Tomichan Matheikal

Why False Beliefs Feel True

By comparing the delusions of Don Quixote with the spiritual vision of St. Francis of Assisi, the article explores how human beliefs act as lenses that shape our perception of real…

Doubt vs Faith

Using the characters of *The Brothers Karamazov* as archetypes, the article explores the fundamental tension between the intellectual demand for truth and the human need for existe…

Stories and Faith

While the capacity for belief is innate, the specific content of our beliefs is primarily acquired through stories that provide meaning and emotional resonance. By utilizing "narra…

Believing and Knowing

The article distinguishes between belief, which is driven by a need for emotional security and meaning, and knowledge, which relies on evidence and justification. It argues that wh…

Belief as a Survival Mechanism

Belief is an evolutionary survival mechanism that allows humans to make rapid decisions under uncertainty, yet these same cognitive processes can also foster denial, superstition, …

We are Born to Believe

Belief is a fundamental human capacity that precedes reason, serving as the essential foundation for survival and the functioning of daily life. While Sigmund Freud viewed religiou…

Is Jesus God?

The author, an atheist with spiritual interests, proposes a unique perspective that Jesus "became" God by overcoming human struggles through compassion and moral excellence. He arg…

Athirappilly: Expectation vs Reality

Comparing a recent visit to Athirappilly waterfall with memories from 1981 and 1995, the author laments the site's dramatic environmental decline. The once-pristine landscape has b…

We are Star Stuff

Drawing on Carl Sagan’s concept that "we are star stuff," the article explains how all life shares a common ancestry rooted in the elements forged inside ancient stars. It highligh…

The Other Silence

Father Gabriel, a priest haunted by the social stigma of his untouchable caste background, turns to alcohol to cope with deep-seated feelings of isolation and inadequacy. Through a…

Intentions and Actions

People often judge themselves by their intentions while judging others by their actions, creating a fundamental disconnect in how we perceive character. While understanding a perso…

Your Passport to Hindu Temples is Cancelled

The author criticizes the decision to ban non-Hindus from several major temples in Uttarakhand, viewing it as a regressive move that contradicts the inclusive philosophical traditi…