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Some Qs. people asked me and my replies to them - Part 5

Q: Is a life without struggle worth living?
Krishna : Like somebody said - Life without problems is like a schools without classes, you don’t learn your lessons!
Personally I think, without struggle, life is very boring!

Q: Is it true that most girls think of getting married since childhood? If so, why?
Krishna : This is completely rubbish idea in today’s world. Now majority of the girls have other priorities. News papers here daily publish stories of young girls rejecting child marriages and forced ones even in villages and other rural areas and approaching the police, activists and voluntary agencies for help.

They are concentrating on education in this part of the world. This is a very good sign.

Marriage is definitely not on the minds of majority of young girls now. ‘M’ now stands for ‘motivation’ to get educated, earn ‘money’ to be self reliant, ‘manage’ their lives independently and science is a ‘many-splendoured thing’ ( according to my female colleagues :)) and therefore go for it!

Q: Do you believe in astrology? If so, why? If not, why?
Krishna :No, I don’t. There is good evidence for me to throw it out of my life and to educate people to come out of this menace. And here is my evidence…

Why Astrology is a fool’s paradise

Debate between scientists and people who practice pseudo-science - ...

Q: A Nadi astrologer told me some bad things that may happen in my personal life. I'm scared about what he said because Nadi astrology is said to be the most accurate. How do I get those thoughts out of my mind and create the future I desire?  

Krishna: This is what happens if you chase a fool’s paradise. Fool’s paradise? Yes! Read here reasons I gave why I say so…

Why Astrology is a Fool’s paradise

There is no after life according to science

Q: What are some interesting astrological facts?

Krishna: You asked for facts: Here they are: Why Astrology is a Fool’s paradise
Q: Have you ever been to a place which has paranormal activity/horror things?
Krishna: I did visit an old “French rule era building” that ‘s in a state of ruin in the outskirts of Hyderabad. People told me ghosts made it their abode as several people either committed suicide or were murdered there. I specifically went to see the spirits.

But the ghosts got scared of me and ran away! I couldn’t find a single one.

SO?!

Science and the paranormal

Have you ever been to a place which has paranormal activity/horror things?
Krishna : I did visit an old “French rule era building” that ‘s in a state of ruin in the outskirts of Hyderabad. People told me ghosts made it their abode as several people either committed suicide or were murdered there. I specifically went to see the spirits.

But the ghosts got scared of me and ran away! I couldn’t find a single one.
SO?!
Science and the paranormal

DD:Q ( based on the above one): Hope you do not take risks from normal Humans in such endeavors.
Krishna: I do take risks. I once went to a place despite people threatening to kill me if I went there. My folks, unable to convince me not to venture alone, got scared and called the police. The police were shocked to see a lonely woman handling 16 men when they arrived.

Like they say - the cowards die each moment of their lives with fear but the brave die just once. We have to die one day, when it is inevitable, then why not die courageously? :)
DD: I do not have emoticons here. Salute you.
Q: Is democracy the best system?
Krishna: In an internet and media hype world, when false information shapes up a person's decision to vote or take a stand, how can democracy work perfectly?
When your 'thought process' and 'freedom of expression' has been high jacked and when you can no longer differentiate things properly, there is no meaning to democracy.
When people think, say and propagate  autism is caused by vaccination despite contrary evidence, when people refuse to listen to reason because of their emotional attachment to certain things that breed misinformation, when peoples' minds are closed by certain vested interests, when peoples' minds  are conditioned using certain things, democracy doesn't work like it should.
Democracy works only when all the people are free and become neutral thinkers. When they are completely independent and brave enough to walk alone.
We, the people of science, who are fighting misinformation, false propaganda, baseless beliefs,  conditioning of minds, emotional dependence, and other weaknesses of human minds know very well, democracy is not working like it should be and has become a veiled dictatorship manipulated by vested interests.
Democracy in this century has become sick and lame. We can no longer depend on it for a perfect society.
Q: Mirrors facing the bed is bad. Is it a superstition?
Krishna: We have mirrors at home, all facing the beds. Nothing bad has ever happened to us because of them.
Irrational beliefs and thoughts show you are connecting un-related things when you lost control over the situations you are in and putting the blame on everything else around.
Q: Pablo Picasso - said 

"Everything you can imagine is real. "

How true is this?

Krishna: Not true! You imagine ghosts and several silly stories. They need not always be true. They are hallucinations and illusions created by your brain under certain conditions according to science.
Q: Should we believe in superstitions? If yes, then why?
Krishna : Yes, believe in them if you are mentally weak and need some sort of external emotional temporary, substandard assistance.

