Fri, Aug 01, 2008 in Nation India section

Framed or foul play? Asaram followers left wondering

Nilanjana Bose / CNN-IBN

Fri, Aug 01, 2008 at 21:16, Updated at Fri, Aug 01, 2008 in Nation sectio. Tags: Asaram Bapu, Ashram , New Delhi

Journalists protest against media attack in Gujarat.

CNN-IBN, Sat, Jul 19, 2008 at 18:53 in Nation section

Spiritual guru’s followers brutally attack journos

Meghdoot Sharon / CNN-IBN

Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 23:17 in Nation section

…………….

Further related articles at Call for Media and Government Investigation of Sathya Sai Baba at: http://barrypittard.wordpress.com

These articles tyically refer to the poor, but apparently slowly improving, India media showing with regard to running news inimical to the most powerful Indian gurus, of whom Sathya Sai Baba has long been the most powerful of all, worshipped by millions as God.

Supercool Indian Gurus Under Fire

The following readings indicate two-way pulls occurring in India - towards gurus and the extraordinary power many of them have, down millennia, wielded, and away from them

V.P.B. Nair. B.Premanand. R.Priddy: Sai Baba Bedroom Killings

Many Indian journalists and editors and others know of the profound extent of the cover up by the then powerful Home Minister S.B. Chavan, and central, Andhra Pradesh State and local governments. It is a pity that very few have had the courage to speak out publicly on the issue, as has former Andhra Pradesh Home Secretary V.P.B. Nair, who was in office at the time of the killings. It is a sad commentary that very few had the courage in speaking out displayed by those such as Nair and B. Premanand. See the BBC Film Clip of V.P.B. Nair making his statement

The Guru Trap. Will India Be Forever Trapped?

Tehelka is regarded by many observers as one of few newspapers in India which can show some investigate clout and courage. It has sustained tremendous pressure by Indian governments and other power brokerage forces in India. Below is an excerpt from Tehelka, which points the need for India to come clean and act decisively about her frequent cultivation and protection of nefarious gurus. Sathya Sai Baba gets a reference.

‘Moon Mission of Sathya Sai Baba’. Re Merinews Article

Noting that the Indian news service Merinews.com contained an article by Natteri Adigal which gave me a brief mention, I responded.

This was, Moon mission of Sathya Sai Baba: Only for the faithful! by Natteri Adigal, Thursday, 29 November 2007

Is Sai Baba’s Governmental Influence ‘Miraculous’?

Yesterday’s blog, HERE, noted the Indian magazine Business Standard news current report that the Sathya Sai Central Trust is putting Sai Baba’s Puttaparthi airport up for sale. It was revealing to find an old 1998 Indian Express report that saw corrupt links between Sai Baba’s chief representatives and a then Civil Aviation boss. Most Indian publications have long suffered their publisher’s censorship against reports adverse to Sathya Sai Baba. As the Editor of one of India’s leading newspapers told me: Sai Baba is too powerful, with so many devotees all over India. Likely to have been all too little noticed, then, was a report filed in the Indian Express in February 1998 by reporter Swati Chaturvedi. It points to corrupt origins in the sanctioning of the Sathya Sai airport. What the Swati Chaturvedi article does not mention is that the then Civil Aviation Secretary, M.K. Kaw, is a Sathya Sai Baba devotee.

Sai Baba’s Airport Up For Sale, Reports Business Standard

business-standard.jpg

Sai Baba`s airport up for sale

S Kalyana Ramanathan / Chennai October 31, 2007

“Trust puts floor price at Rs 600 crore

The airport’s owner, the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, which manages the religious and philanthropic assets and work of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, has invited bids for it and put the floor price at Rs 600 crore”

Indian Nuclear Scientist Now Sai Baba’s Global Radio Chief

These days Sai Baba’s chief international propagandist (via Sai Global Harmony and WorldSpace International Satellite Radio Service) and deputy head of the immensely wealthy and influential world Sathya Sai Organization, Dr G. Venkataraman, was a top Indian nuclear scientist
Top Vajpayee Minister Thinks BBC Was Plotting

For a glimpse at the clearly morally bankrupt showing of the Vajpayee government on many allegations facing Sathya Sai Baba, see the video clip from the BBC’s The Secret Swami (2004), HERE

Is Indian ‘Godman’ Sai Baba’s Moon Waning Still Further?

