Sanal Edamaruku tells the Catholic Church: “For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind”
Tulpesh Patel reports Sanal Edamaruku's trip to Norway
On 10th of March, 2012, leading Indian rationlist Sanal Edamaruku was called out to a Mumbai chapel to investigate claims that a statue of Jesus was spontaneously weeping tears. Despite his long a colourful career debunking superstitions and religious myths, there was no way that Sanal could have foreseen that the reaction to his simple explanation – that the ‘weeping’ was caused by the capillary action of water from a nearby blocked sewage drain – would change his life forever and become a watershed case in securing India’s secular future.
Margaret Thatcher, Chandraswami and Natwar Singh
Natwar Singh is a gifted story teller. But he does not mind to use his talent for a dirty job. His pretentious tale of Margaret Thatcher’s alleged admiration for Chandraswami, that is hitting the media these days, is a brazen-faced attempt to bring the shady polit-tantrik, entangled in numerous high profile criminal cases, back into the match. It is appalling to see the former Indian cabinet minister and professed rationalist prostituting himself for such a service. But alas, if his story is true, it’s not the first time.
Sanal Edamaruku: Natwar Singh disgraced India by promoting superstition
Apr 10, 2013
Natwar Singh did a disgrace to India by projecting it as a country of snake charmers and superstitious beliefs. Even a child can tell that he was trying to promote a religious con-man like Chandraswami thus denigrating the image of India.
New Online Petition
Drop blasphemy charges against Sanal Edamaruku
Sign here…
The Rationalist Association (UK) has launched the Second Online Petition in Sanal Edamaruku’s support. The first one, calling upon the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India and the Archdiocese of Mumbai to encourage the withdrawal of blasphemy charges against Sanal Edamaruku has so far been signed by 12453 people (counting…), among them Richard Dawkins, PZ Myers, John Opie and many other prominent Rationalists. However, so far the Catholic authorities did not move.
Kunngjøring
If you are from Norway or otherwise speaking the interesting language of this beautiful coutry, here is good news for you: Our Bulletin will from now onwards have a Norwegian edition! Please spread the word! To subscribe to it, please click here.
Read it in Suomi
Sanal Edamaruku in Spain
In December 2012, Sanal Edamaruku visited Spain. He traveled across the country, met with rationalists, skeptics and atheists from all walks of life – among them many scientists, artists, students and professionals – and gave talks in Barcelona, Madrid, Granada and Gijon. In the first of his speeches, held on 15th December in Barcelona’s Civic Centre, Sanal provided insight into nature and mechanisms of various facets of the Indian belief in the paranormal and into the techniques of rationalist work.
Now you can see Sanal Edamaruku’s Barcelona speech on YouTube: click here.
Read it in English
Sanal Edamaruku on "Trolling With Logic"
Sanal Edamaruku has been special guest on TWL Live, an internet TV show and podcast on issues of science, skepticism and atheism. In the live program on 24 February, he speaks about a childhood event that prompted him to become a rationalist activist, about dangerous superstitions enjoying political support in India, about the Mantra Healing Centre and many other topics .... Now on YouTube.
Read it in English
Blasphemy, Free Speech, and Rationalism: An Interview with Sanal Edamaruku
The March/April issue of the American magazine The Humanist is just out with a long interview with Sanal Edamaruku. Sanal talks to the historian and writer Ryan Shaffer about his background, his childhood, his rationalist father, his academic interests and intellectual influences, about his work and success in India, about religion and state, the ongoing case, the draconic blasphemy law and about the future.
Tiempo Real – De la física y otras blasfemias
On 20th February, Tiempo Real, Latin America’s biggest TV network, has broadcast an interview with Sanal about the situation in India, his rationalist work and the blasphemy case against him. You can see it here.
Japan - South Africa – India
Evolution of a patriotic new avatar of superstition
Tiranga Bangle is the name of a new product on the great Indian superstition bazaar. This copper bracelet promises to relieve you from pain, cure a range of illnesses including gout and arthritis, protect you from the damaging influence of radioactivity and boost your energy, strength and vitality. Such claims are nothing very special in a country where scores of lucky charms, miraculous pendants, protective amulets, healing crystals and holy oils are out to lure the gullible and the fearful. But this is a slightly different story. And it is alarming.
Alarming erosion of intellectual and artistic freedom in India
I feel worried about India’s future. There is an alarming erosion of intellectual and artistic freedom in my country.
The fate of Kamal Haasan, great actor and rationalist, is yet another case in point. I heard his emotional statement the other day, considering exile as his last resort to further unfold his creative talent. I feel pained.