Believe in them if you cannot control your own life and the situations you are in and need a scapegoat to lay the blame on.

Believe in them if you cannot think properly or clearly and are blinded and paralyzed by fear and frustrations.

Believe in them if you still want to live in ancient times.

Believe in them if you lack the courage to come out of irrational world.

When, people of science and rationalists ban you from their world for being enemies of progress, live in your own world of delusions and illusions. Who are we to say that you shouldn’t?
Q: If somehow science concluded with solid proof that nothing happens after death, that you simply stop being, would you live the rest of your life any differently?
Krishna : You have only one life ( and there is no after life). So make the most of it. This is what my science training taught me.
So I am living it in the way I want on my terms and conditions directed by my conscience and confidence brought by my knowledge. Not by following the silly things the societies ask you to follow.
I also accept that others have the same right as I do. So I am helping others around too to live a good life.
I have a highly satisfied and fulfilled life. In the end I can say with confidence, ‘I lived a beautiful life’. What more do you need?
Q Does the position of planets and stars have any influence on an individual’s life?
Krishna  An emphatic ‘No’ is my answer. Read here why…
Why astrology is a fool’s paradise
Q: Should I share my knowledge with a person who is a friend but boasts to others about the ideas which were mine?
Krishna: Knowledge is there to share with everyone around, not to lock it up in a cupboard.

Are you sure your ideas are completely original? Then you yourself can share them with the whole world why only with one friend?

Q: What are the astrological reasons for attracting people who are frauds into your life? I have Rahu in Dhanu in the first house and Ketu with Saturn in the seventh house, is this the reason?
Krishna: It is your negligence that is attracting fraudsters, not your astrology.
Why Astrology is a Fool’s paradise
Q: How did you get really lucky?
Krishna: By critically analyzing the situations I am in, and by following what my mind said is the right thing to do using facts, I succeeded!
What is 'luck' according to science
Q: Do you believe in the philosophy of ‘Hindu, Hindi, Hindustan’?
Krishna : As a true person of science, my outlook is universal in Nature ( like science). Science doesn’t endorse narrow mindedness.

Any person who has seen how the scientific rules are followed universally in a given set of conditions, and understood its beauty can never think in local terms and can never come under the influence of artificially created races, castes, groups, communities or citizenships. He sees all the living beings as his own images - following universal rules of life and as citizens of this universe.
Q: Why don't all the murdered people become ghosts?
Krishna: Nobody - killed or died in any way - will become a ghost. There are no ghosts in the first place according to science. It just is your mind playing games with you under certain conditions. What are those conditions? Read here:

Science and the paranormal

Q: What do you think happens in the afterlife?

Krishna: There is no afterlife according to science. Your ‘after life’ is just recycling of your atoms and energy. That’s all. This is what real scientists think…

Soul?! What is it according to science and scientists?

Based on the above Q: Then why don't our brain stop working at the time of death?

Krishna: It does!

Q: But it's stays active for 4 -5min after the death

I'm asking what happens during this period ,is this the time when some really old faded memory appears or some dream appear that becomes a nightmare at he end or the something else happen, cause it's has been proven that some activity still going on after the death

Krishna: Brain death is the real death. Period! Yes, because of some biochemical reactions still occurring at the end stages, lack of oxygen, some activity in the neurons might be recorded. Read this article that throws light on it.

How Science Explains Near Death Experiences

There is nothing much to worry about that. Once that activity ceases, there won’t be anything left.

Q: Is God an atheist or a believer?

Krishna: I was asked to answer this funny Q! 
Does God exist in the first place?
According to atheists he doesn’t! So there is no meaning in asking or answering this Q at all! How does something that doesn’t exist in the first place, believe in its existence or not?!
If he exists, according to theists, does he believe in himself or not? If he really exists he should believe in himself! Otherwise he becomes a non-existent big joke!
So if God doesn’t exist, the theory of God becomes atheistic.
If God exists, it becomes theistic!
Now go find out if God really exists or not and prove to the world if he really exists, to find an answer to this Q!

Q: What is the meaning of a crow coming to your window two days in a row?

Krishna: It means you are searching for patterns when there are none!

Q: What are the ways to reduce negative effects of combust Jupiter in vedic astrology?