The report below, I have excerpted from the DNAINDIA news service. It indicates that Sathya Sai Baba’s chief translator and personal India and international emissary, Professor Anil Kumar, has acknowledged the extraordinary traffic and crowd snarls occasioned by Sai Baba’s trip to his private airport at Puttaparthi.

It is reported that India’s most famous and controversial guru was at the airport in his car on the evening of Thursday October 4, 2007, which got badly detained by unruly crowds. He would be present, it was believed, to preside over a profound mass vision that he, as God, would perform. An Indo Asian News Service (IANS) staff writer reported …

P.N. Bhagwati, India’s Ex-Chief Justice: Wild, Reckless Claims

P.N. Bhagawati, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India, a key figure on the Sathya Sai Central Trust (India) has also long been on the Board of Directors of The Times of India

Indian Gurus Stifle India’s Chance To Excel

“Watershed year for Indian law” reports BBC’s Sanjoy Majumder
“For many, 2006 has been a watershed in Indian legal history”, states Sanjoy Majumder, Friday, 5 January 2007, BBC News, Delhi:
For the first time, a serving cabinet minister (Shibu Soren), was given life imprisonment for murder. Under a fortnight later, a cricket star and MP (Navjot Singh Sidhu) was jailed for manslaughter. Majumder reports “A recent study suggests that nearly a quarter of the country’s MPs are facing criminal charges ranging from murder to extortion and even rape”, and that “India’s courts are estimated to have a backlog of some two million cases”. See useful BBC News links about corruption in India here.

Gurubusting Sathya Sai Baba

Breaking decades of virtual Indian media silence on comment critical of Sathya Sai Baba, a number of major Indian news organizations have run (mostly November 22, 2006) the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) report on Paul Lewis’s article in The Guardian, ‘The Indian living god, the paedophilia claims and the Duke of Edinburgh awards’“…
Sai Baba’s “Back Yard” Still A Mess

India A Mature Democracy? BBC Probes

Would many Indian politicians, notorious for their extreme corruption, dare expose the foreign goose that lays the (cosmic!) golden egg? Driving this question would have reinforced the producer Eamon Hardy’s original query about whether India is a mature democracy.

View The Secret Swami HERE. Available in broadband and modem. Read:

The BBC’s The Secret Swami - A Revision.

The Genesis of the BBC’s The Secret Swami (Sai Baba)

Who In India Will Stand out Against Abuses?

According to reports by Sanjoy Majumdar, BBC New Delhi and Tim Sullivan of Associated Press, there have been some recent populist stirrings in India against corruption and its cover-up.  Not that there have not long been those Indians who have stood up valiantly against these. One may hope that the groundswell will come to include corrupt gurus

Will India’s New Backlash Against Corruption Lash Sathya Sai Baba?

“Watershed year for Indian law” reports BBC’s Sanjoy Majumder
“For many, 2006 has been a watershed in Indian legal history”, states Sanjoy Majumder, Friday, 5 January 2007, BBC News, Delhi:
For the first time, a serving cabinet minister (Shibu Soren), was given life imprisonment for murder. Under a fortnight later, a cricket star and MP (Navjot Singh Sidhu) was jailed for manslaughter. Majumder reports “A recent study suggests that nearly a quarter of the country’s MPs are facing criminal charges ranging from murder to extortion and even rape”, and that “India’s courts are estimated to have a backlog of some two million cases”. See useful BBC News links about corruption in India here.

Exposure of Sathya Sai Baba. Media Source List



Posted in Crime and Corruption, Faith, Guru cults, Gurus, Hinduism, India, Interfaith, Media, Mind Control, Religion, Social and Politics, Spirituality, World Issues, World Religions | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

‘God’s’ Ex-Shah, Indulal Shah

Posted by Barry Pittard on July 30, 2008

Indulal Shah, of Mumbai, India, was the world head of the Sathya Sai Organization, and, previously, for decades, the head of the Indian wing of that organization.

