On air 1100GMT: Sai Baba - holy man or fake?
| 09:27 UK time, Monday, 25 April 2011
This topic was discussed on 25 April 2011. Listen to the programme.
The Indian guru Sri Sathya Sai Baba has died at the age of 84.
His million of followers around the world have been paying their tributes to a man revered across the religious divide, with both Hindu and Muslim followers.
But he also attracted controversy, with some accusing him of being a charlatan, faking his so-called miracles.
How will you remember him? If he funded free hospitals and inspired people, do his alleged faults matter?
Comment number 1.
At 14:47 25th Apr 2011, gary indiana wrote:Some do good works and people see them filled with holiness; others do evil and illustrate its lack. What difference does it make if it actually exists or not? Which person would you rather have as neighbor? It is well to remember: Life is functional rather than theoretical. What is done is more important than its explanation.
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Comment number 2.
At 15:31 25th Apr 2011, Satyendra wrote:welfare works of Sai Baba:
100 water projects in Orissa and Tamilnadu,Super speciality hospital in Puttaparthi,drinking water for 173 villages in Anantpur,educare programs etc. it was very hard task for indian govt to do.
Sai Baba left huge property between 40,000to1.5 lac crore rupees.He may have got donations from hard working honest persons.
but in India people feel more fear of God than police or law.whatever they earn from evil doings, half of that they donate to religious guru's trust or temples.and become free from 'guilt feeling' and got cerficate of 'nice person' .
Gurus remain unaware of their history.
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Comment number 3.
At 16:13 25th Apr 2011, modernJan wrote:In the real world there are no holy man because there is no such thing as magic. Asking if some guru is a holy man who performs miracles is like asking whether Santa Claus is real.
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Comment number 4.
At 17:59 25th Apr 2011, Pancha Chandra wrote:There has to be some yard-stick to judge him! By all accounts he was instrumental for the realization of several worthy projects for the masses. Further his sayings inspired many to follow the straight and narrow. Of course a number have been cynical of his teachings. Ultimately many revered him like a Saint. India is a great country full of contradictions. One very important lesson is to separate the grain from the chaff!
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Comment number 5.
At 20:43 25th Apr 2011, Bert wrote:Holy man or fake? Are those the only two options?
I believe that anyone who improves the lives of others is a good person. And I believe that the "holy" part is universally fake.
Would have been even better to help, while simultaneously working to rid people of superstitious beliefs, yes?
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