Krishna:  Stop believing in it! Read here why: Why Astrology is a Fool’s Paradize
Q: Do people believe in astrology?
Krishna: Yes, as long as astrologers think they can fool you and earn money in the process and as long as you are willing to get fooled by them, this pseudo-science doesn’t cease to exist!
QWhat is an astrological combination for getting into the Air Force?
Krishna Your determination, resolve, dedication and hard work. Stars and planets cannot take you there!
Why Astrology is a Fool’s Paradise
QDo you have hopes that at some point the future religion and caste will become irrelevant in Indian politics, and how?
Krishna
Not in the near future! Religions and castes are mechanisms to control people and exploit them. Therefore, as long as politics stay on this planet, these footballs politicians play thrive too. As long as people are willing to get exploited, by politicians and religious heads, the situation doesn’t change.

There must be a drastic change in peoples’ thinking for a change in the situation. Politicians will never allow people to think differently. On the contrary, they are making it more worse day by day.

So I don’t think about them much. I don’t care about politics too. These three are the fields I am least interested in.
Q: What should I do to become friend of a ghost? I'm Hindu.
Krishna : There aren’t any ghosts according to science! So your wish can never be fulfilled. Yes, you can take some drug and hallucinate if you want! In that hallucination, you might find a ghost friend.
Science and the paranormal
Q: Can any astrologer predict? When will this person able to go abroad for study?
Krishna: No matter how well Astrologers try to convince you, my answer is an emphatic ‘No’. Do you have the courage to accept the facts? Then read this article:

Why Astrology is a Fool’s Paradise

Q:Astrologers are saying many negative things about my life and future. Should I believe in Pandits or Kundli? What should I do?

Krishna: This is what happens if you start believing in stupid things. People try to exploit you by first creating fear in you than suggesting ‘remedies’. Do you really want to get out of this situation and take full control of your life?

Then read these articles that will strengthen your mind…

Why Astrology is a Fool’s Paradise

Science's rules are unyielding, they will not be bent in any way fo...

Q: What is the scientific reason behind celebrating Makar Sankranti?
Krishna : Sankranti just is a culture and tradition based festival. When these festivals originated, there ‘s no systematic science. But people try to interpret things in the way they want now and create pseudo-science in the process.

Let culture and tradition be in their realms. Respect them for what they are. Don’t try to bring them into the world of science. Scientists don’t like that.
Q Can one follow the positive aspects of Hinduism (except their astrology, superstitions, restrictive rules & collectivistic rituals), while still remaining a “cultural” Christian & Westerner?
Krishna
Nobody can ban you from doing that! Go ahead and follow what you like about any way of life.
Q: Which have been the most dangerous ideas for human beings, religion or nations?  
Krishna: To follow illusionary ideas, opinions, pseudo-science, and irrational beliefs. And attack people who try to drill some sense into you.
You will never progress if you can’t think critically, differently. If you want to seek temporary solace instead of a permanent and real solution, there is no real peace of mind.
People don’t know how dangerously they are drifting away from reality with this attitude. And taking everybody around too with them into that whirlpool!
Q : Is luck everything?
Krishna: No! It is just nothing! Just your perception if you cannot think properly. Why? Read here: What is 'luck' according to science
Q: What is the meaning, or true reason behind the different death rituals in the Hindu religion? Krishna : True reason? Rituals originated from beliefs. Like souls exist (!) and the departing souls need satisfaction and assistance to cross over to another world (!). When unsatisfied, they stay here and trouble you in the form of spirits.

Different people had different set of beliefs and therefore suggested various things. Therefore, the rituals too somewhat differ from region to region.

During the earlier times people saw lives with pains, tragedies, sorrows and several things around them. They wanted some kind of theory which could explain all this. Therefore, they thought about explanations and theories which gradually led into beliefs. These beliefs, which were influenced by the times they lived in i.e., non-scientific reasoning, were products of constant fear of the unknown.

Some have rational explanations too. You should complete the cremation on the same day of death before the sunset ( in ancient times people didn’t know anything about infectious diseases and how to control them and therefore used cremation to destroy the infectious microbes that killed people, cleaned homes and everything in the deceased person’s home, took baths, didn’t cook food or eat it till they completed the complete cleaning process).

With the advent of the scientific era and the accompanied critical thinking, new found knowledge and solutions to problems, you can now understand things better and can have a thorough analysis and follow things that make sense and many are modifying the rituals too to suit them.