In June 1993, at the time of the Puttaparthi police killings in Sathya Sai Baba’s bedroom, Indulal Shah rose to his height in adroit and politically powerful suppressive actions that would rate a place in a primer for feudal but effective crisis management.

The Hindu, June 10, 1993, reported:

“When press persons met Mr. Indulal Shah, chief functionary of the Sri Sathya Sai World Trust, he said, ‘the matter is purely internal and we do not wish to have any law enforcement agency investigating into it.’”

The then Indian Prime Minister Narasimha Rao and his Home Minister S.B. Chavan and other powerful forces in Indian politics supported and greatly extended upon Puttaparthi’s extensive cover up. Chavan was in Puttaparthi assisting in the damage control. So powerful is Sathya Sai Baba in India right across the political spectrum that Indian governments, irrespective of hue, have ever since maintained an iron-clad damper on the issue, and prevented police, media and judicial investigation. The voices of journalists, such as members of the Anantapur Journalist’s Union in Sathya Sai Baba’s State of Andhra Pradesh, were suppressed.

Andhra Pradesh former Home Secretary, V.P.B. Nair, has described the killings in the BBC’s television documentary The Secret Swami as “absolute cold blooded murder”. View and hear Nair speaking to interviewer Tanya Datta, in this film clip HERE. These intruders could easily have been captured without murdering them. Sai Baba was nearby as events unfolded, hour by hour, and yet - a virtual ‘omnipotent’ dictator within his independent ashram township, at least - did not lift a finger to stop the deaths.

Some Further Resources

V.P.B. Nair. B.Premanand. R.Priddy: Sai Baba Bedroom Killings

The BBC and the 1993 murders

Murders In Sai Baba’s Private Quarters

Sathya Sai Baba Bedroom Murders - Part 1

The Secret Swami. BBC Docu. Review. Condensed

The BBC’s ‘The Secret Swami’ - A Revision

The Genesis of the BBC’s ‘The Secret Swami’ (Sai Baba)

Indian Minister Shields Sai Baba on BBC television

Indian Ex Top Official Dogs Sai Baba On BBC. ‘Cold-blooded Murder’

Testimony To BBC - After Years of Silence

BBC’s ‘The Secret Swami’ and British Press Praise

A Shah Under A Lord of Misrule

Inequality before the law in India

Serial Sex Molestation and Bedroom Killings. But Much More

Police Killings in Sai Baba’s Bedroom

Police Killings Related to Sai Baba Sex Abuse Says Dr Bhatia

Posted in Crime and Corruption, Guru cults, Gurus, Hinduism, India, Media, Mind Control, Rationalism, Religion, Skeptics, Social and Politics, Spirituality, World Religions | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

BBC’s ‘The Secret Swami’ and British Press Praise

Posted by Barry Pittard on July 27, 2008

Robert Priddy has just blogged ‘Undisputable facts about Sathya Sai Baba by BBC’. This is a summary of a number of major factors that came out of BBC’s television documentary ‘The Secret Swami’ (2004) exposing Sathya Sai Baba and his worldwide cult. The documentary was seen by millions in around 200 countries. He cites a number of the many major British press reviews that highly praised this documentary, such as Andrew Billen, of The Times (of London), who wrote:-

One of the richest supporters of the Indian guru Sai Baba - no less than Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of the Hard Rock Cafe - told his interviewer that he was perfectly willing to believe that Baba was simultaneously a) quite likely a paedophile and b) God incarnate

Priddy’s subheaders are:

1) Sai Baba’s public lie exposes him as a total charlatan

2) One of Sai Baba’s foremost devotees and donors, Isaac Tigrett,

believes in sexual abuse by his guru.

U.S. Billionaire supporter of Sathya Sai Baba, Isaak Tigrett, bowing to the Secret Swami

3) Vile sexual abuse and threats by Sathya Sai Baba alleged

4) ‘Cold-blooded’ Police Executions in Sai Baba’s bedroom

Further Reading

The BBC’s ‘The Secret Swami’ - A Revision

BBC Hidden Camera in ‘Secret Swami’. Ethical?

