Veteran Bollywood screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar has always been outspoken about his atheism and his views on religion. During a recent event in Mumbai, he elaborated on why he identifies as an atheist and criticized the practice of scientists praying to gods after sending rockets to the moon, calling it ‘schizophrenia.’
Javed Akhtar explained that his atheism stems from his ability to “think” critically.
He highlighted how, in earlier times, people were punished for thinking scientifically. He also pointed out that in the 20th and 21st centuries, many people exhibit “split personalities” by believing in both science and religion. He emphasized this by citing an example of an ISRO scientist who successfully sends a rocket to the moon, only to then pray to God, a behavior he described as “schizophrenia.”
In an interview with the Free Press Journal, the 79-year-old screenwriter-lyricist remarked,
” A man in India from ISRO, who can send a rocket to the precise place of moon… The moment you send it, you go out and go to a temple. It has happened for the first time in human history where your own knowledge and information, which you own, and your faith are not on the same page.”
Akhtar also stated that “all religions belong to the dark ages,” explaining that their roots are entrenched in those times. He added, “You carry the dark age with you. Your umbilical cord has not been cut from the dark ages.”
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JAVED AKHTAR EXPLAINS ATHEISM – PROMO
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#WATCH | On his visit to Pournamikavu, Bhadrakali Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, ISRO Chairman S Somanath says, "I am an explorer. I explore the Moon. I explore the inner space. So it's a part of the journey of my life to explore both science and spirituality. So I visit many… pic.twitter.com/QkZZAdDyX3
— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2023
On the professional front, Javed Akhtar was recently featured in the documentary series “Angry Young Men,” which delves into the challenges faced by the iconic screenwriting duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, also known as Salim-Javed. Currently streaming on Prime Video, the series features testimonies from their family members and industry veterans like Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan.