I am happy to say we certainly did!  We donate organs to help people around and that is our No.1 and the most important ritual.
Q; What is the principle behind the science of Astrology?
Krishna: Astrology is actually based on pseudo-science. Not real science. No scientist who can think critically endorses it. Read here why it is not related to science in any way: Debate between scientists and people who practice pseudo-science - ...
Q: If two people love each other but their horoscopes don't match (even life threatening combination), should they not marry each other?  
Krishna: Life threatening situations don’t occur because of zodiac based horoscopes. They occur because of genetic or medical horoscope mismatches. And this is a fact!

Get that right.

Yes, if two people love each other very much , they should go ahead and marry each other without consulting any Astrologer.

Yes, they can try and match their genetic horoscopes.

Scientists' strong Recommendation

Why Astrology is a fool’s paradise

Q: If astrologers can predict other's future, then why can't they predict the same for themselves? 

Krishna: Nobody can predict anybody’s future correctly. There is a real story about an Astrologer who horribly went wrong with his prewdictions.

It seems a very famous astrologer's wife was about to give birth. While she was being taken to a lobour room in a hospital, the astrologer gave money to one of the nurses and asked her to throw a lemon outside through the window - which should not be done actually - as soon as the baby was born.

The nurse obliged. Based on the time the lemon was thrown out of the window, the Astrologer prepared a horoscope for the girl. According to the astrologer's prediction, the first husband of the girl would die just two months after the marriage. Then she would marry another man and lives a very happy life.

Then when the girl was about 18, the astrologer thought ... 'Anyway the first husband of my daughter would die, why should I make her marry a good and healthy person? Let me get her a mentally retarded person who would be of no use and if he dies, nobody would be unhappy. After this person dies, I can search for a good groom and bring him as my second- son-in-law'. So he searched a for such a mentally ill person and got his daughter married to him.

But... his mentally challenged son-in-law didn't die even after several years making his daughter suffer all through her life!

The astrologer regretted his bad decision based on his worst prediction throughout his life.

That is what Astrology is!

Why Astrology is a Fool’s paradise

Q: Astrologer says I will never become an IAS officer. Should I believe in Kismat (fate), or that my strong determination and hard work can beat it? 
Krishna: If you want your dreams to come true, just believe in yourself. Astrology is a fool’s paradise. These predictions can never come true if you are really determined.

Why Astrology is a Fool’s paradise

Q: How do I predict the timing of marriage from astrology and on what planetary combinations?  

Krishna: You can’t! Nobody can do that correctly in fact. Read here why…

Why Astrology is a Fool’s paradise

Q: Can astrology tell about what I did in the last five years or ten years?
Krishna: Oh, yes, if you give the astrologers some clues - innocently though - or if they search your social networking sites for your activity. Nobody can really tell things like that. Read here why…
Q: How can you judge educational prospects in a horoscope?
Krishna : You can’t!
Three highly qualified Astrologers made three horoscopes for my friend. All of them predicted she would become a highly qualified scientist or a professor. She just stopped her studies with graduation. Instead I became one that was predicted in her horoscope to her horror!
Why Astrology is a Fool’s paradise
Q: Do ghosts exist? If not, then why do people say they have seen ghosts or something like that? 
Krishna: 

No, they don’t exist, according to science. But why do people say they see them or feel their presence? There are several reasons for this. Read them here:

Science and the paranormal

Q: Why does perdition get changed from one astrologer to another, and is there any chance that, with time, predictions could change?
Krishna : This is because each astrologer throws a stone in the dark. Some hit the target by chance, some don’t. Each one takes its own route of prediction dynamics. And none can be accurate. Why? Because of these reasons…
Q: Do astrologers who have a PhD in astrology tell the truth?
Krishna : No! Because astrology is not true science. It is pseudo-science. Anything based on a pseudo-subject, not facts, cannot predict anything correctly. Here is my evidence:
Q: How would you explain the concept of astrology without horoscope to a complete beginner?
Krishna: Like this…

Why Astrology is a Fool’s paradise

Q: Has any theory about afterlife been proven correct?

Krishna: No! I have seen several pseudo-scientific explanations, single papers published in dubious journals, anecdotal evidence, and strange interpretations of ‘science’.

But I have never seen evidence that can be placed at the top of the evidence pyramid and a fact of science that says after life is true.

There is no after life according to science

How Science Explains Near Death Experiences

Q: Are astrology, palmistry and futurology based on science?

