Catholic extremists against rationalism and truth

Much is made of the intolerance of Islamic extremists, but Catholic fundamentalists aren't much better. The global media has picked up a story from India. A prominent atheist was arrested when he debunked claims of a miracle that a cross was weeping. He revealed that the 'tears' were the very unmiraculous result of a leaky drain. The local Catholic Church demanded he retract his truthful claim and when he refused, they had him detained on blasphemy charges. According to Wikipedia, blasphemy in India is punishable by up to three years in jail. Yet another illustration of how intolerant religious fanatics are a menace to free thought regardless of their religion.

Bhopal, 25 years on

This essay is part of an occasional feature on this blog that presents compelling stories from elsewhere in the world, particularly Africa, that are little reported in the American media. It's part of my campaign to get people to realize there is a lot going on in the world outside the US, IsraelStine and the Trumped Up Enemy of the Month. A list of all pieces in this series can be found found here..


On the 25th anniversary of the Union Carbide poison gas leak catastrophe that killed thousands of people in Bhopal, India, BBC's From Our Own Correspondent has an essay on the human tragedy.