Chemistry professor uses science to study religion
Book explores the rationale behind faith
A THEORY that there are scientific explanations for most Tamil rituals drove chemistry professor and author Kandasamy Moodley to complete his book Saami Kumbidu (Worship God).
In his third book, Moodley, a retired Durban University of Technology lecturer, explains the significance behind common Tamil rituals.
“There is a scientific rationale behind everything we do — scientific explanations,” he said.
Moodley was fascinated by an American study, which found that pulling on the left ear activates the right brain and vice versa.
“Our grandparents have been doing that for years when they conducted the prayer to Lord Ganesha. I don’t feel as if my science gets in the way of my faith. I believe I can use science to understand my religion better and that is why I was the right person to compile Saami Kumbidu,” he said.
Moodley launched the book last month on his 75th birthday.
The professor spent time with priests, who assisted him with his research.
“The book wasn’t written to replace priests. I am a teacher and because of this, the book is based on simplicity. It is aimed at young people and those who are on the fringe of religion and want to know more and what it is all about.”
In his book, Moodley discusses the importance of having a lamp with a wick and changing the water kept near the lamp daily — it signifies a fresh start.
“The flame of the holy lamp is special. If we concentrate, we can see two parts to the flame — the outer yellow and the inner blue flame.
“In the religious sense, the outer part represents God as the father and the inner stands for God as the mother. Scientifically, we know that the outer flame is what burns, like the father that fights to protect you, and the inner is cooler, like the mother who teaches you with love.”
There are 2 000 copies of the book available. Copies retail at R100 each and each book is accompanied by a free CD containing the songs that appear in the book.
For more information, contact Moodley at moodleykg@dut.ac.za.