Sanal Edamaruku, a prominent rationalist from India was forced to leave the country because of blasphemy charges brought against him by the Catholic Church there because he showed how a ‘miracle’ of a Jesus statue dripping water from its feet was caused by a leaky connection to a plumbing system. It was and is a crazy case and shows the danger of blasphemy laws and how they can be used to protect religious beliefs that are used to fool believers.
The Rationalist Association of the UK is organizing a petition to ask the Indian government to drop charges against him so that he can return. An earlier petition making a similar request to the Catholic church was not successful.
I signed a year ago and I have just signed.
An earlier petition making a similar request to the Catholic church was not successful.
With a brand-new (and much more PR-savvy) Pope, another well-publicized try might work out better.
What if Emamaruku were to show up in Rome requesting an audience with Franny?
Oops, that should be Edamaruku in my # 2.