Guru Sex Abuse Testimony To BBC - After Years of Silence

Indian Minister Shields Sai Baba on BBC television

Probed On Male Sex Abuse, Sai Baba Evicts BBC TV Team

V.P.B. Nair. B.Premanand. R.Priddy: Sai Baba Bedroom Killings

Exposure of Sathya Sai Baba. Media Source List

Video Resources

The Secret Swami (BBC Television):
(80 MB, Broadband)

http://home.hccnet.nl/cmg.vdsandt/The%20Secret%20Swami.wmv
(23.3 MB, Modem)

Seduced (DR, Danish Broadcasting, Denmark’s national television and radio broadcaster):
http://www.rfjvds.dds.nl/seduced/seduced.wmv
(80 MB, Broadband)

http://home.hetnet.nl/~seduced/seduced.wmv
(21 MB, Modem)

Posted in Cults, Faith, Guru cults, Gurus, Heavy News Insider, Hinduism, India, Media, Mind Control, New Age, Rationalism, Religion, Spirituality, World Religions | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

Timothy Conway Ph.D on: The Crucial John Hislop Letters

Posted by Barry Pittard on July 24, 2008

Very few former followers of Sathya Sai Baba have responded to the extraordinary attacks on the integrity of those many who have left him, having made their own enquiries.

These attacks continue year after year.

The ex-devotees do not at all agree with everything that has been written against their former teacher or his cult, and deeply deplore those writings against him, or his international Sathya Sai Organization, whose language is heated and contains nasty put-downs of those who defend Sathya Sai Baba or his devotees viewpoints.

Most serious Sathya Sai Baba followers and most former followers are good and decent people. They have long been noted as being so in their jobs, places of study and communities at large.

Agreeing with a person’s right to their opinion is very far removed from agreeing with that opinion. What one has seen in some of the forums has been enough to make one not want to read them - and this is surely true of the offerings by the hotheads of either side.

Therefore, atttempts at the classic ploy of ‘guilt-by-association’ is reprehensible indeed.

And no doubt, most Sathya Sai Baba devotees, inasmuch as they view these related topics on the Internet, are appalled by the shocking departure by the main pro Sathya Sai Baba defenders from civil discourse. There is extensive resort to poor arguments, distortion of contexts and character assassination. Likewise, most former Sathya Sai Baba devotees find abhorrent the crudeness, nastiness and vilification evinced by an extremely small minority of former devotees.

Former devotees who have named key servitors of Sathya Sai Baba (as indeed have I) do not sink to ad hominem arguments, which are distinguishable from playing-the-man by requiring accountability from those who have major public roles in the Sathya Sai Organization and who should be held accountable. Naming an individual and asking for answers can only be mistaken for ad hominem by those who distort deliberately or else out of extraordinary ignorance.

One of the very few who have responded (not in the discussion forums etc., but in the locales listed in the links below) - on a particular issue - is Timothy Conway Ph.D.

This was because it involved, as he uniquely is able to do, authenticating vital documents that the Sathya Sai Organization heads (such as Dr John Hislop and Dr Michael Goldstein), since 1982, in the USA never intended its membership, let alone the world, to see. His reply to an vehement antagonist is of the quality that one would like to see excercised by any Satha Sai Baba follower or ex-Sai Baba follower whose integrity had been assailed. Indeed, this same quality of decency and moderation of language has been shown by some of Sathya Sai Baba’s former students who have testified that he is not guilty of the terrible allegations that have been made, worldwide, against him.

Some Key Documents

Timothy Conway’s Update

Timothy Conway PH.D confirms the Hislop letters

Formal statement provided to Exbaba.com by Timothy Conway Ph. D. concerning the Hislop letters

Click here to access Timothy Conway’s website

An article in which Timothy Conway outlines many key issues

Posted in Cults, Faith, Guru cults, Gurus, Hinduism, India, Religion, Sai Baba, Spirituality, World Religions | Tagged: , , , , , | No Comments »

The Two Sai Baba’s and Miracles. (Intro)

Posted by Barry Pittard on July 20, 2008

The interested reader can readily find a whole literature concerning the scientific investigation of miracles and other alleged supraphenomena.