Rationalist International on FaceBook
Rationalist International has now an official page on Face Book. Please visit this page frequently for regular updates, news and links to wonderful articles. Mark your “Like” on the Rationalist International page, make comments, share articles and links and make it vibrant. Here is the address:
Indian Society of Authors asks Prime Minister of India:
"Drop all malicious charges against Sanal Edamaruku"
Prof. Dinish Mishra, prominent writer, scholar and President Emeritus of the Indian Society of Authors urged the Prime Minister of India in a letter sent on 3 February, to take up necessary steps to ensure the dropping of all malicious charges against Sanal Edamaruku. Full text of the letter is given below.
A LETTER FROM THE FINNISH HUMANIST UNION
Support Sanal Edamaruku
Dear Friends,
I write to you as the president of the Finnish Humanist Union, as an Honorary Associate of Rationalist International and as a close friend of Sanal Edamaruku since decades.
As you may know, Sanal is living in Helsinki since June 2012. I am glad that the Finnish Humanist Union is in a position to offer him a safe though modest base outside India from where he is fighting the blasphemy cases launched against him in India by religious zealots backed by the Roman Catholic Church. This case, based on a draconian law from colonial times, is posing a threat to Sanal’s freedom and even to his life, as we got confidential information about a plot to attack him if arrested.
WAITING FOR A FLYING SAUCER AGAIN...
Of psychopaths, profiteers and big doomsday biz
(Written one day before the world ended on 21 December 2012)
20th December, 2012. Doom is looming large. Our world is claimed to come to an abrupt end tomorrow. One of the few places on earth expected to be spared is the French village of Bugarach, south west of Carassone. Nestled in the shadows of the Pyrenees, it is a legendary place. Some 800 years back, Pope Innocent III launched here a bloody crusade to extinguish Cathar heresy. Tomorrow, aliens with a flying saucer are expected to land here to rescue the chosen ones. Fearing the worst, the mayor of Bugarach has called in police to cordon off the alien landing place....
Sanal Edmaruku charged after debunking crying Jesus statue
Click here to see the video
‘Blasphemy law is unworthy of secular democracy’
In a long and very open interview, Sanal Edamaruku speaks in Stockholm to Pallavi Polanki from FIRSTPOST about the draconian Blasphemy Law that has to be abolished, about his life in exile, about his "underground" times in Delhi, about failed attempts to win the support of Indian politicians and about his next plans. (Click here to read the interview)
India awakes
This TV program is a breakthrough. CNN IBN, a leading English-language channel, started a campaign for the freedom of Sanal Edamaruku. “Does a rationalist deserve to be jailed for questioning a religious miracle?”, asked firebrand moderator Sargarika Ghose on 4th December in CNN IBN’s flagship program Face the Nation, calling upon the public to take a stand. The response was impressive: people from all walks of life expressed unequivocal support for Sanal, on camera, on twitter and on facebook. The wave keeps running... And 87% of the viewers who participated in a public internet ballot answered the question “Are blasphemy laws out of place in a secular democracy?” with a clear Yes! The blasphemy law should go.
Read it in English
Home-made Catholic "miracle" at Ballinspittle
Travelling South and North Ireland during the last week of November, Sanal Edamaruku spoke in public meetings in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Belfast and met politicians, professors and students and supporters of atheist and rationalist organisations in several places. Before he left for Germany, the leaders of Atheist Ireland, who organized and hosted his journey, invited Sanal to visit the village Ballinspittle, the place of the famous Catholic “miracle” of the “Moving Mary” statue.
I used my best weapon: laughter
Sanal Edamaruku speaks about the bigger frame of the Blasphemy case against him, about the Vatican’s plans for India, Catholic miracles and a “Saint exportable”. He tells how he escaped a trap set for him and explains why the Indian blasphemy laws have to be abolished
Click here to see an excerpt of Sanal’s talk in Dublin
Click here to read more about the “Saint exportable”
Read it in Deutsch
/ Español
Ireland's blasphemy laws condemned
“Ireland’s blasphemy law is being cited by Islamic states 'as justification' for persecuting religious dissidents.... World public opinion has to be raised to the issue of blasphemy laws. I am not so much worried about me; I am worried about the end of these laws” -- Sanal Edamaruku
Click here to read the article
Read it in Deutsch
/ Español
26. November 2012 . INDIEN
Wunder-Enthüller wegen "Blasphemie" verfolgt
Click here to read the article (in German)
Read it in Deutsch
/ Español
A Rationalist Fights to Disprove Miracles in India
The American journalist Ashley Cleek travelled all the way to India to shed some light upon the background of the blasphemy case against Sanal Edamaruku. Here is her report
Ashley Cleek, November 23, 2012
“..... I met Edamaruku three years ago in Delhi. But this time, we spoke over Skype, because he has decamped to Europe, for “an extended lecture tour.” Edamaruku faces jail time back home. So what happened?
