Editorial

The Milk of Human Kind

The phenomenon of milk-swigging religious statues is a very human one. It is humans who become excited (mass hysteria) humans who are too easily led into credulity, humans who can examine the stone of the statue to see of absorption can occur by capillary action. The publicity about milk-sipping Hindu statues began in India in late-September and rapidly became a world event, spread by the mass media – and like all media events rapidly to disappear.

Indian humanists were quick to criticise the human gullibility that allowed the spread of the allegedly supernatural phenomenon. Abraham Solomon, President of the Indian Secular Society, spoke on the BBC radio 4 news programme, presenting the rational case with great licidity. Sanal Edaramuku, Secretary General of the Indian Rationalist Association, suggested the whole affair had been initiated by some Indian sadhus who wanted to divert attention from criminal charges being brought against a powerful holy man.

Does it matter? Is it not harmless fun? The mind-set of credulity can be damaging and can spread to many other areas of thought. Humanists would encourage fearless rationalists not milk-sops. Credulity should not be encouraged. Ganesh, the elephant-shaped god of the home who ‘drank’ most of the milk is a kindly god. But is it kind to pour milk on stone, when there are thousands without adequate nutritious food?