This blog seeks to be a reflection of Enlightenment values of humanity and common sense. And yet round us we still see examples of “religious” exploitation and antiquated belief.

Rampal Maharaj is the leader of a small sect that worships the 15th century mystic poet Kabir, whose reincarnation he claims to be. He has been resisting arrest for charges of murder; and when police stormed his ashram recently they found the corpses of four women and a child. Then there is Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, head of the religious Dera Sacha Sauda movement based in Haryana, northern India: prosecutors have filed charges of murder and sexual assault against him, yet thanks to his ties to politicians they’ve got nowhere.

It is ever thus: these “saints” use their power to exploit vulnerable female devotees, protecting themselves with a “praetorian guard” financed by their supporters. They enjoy the protection of local politicians, for whom they secure votes. Many devotees come to see how corrupt they are, but risk their lives if they speak out. (Part of an article by Raghavan Jagannathan, FirstPost.com).

You don’t need gurus, mahdis, priests, muftis, mullahs or archbishops to tell you what should be self-evident: that there are no hallowed halls of heaven with golden thrones and choirs. Regrettably, it is unlikely that you will meet up with your chums in the afterlife. What we have is what we see before us, so the strategy is to have a pleasant, honest, honourable life, offering care and love to those closest to you; being kind, polite, sensitive and considerate, and simply getting on with friends and acquaintances; enjoying good food and company and trying to be as creative as possible; doing good as you go, and dominating and exploiting no one. And when death comes being able to say, “I have had a good life and harmed few, if any, people”.