Jesus wept

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From Slate Mag:

Jesus Wept

A skeptic faces possible charges for debunking Mumbai’s miracle statue.

By Jon White|Posted Saturday, July 7, 2012, at 7:00 AM ET

Indian rationalist Sanal Edamaruku faces possible charges for debunking a "miracle" statue of Christ in Mumbai.

Sanal Edamaruku faces a Catholic backlash after insisting that the "holy" water dripping from a statue of Christ in Mumbai, India, came from a leaky drain. Edamaruku is the founder and president of Rationalist International, president of the Indian Rationalist Association, and honorary associate of the U.K. Rationalist Association.

What was the so-called miracle you recently investigated in Mumbai?

The priest and the very active Catholic laity organizations associated with the Our Lady of Velankanni Church in Mumbai were promoting the idea that water dripping from the feet of a statue of Jesus was a sign from God. Hundreds of believers flocked to the dripping cross, collecting and consuming "holy" drainage water that they believed would cure all ailments.

What prompted you to intervene?

I was invited to the Delhi studio of TV9, a Mumbai-based national channel, to comment. During the program, I rejected the possibility of a miracle but of course could not give scientific explanations without an investigation. The channel then invited me to come to Mumbai. The church authorities agreed.

What did you find?

I had a close look at a nearby washroom and the connected drainage system that passed underneath the concrete base of the cross. I removed some stones from the drain and found it was blocked. I touched the walls, the base, and the cross and took some photographs for documentation. It was very simple: Water from the washroom, which had been blocked in the clogged drainage system, had been transmitted via capillary action into the adjacent walls and the base of the cross as well as into the wooden cross itself. The water came out through a nail hole and ran down over the statue's feet.

You now face possible arrest. Why?

Leaders of two Catholic laity organizations have launched charges against me under Section 295A of the Indian penal code. This charges a person with "deliberately hurting religious feelings and attempting malicious acts intended to outrage the religious sentiments of any class or community.” It is absurd to claim that I did anything of the sort.

What do you fear might happen to you?

If it comes to a trial, I have nothing to fear. I would welcome the opportunity to throw some light on the role that the Catholic Church played and is still playing today here in India. The possibility of arrest is threatening, however.

Do you have any regrets about intervening?

Why would one not intervene when somebody gives gullible people sewage to drink? But my reason is broader. The promotion of superstition and belief in paranormal phenomena dulls people's minds and establishes dangerous misconceptions about reality in our society. Such efforts have to be countered.

Why do people so readily believe in miracles?

For many, the regressive belief in superstitions and miracles is an escape from the hardships of life. Once trapped into irrationalism, they become more incapable of mastering reality. It is a vicious circle, like an addiction. They become vulnerable to exploitation by astrologers, godmen, dubious pseudo-psychologists, corrupt politicians, and the whole mega-industry of irrationalism.

katenorwood

Interesting
Joe,
Another good, insightful article. I am hearing John Lennon singing...can't remember the exact song, but on the lines of....no religion...no heaven or hell...and the world would live as one. My heart goes out to the people of any country that are duped by trusted officials...wouldn't want to be in line behind these folks in front of St. Peter at the gates of heaven....lol ! Yeap, my catholic upbringing is showing once again ! Hoping things are well with you my friend ! Katie

soccerfreaks

katenorwood said:

Interesting
Joe,
Another good, insightful article. I am hearing John Lennon singing...can't remember the exact song, but on the lines of....no religion...no heaven or hell...and the world would live as one. My heart goes out to the people of any country that are duped by trusted officials...wouldn't want to be in line behind these folks in front of St. Peter at the gates of heaven....lol ! Yeap, my catholic upbringing is showing once again ! Hoping things are well with you my friend ! Katie

"Imagine"
by John Lennon

Take care, Katie,

Joe

Hondo

Sad

Very sad because it gives true belief in God a bad Name. Maybe that is why God said in His 3rd Commandment that we are not to make any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. And we are not to bow down ourselves to them, nor serve them because they are just the work of the hands of Mankind. They can’t see, can’t hear, can’t speak, and they don’t do Miracle’s. Just more pagan belief and traditions that came into the church during the dark ages.

Hondo

sea60

Hondo said:

Sad

Very sad because it gives true belief in God a bad Name. Maybe that is why God said in His 3rd Commandment that we are not to make any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. And we are not to bow down ourselves to them, nor serve them because they are just the work of the hands of Mankind. They can’t see, can’t hear, can’t speak, and they don’t do Miracle’s. Just more pagan belief and traditions that came into the church during the dark ages.

Hondo

I agree Hondo
Well said friend.

RE

:-(
I agree what a sad article, that those entrusted with the hearts of the faithful would purposefully dupe them is shameful but it is not for me to judge they will be judged when they pass on. My real concern is for those whose faith is tested or those who are on the fence and such an event casts them to side of disbelief...only harm can come from deceit. I feel badly for the de-bunker as well, he certainly does not deserve to go to prison for shining light on the falsifiers. I for one obviously believe in miracles as I have been witness to what I would consider a miracle or two in my lifetime, they exist there is no need to create mythical ones.