(I shall soon blog on the issue of the alleged Shirdi Sai Baba miracle, said to have occurred in Bangalore on July 18, 2008, courting such headlines in the Indian national press such as the Times of India as: Frenzy over Sai idol with one eye open).

Blind Faith and Blind Science. Unbeknown to themselves - quarreling cousins with a stark family resemblance

Many serious and well-qualified investigators who have gone to homes, temples, grottos, etc., that are scenes of apparent miracles have not always found fraudulence – nor even unconscious self-deception on the part of the hosts.

There appear to be phenomena as yet unexplained within the present state of scientific knowledge. Ironically enough, it may be true that Papal investigators of miracles have more in common with rationalists. Comparative studies are important. There are many cases that need scientific enquiry and understanding, and - if there is not cross-cultural, interdisciplinary work - any serious undertaking risks being weakened from the start.

Variety

The tendency of many faithful of various persuasions is to think that God is blessing them as Hindus or Sikhs or Christians or Buddhists, or whatever the Faith, all the while not realizing that similar phenomena - with different historical-cultural reference points – occur throughout the world.

There are also those in many belief systems whose adherents are perfectly ready to believe that mystic phenomena (beyond the merely ‘spooky’or superficial) are likely to happen anywhere and to anyone irrespective of religious background. There are those, too, from many faiths who do not regard the ‘miraculous’ as important for them at all.

The Mountain Human Beings Created Without A Single Miracle

The interfaith movement has made headway in breaking down such insularity, but there is a mountain of profound ignorance exhibited by one culture of another. Diminish its sovereign power and one is likely, in both the jolt and delight of it all, to start getting some clearer views of those who are ‘different’. From a human and humane point of view, one can find more commonalities than points of quarrel. Such a discovery process can shame all except the shameless out of demonizing or misunderstanding those of other beliefs and, indeed, non-beliefs.

None of this is to say that one needs to lapse into a simpering uncriticalness or bloodless relativism, in which none is served well.

The Almost Miracle of Those Who Are Most Civil 

Criticism among those who have learnt to respect each other is an ennobling, rather than bloodletting activity. An urbane discussion between a civilized believer and a civilized rationalist may not bring conversion either way, but what exists is something far finer – civilized behavior, which is a given and requires no conversion. Neither participant is likely to be lacking in a good sense of humor. So much so that if a miracle happened to them they would not find in it cause to take up arms, one against the other.

Select Readings

(Regarding the two Sai Babas, especially in the light of the use made of the old saint’s fame by Sathya Sai Baba on his own myth-making pathway to fame): 

Robert Priddy:
 

UNRAVELLING THE ENIGMA
- SHIRDI SAI BABA - IN THE LIGHT OF SUFISM
by Marianne Warren. Sterling Paperbacks - New Delhi Revised edition 2004 - ISBN 81-207-2147-0
Featured on Robert Priddy’s website: http://www.saibaba-x.org.uk/7/W/WarrenBook.htm

 
 
 
Brian Steel:
 

Posted in Catholicism, Christianity, Cults, Faith, Gurus, Hinduism, India, Interfaith, Islam, Miracles, New Age, Rationalism, Religion, Shirdi Sai Baba, Skeptics, Spirituality, World Religions | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

Legalistic Abuse: Catholic Church And Sathya Sai Organization

Posted by Barry Pittard on July 19, 2008

Many of my readers will be quick to see certain striking parallels between, respectively, core powerholders in the Roman Catholic Church and in the International Sathya Sai Organization. In the Australian Broadcasting Corporation report, I have highlighted in red some salient points.

Sathya Sai Baba (says he's God) and Pope Benedict (Christ's 'Vicar').

Sathya Sai Baba (says he's God) and Pope Benedict (Christ's 'Vicar').

As development continues in the Australian story about the Foster family’s years’-long fight for justice and the end of ecclesiastical cover up and denial, in the aftermath of the Catholic Church’s evidently dreadful treatment of the family - and of so many thousands of others around the world - I intend to blog further.

In regard to the profound institutional desertion of accountability and duty of care, the similarities between these powerful and wealthy ‘religious’ organizations, are quite chilling.

