Why Do Humans Believe in Gods, Miracles, and Superstitions—and How Has Science Challenged These Beliefs?
From ancient myths to modern innovations, humanity’s relationship with belief has always shaped its destiny. Even as we step into an age of artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and interplanetary exploration, faith and superstition continue to command enormous influence. India, perhaps more than any other nation, embodies this paradox vividly. It has sent missions to the Moon and Mars, built one of the world’s most advanced digital economies, and emerged as a technological powerhouse—yet astrology dominates television, numerology guides political decisions, and “miracle cures” often outshine scientific medicine in the public eye.
Gauhar Raza’s From Myths to Science—published by Penguin Random House—dives deep into this intriguing contradiction. Written by one of India’s most respected scientists, poets, and filmmakers, the book examines why irrational beliefs continue to thrive in an age of scientific progress and how faith, politics, and science collide in shaping public life.
Raza argues that belief in gods, miracles, and superstitions stems from a complex web of psychological comfort, cultural continuity, and social conditioning. Religion, he explains, has historically offered humans a sense of meaning and security in an uncertain world. But when religious faith turns into dogma, or when superstition begins to masquerade as science, it hinders progress and critical thinking. The author traces this tension from the earliest myths—where gods explained natural phenomena—to the modern era, where misinformation and pseudoscience still manipulate public opinion through new digital platforms.
One of the most compelling aspects of From Myths to Science is its distinction between religion, faith, tradition, and superstition—terms that are often used interchangeably but have very different relationships with science. Religion, Raza notes, can coexist with reason when it remains a private source of moral guidance. Faith can inspire creativity and resilience. Tradition can preserve valuable cultural heritage. But superstition, rooted in fear and ignorance, resists evidence and discourages inquiry.
The book also explores how blind faith is weaponised in the political sphere. Across history, rulers have often used divine authority to legitimise power. In today’s world, Raza warns, pseudoscience and myth-based narratives are being deployed to sway public opinion and deepen social divides. When scientific temper—the spirit of rationality, curiosity, and evidence-based reasoning—is undermined, democracy itself is at risk.
Raza’s writing combines scientific rigour with poetic sensitivity. He reminds readers that India’s Constitution envisioned a society grounded in reason, where education and inquiry would liberate citizens from superstition. Yet, decades later, the battle between faith and science continues. Why, he asks, do so many still believe in astrology over astronomy, or in numerology over data-driven analysis? His answer lies partly in the failures of science communication—how the language of laboratories often fails to reach the language of the street.
What makes this book interesting
· Religion, faith, tradition and belief are not the same, and each connects to science in different ways.
· Even with easy access to science, superstition and fake science still shape what people think and how decisions are made.
· Religion gives people comfort and meaning, but it’s often used in politics to create divisions.
· The book reminds us of India’s promise to build a society based on reason and scientific thinking, a goal that matters more today than ever.
Accessible and sharp, From Myths to Science is written for everyone who has ever questioned why irrational practices endure in a modern democracy. Raza blends history, philosophy, science, and contemporary events to map how belief, power, and science intersect in India’s evolving public life.
This is a book for students, thinkers, policy watchers, scientists, and anyone invested in the country’s democratic future.
Praise for From Myths to Science
‘An excellent analysis of the common roots of myth and science’ PROF. JON D MILLER, research scientist emeritus, University of Michigan
‘A masterful account of how science rose from myth and faith’ MRIDULA MUKHERJEE, former professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University
‘Raza . . . tackles with grace, passion and clarity that great dilemma of science communication of translating concepts into narrative’ MARTIN W. BAUER, professor of social psychology and research methodology, LSE
About the Author
Gauhar Raza is a scientist, poet, and documentary filmmaker celebrated for advancing the public understanding of science. As former Chief Scientist at CSIR–NIScPR, he introduced the influential Cultural Distance Model to explain how societies perceive science. He has also authored acclaimed Urdu poetry and directed documentaries such as In Dark Times, Inqilab, and Jung-e-Azadi. Founder of The Journal of Scientific Temper, Raza has represented India internationally as a champion of reason and progressive thought, blending intellect with creativity to illuminate the enduring struggle between faith and evidence.
In From Myths to Science, he reminds us that the pursuit of reason is not just a scientific mission—it is a moral and democratic one. The book calls on readers to reclaim the spirit of inquiry and build a future where knowledge triumphs over fear, and where belief coexists with curiosity rather than suppressing it.
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