opiate of the Maoists

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Sep 30, 2008

 Nepal's new Maoist-led government has authorised the appointment of a six-year-old girl to be a "living goddess" in the temple town of Bhaktapur.

The BBC coverage explains that the Nepalese monarchy regularly appointed goddesses. However: "The monarchy was abolished after the Maoists, who are atheists, won elections earlier this year." So now the atheists appoint the goddesses. This is a bit confusing. After they appoint the goddesses, do they cease to believe in them?

The goddesses, known as kumaris, must "pass ritual tests and have 32 beautiful physical attributes," BBC informs us. I can understand that a goddess should be beautiful. I'm having a bit of trouble with the concept that mortals would administer a test to see if the goddess qualifies. But there's more. The latest goddess is described by admirers as having "eyelashes like a cow" and "a voice as soft and clear as a duck." 

OK, so here's a helpful suggestion for you devoted husbands: This evening, give your own domestic goddess a test or two, and tell her that she has "eyelashes like a cow." Good luck with that.