Krishna: No, they are based on pseudo-science. Read the reasons why by clicking on the links given below …

Why Astrology is  Pseudo-science

Palm Reading: Science or Pseudoscience? • Great Plains Skeptic

Q: Do you think that religion in general has had a positive or negative effect on the world?
Krishna : Without a doubt, NEGATIVE effect.

People kill in the name of religion. ‘Holy places’ of religion are harbouring rapists, paedophiles, terrorists, science-deniers, and several other darker elements. What is religion doing to curb this menace? It is only shielding them most of the time. At least until we find them and law catches up with them.

Religion is ancient understanding and interpretation of the world around. It is not fact based.

Moreover, it breeds superstitions, baseless beliefs, exploitation of innocent and gullible.

Okay if people think religion also promotes peace and love have a re-look at what is happening in the world in the name of religion. We don’t see anything like that!

Supporters of religion, close your eyes and hope for the best. Good luck to you!
Q: Why is predicting the future a "BIG DEAL"?
Krishna: It is a big deal for those who believe in pseudo-science, not for others.

Nobody can predict the future correctly. It is a winning game for people who play to earn money by cheating people. And it is a game of losing for suckers.

It is a commercial game for the media.

It is an amusing game to watch and condemn for the rationalists.

Why Astrology is a Fool’s paradise

Q:How do you counter the argument that pseudo science works by some mechanism which is yet unknown to modern science? 

Krishna: People who say this are underestimating the capabilities of science and people who deal with it, i.e.,scientists. We know how pseudo-science works, alright.

The word "pseudo" means fake. To identify fake things, you really have to know about genuine things. Here the genuine thing is science. How did it become genuine? By strictly following scientific methods. Anything that doesn't get established by scientific method is therefore, fake.

While science tries to correct itself when new facts arrive and demand it, pseudo-science refuses to get corrected at any time, even when you show evidence contrary to it. It refuses challenges and tries to get confirmed by using dubious methods all the time unlike science that search for falsifications and the right methods to get established.

Pseudo-science hinges on sloppy research, not a genuine one. It depends on ignorance, anecdotal evidence, beliefs, mythology, fiction, misinformation, and all those things science discard to stand on - in other words - a shaky ground.

It first starts with a conclusion and then begins to search for things for support. In a way it looks for things it wants to see and not for things that are actually there.

Pseudo-science doesn't take into consideration genuine evidence, but deals with unverifiable things. Genuine facts are deliberately ignored in this domain.

If we really try to analyse it, it gets reduced to absurdity.

Pseudo-science works by creating a mystery, instead of really finding facts and truth like science does.

Pseudo-science is stagnant and can never progress. It is a friend of rhetoric and makes extra-ordinary claims that appeal to emotions and distrusts. Uses very ambiguous language to confuse people. Uses older ideas to hoodwink people.

I can go on writing like this. Because scientists have studied in detail how pseudo-science works and there is no ambiguity to it.

I think it is the last resort of people who propagate pseudo-science to say that it works in a way that science doesn't understand it. It might be their wishful thinking but sorry to disappoint them, scientists have high grade clarity on what they are talking about. They can easily tell what is science and what is not.

Okay if people who propagate pseudo-science thinks, they have something special up their sleeves that we still don't understand, let us see it. We are open to it.

Just yesterday I was debating about pseudo-science on TV. A pundit said, just because you cannot see something how can you say it can't exist. Did you see your great grandparents, great-great grand parents? Don't you accept them? This (pseudo-science) is also like that. Accept it like you accept your great grand parents.

And this was my reply to him : I didn't see my great grand father. But my father did. My father and my grand father inherited their genes from him. I too inherited my genes from him. I can test anytime and tell who my great grand father was with evidence.

Science can even give you your entire family tree. It can even tell who you evolved from. Even how the complex beings evolved from single cellular organisms. All this with genuine evidence. That is why I accept my great grand father.

Now can you give me such undeniable evidence for your pseudo-science? Give it to me and I won't say another word against your pseudo-science.

Common go ahead and make my mouth shut. You have my consent for it.

There was complete silence. Even the anchor had to be reminded that she was on live TV to start talking again.

That is the power of evidence based scientific facts. Pseudo-science can never reach such glory no matter how much it wishes and tries.

Q: How do you counter the argument 'scientists cannot talk about astrology because they have not studied and practiced it'?

Krishna: Who says we haven’t? Of course we didn’t study it as an academic subject, like some astrologers do, but studied enough to know whether it is based on sound science or not. I myself have thoroughly analysed it. So did some other scientists and rationalists. There are research papers published on it.

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