‘Show constructive alternatives to youth’
Most atrocities in the world committed in the name of religion: CCMB Founder-Director
German humanist Volker Mueller, CCMB Hyderabad Founder-Director P.M. Bhargava, Vijayawada Atheist Centre chairperson Mythri and former president of International Humanist and Ethical Union, Oslo, Norway, Levi Fragall at the International Atheist Conference in Vijayawada on Sunday. Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar
VIJAYAWADA, January 6, 2014
Updated: January 6, 2014 13:39 IST
In the face of growing fundamentalism there is a need to show constructive alternatives to the youth, according to P.M. Bhargava, Founder-Director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad.
Delivering inaugural address at the International Atheist Conference which coincided with the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Atheist Centre, Vijayawada, at Siddhartha auditorium on Sunday, Mr. Bhargava said most atrocities in the world were committed in the name of religion and cited the example of the recent Muzaffarnagar riots.
Temples in India hold mammoth wealth, he pointed out, suggesting that this concentrated wealth could be utilised to address hunger, malnutrition and disease. He said although he was born in a very orthodox family, he was gifted with the spirit of questioning which helped him comprehend ground realities. Stressing on the need for developing critical thinking among students, he attributed all the progress in the world to scientific advancements.
A galaxy of luminaries from the world of atheism congregated at the session. Levi Fragell from Norwegian Humanist Association, in his presidential address said atheism and humanism had great future in India, a land which was gifted abundantly with intellectual and philosophical treasure. “Atheists do not hate religion. They only criticise wrong notions projected as facts and realities. He said religions, through ages, had been misleading cultures, playing spoilsport in creation of a global society based on truth and honesty. He said humanists across the world must raise their voice against any threat or attack on human dignity or human welfare, be it from a religious or a secular ideology.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/show-constructive-alternatives-to-youth/article5544245.ece