In the meantime, I refer readers to a few of my related articles:

Pope’s US Visit. Is US to blame for abuse crisis?

Cost Of Cover Ups Can Far Exceed Hoped-for Benefits

Cult Exposure. By Their Documents Ye Shall Know Them

Fighting Multi Billion Corruption Takes Longer

The BBC’s ‘The Secret Swami’ - A Revision

………………….

Parents of assault victims plea for response

Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Broadcast: 17/07/2008  Reporter: Conor Duffy

While the Pope may have praised the Federal Government’s apology there is growing uncertainty about whether he will say sorry to the victims of sexual assault by Catholic clergy.

Transcript
LEIGH SALES, PRESENTER: Today, the Foster family arrived in Sydney to seek an audience with the Pope and force the Church to reform the way it deals with complaints of sexual abuse.

On Tuesday night, Lateline revealed how Church lawyers fought for eight years to limit a compensation payout to the Fosters, whose two daughters were raped by an abusive priest in Melbourne.

So far, the Church has remained silent on whether it will meet the Fosters, but tonight there was some support from within the Church.

Conor Duffy reports.

CONOR DUFFY, REPORTER: As World Youth Day delegates continue to pour into Sydney, the Fosters were on a different pilgrimage: cutting short a European holiday to ask the Pope to take action which goes beyond an apology for Church abuse victims.

ANTHONY FOSTER, FATHER: An apology is not enough. Limited compensation is not enough. Limited help is not enough. We wish to meet with the Pope to help formulate the way forward.

CONOR DUFFY: Two of Anthony and Christine Foster’s daughters were raped by their parish priest while they were in primary school. For their oldest child Emma, it sparked a damaging spiral.

CHRISTINE FOSTER, MOTHER: We’ve had 13 years of trauma and disasters.CONOR DUFFY: In January, Emma Foster committed suicide. The Fosters believe her will to live was sapped by an eight year legal battle with the Church for compensation and they’ve condemned comments by bishop Anthony Fisher that victims are dwelling on old wounds.

ANTHONY FOSTER: I’m disgusted, and I believe that he should not be holding the position of authority that he does either in the Church or in regard to World Youth Day.

CONOR DUFFY: The Church today defended bishop Fisher.

DANNY CASEY, WORLD YOUTH DAY: It just misses the mark in terms of this wonderful man of deep compassion who has great sympathy for victims.

CONOR DUFFY: it’s been widely expected the Pope would apologise to the victims of sexual abuse by clergy while in Sydney. But overnight, the Pope’s spokesman said apology might not be word used.

Today, the Foster family began a vigil outside St Mary’s Cathedral, but there’s still no word as to whether the Church would agree to meet them. They’ll formalise their request for a meeting tomorrow, if there’s still no word from the Church.

Tonight, they got some backing from a Sydney priest, father Chris Riley, who broke ranks with the Church. Father Riley attacked the Church’s system for dealing with abuse towards healing, calling it a joke.

CHRIS RILEY, YOUTH OFF THE STREETS: Let’s get rid of Church investigations. We are not qualified to investigate sexual assault; and all victims should go to the police, and go to court, and then after that, the Church’s place is of healing. But the Church being involved in and having to make decisions around guilt and innocence is just a wrong way to go. All that does - the perpetrator is a winner there.CONOR DUFFY: Father Riley said the system should be more focused on getting justice for victims.

Conor Duffy, Lateline.

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Self-documented Folly of India’s Would-be God

Posted by Barry Pittard on July 10, 2008

It is sobering to consider that Sathya Sai Baba’s influence extends into powerful corners, and his marked deficiencies reveal the worthwhileness of exposing his human rather than any divine qualities.

One of the benefits of Brian Steel’s extensive examination of official Sathya Sai publications is that we can see with considerable impact the extraordinary ignorance, inconsistency and contradiction Sathya Sai Baba has generated over many years.

As Steel justly observes, ‘The inevitable effect of so much strange evidence about SB’s story-telling techniques is to encourage a more careful analysis of some of his other pronouncements’.

In respect to the presently referred to part of the huge Steel opus, see his