Double Roti

I am actually watching a programme on a TV channel about "rotis" that are doubling every seven days. And I am doubled up with laughter.

A word of warning for the gullible - the so-called "roti" seems to be a symbiotic mix of a bunch of bacteria and fungii, and may be contaminated with the more toxic relatives of these buggers. Probably not a good idea to ingest it unless you know how it has been cultured.

It's known as "Kombucha" or the "Manchurian mushroom", searches for these terms should throw up any extra information that you might be interested in. All said and done, it's not a miracle and it's certainly not a "roti"!

What I found amusing is that the people handling it can clearly see that it's texture and look and feel are nothing like a roti, yet they persist in calling it one. And of course, religion and god and faith jump into the fray and then discussing such things becomes impossible - because we are not supposed to hurt the feelings of the people of faith. Never mind that they don't seem to care about spouting rubbish and hiding behind "it's a matter of faith".

The disucssion goes something like this:
"It's only a fungus kind of thing, completely explained as merely being a culture that you grow."
"It's a matter of my faith in miracles and god. This will make the unbelievers and atheists turn towards god and that is a good thing."

One person was even asked whether anything "good" has happened to him (as is claimed by people). The best he could come up with was that his salary was received earlier than usual this month - he HAD to find something good that has happened to him and this is what he came up with. Another person said that there is nothing specific but that there is a general feeling of peace. Another one says that that there a now a *feeling* of prosperity in their house because of this "roti". People will go to any length to justify their "faith" (and dare I say, their ignorance?)

And I wonder why the TV channel didn't run a spot on the Kombucha when the info is so readily available? Are they afraid of busting this "matter of faith"? They certainly know what this is about, especially since an intrepid viewer called up and explained the whole thing and said he has sent them an email with references.