James Randi-Barry
Pittard Letters
Note: James Randi's
television and other media attempts to expose fraudulent paranormal
claims have been seen by millions. The JREF he refers to is the
James Randi Education Foundation. One of its aims is:
"Demonstrating to the public and the media, through educational
seminars, the consequences of accepting paranormal and supernatural
claims without questioning."
By no means do all
members of the Exposé agree that we should link our efforts with
people such as James Randi and S. Premanand. My own view is that the
Exposé reflects a diversity of views and responses, and that its
pluralism is in actual fact is one of its strengths, just
as authoritarian cultishness is one of the Sathya Sai Organisation's
weaknesses. B.P.
-----Original Message-----
From: Barry Pittard
bpittard@beachaccess.com.au
Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2003 8:00 AM
To:
randi@randi.org
Subject: Exposing
Sathya Sai Baba
Dear James,
We have been briefly in touch long back. I copy below a piece I'm
still working on - an update on the Sathya Sai Baba Expose. You will
notice that I have mentioned the contibutions of the International
Humanist and Ethical Union (I keep in touch with with its Executive
Director Babu Gogineni), the late Dr Abraham T. Kovoor, and S.
Premanand.
Perhaps you know of other contributions to exposing Sathya Sai Baba
which I am ignorant of, and I should certainly wish to note them.
I'll be grateful for your feedback.
My only
concern, and the concern of the JREF, is with the authenticity of
Sai Baba's paranormal claims. While the molestation charges are
very serious, and should be pursued, that is not our area of
expertise, and we will confine ourselves to challenging the
movement's scientific and "miracle" statements. Other agencies can
and certainly should pursue the strictly legal aspects of the Sai
Baba operation.
One of the most prominent battlers against Sai Baba, Dr. Abraham T.
Kovoor, in his many attacks, went after the "juggling tricks" of
this "godman," not his moral offences - though I admit that those
were not as well known to Dr. Kovoor. We choose to leave the crimes
of this miracle-worker to the forces of law, and we will hold up for
examination his absurd and offensive claims of paranormal
power.
James Randi
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