Abraham Kovoor
Abraham Thomas Kovoor (born April 10, 1898 in Thiruvalla , Kerala , India, † September 18, 1978 ) was a Sri Lankan botany professor and rationalist . He gained notoriety for his atheist engagement against so-called paranormal phenomena and the god-men widespread in India and Sri Lanka .
Life
Kovoor was born into a religious family, his father was Rev. Kovoor Eipe Thomma Katthanar, Vicar General of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar . He studied at Bengabasi College in Kolkata . Until his retirement in 1959, he taught botany at various colleges , most recently at Thurston College in Colombo . Only then did his tireless rationalistic activity begin. His commitment to expose spiritual deceivers and organized religions met with great approval. It is thanks to Kovoor that the rationalism movement in India was able to develop a great dynamic. Many of his articles were popularized by Joseph Edamaruku's translations.
Exposure of the Guru Sathya Sai Baba
Sathya Sai Baba was one of the most famous Indian gurus in Kovoor's time and therefore became a main subject of Kovoor's educational work against alleged miracle workers. Sai Baba claimed to be able to materialize Vibhuti , holy ashes . Kovoor was convinced that this was being done by sleight of hand. To expose Sai Baba and the like, Dr. Kovoor's holy ashes seemingly emerged from nowhere and distributed them among his onlookers. He then explained the feat to the audience and found that after a little practice anyone can perform this trick.
Work (selection)
- Gods, Demon and Spirits (2000), ISBN 8172242166
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Kovoor, Abraham |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Kovoor, Abraham Thomas |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Sri Lankan rationalist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | April 10, 1898 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Thiruvalla , India |
| DATE OF DEATH | September 18, 1978 |