Read it in English
'Blasphemer' at risk of jail in India brings his fight to Europe
Sanal Edamaruku faces court for revealing 'tears' trickling down a statue of Jesus came from clogged drainage pipes
Henry McDonald, 23 November 2012
When water started trickling down a statue of Jesus Christ at a Catholic church in Mumbai earlier this year, locals were quick to declare a miracle. Some began collecting the holy water and the Church of Our Lady of Velan Kanni began to imagine a future as a site of pilgrimage.
Read it in English
Sanal Edamaruku speaks in Dublin, Cork, Galway & Belfast on 24, 25, 26 & 27 November
Click here to see the announcement
Senator Ivana Bacik greets Sanal Edamaruku at Atheist Ireland briefing for politicians, where he met with TDs (Deputies) and Senators today (22 November) to speak about his case and the blasphemy laws in India. Click here to see a clipping.
Report about the London Meeting
by Paul Sims
Wednesday, 21 November 2012
A large audience gathered at London's Free Word Centre this lunchtime for a free event organised by the Rationalist Association and Index on Censorship in support of Sanal Edamaruku, the Indian rationalist facing blasphemy charges after he debunked a supposed miracle involving a dripping crucifix at a Catholic Church in Mumbai. The event was a panel discussion featuring Sanal alongside the retired appeals court judge Stephen Sedley, the distinguished philosopher Richard Sorabji, and the journalist Salil Tripathi, who has written widely on free speech and Hindu nationalism in India.
Read it in English
Paul Kurtz passed away...
Paul Kurtz, American skeptic, founder of modern secular-humanist movement and philosopher, passed away on 20 October 2012. He was 86 years old. He was Honorary Associate of Rationalist International and also Honorary Associate of Rationalist Association (formerly RPA) of UK . In 1999 Kurtz received International Humanist Award by the IHEU, and in 2000 he received International Rationalist Award by the Rationalist International.
Sanal Edamaruku in Poland
Accepting an invitation of the Polskie Stowarzyszenie Racjonalistów (Polish Society of Rationalists, PSR), Sanal Edamaruku toured Poland this July. It was both, a fascinating and insightful journey through the history of Poland and a lively and cordial exchange with rationalists all over the country.
Małgorzata Koraszewska and Andrzej Koraszewski - new Honorary Associates of Rationalist International
Małgorzata Koraszewska and Andrzej Koraszewski from Poland have been elected Honorary Associates of Rationalist International. This is in recognition of their relentless and committed services for the rationalist cause in Poland and far beyond. Writing and publishing hundreds of enlightening articles and translations of today’s most powerful voices of reason, science and emancipation into Polish language, Andrzej and Malgorzata have inspired a generation of young rationalists and supported them swimming against the tide in a once deeply religious country. Especially by creating the rich and lively portal racjonalista.pl as an intellectual catalytic force, they have helped significantly in building a strong and dynamic rationalist movement in Poland and connecting it to rationalists all over the world.
Sanal Edamaruku says, “NO.”
“I can understand that they might be inspired by the stories of Inquisition and Witch Hunting in the middle ages. We live in 21st century. There are courageous people who would defend the right to speak what they are convinced about, even if stakes are invoked against them. I am one amongst them. I would not apologize nor succumb to any pressures.”
Read it in English / Deutsch / Español / Polski
Police in Sanal’s house to arrest him
4 July 2012.This morning, officers of the Delhi Police reached Sanal Edamaruku’s house to arrest him. They came upon directions of a Delhi court to execute an arrest warrant issued by a Mumbai Metropolitan Magistrate Court (second highest Criminal Court).
Read it in English / Deutsch / Español / Français / Polski / Suomi
For updates about this case
click here
Caspar Melville interviews Sanal Edamaruku
Indian rationalist Sanal Edamaruku vs the Catholic Church - lend your support
Read it in English
Catholic Church vs. Sanal Edamaruku
The noose is tightening at Mumbai
It is more than three weeks now that agents of the Catholic Church pressed multiple blasphemy charges against Sanal Edamaruku as revenge against him for exposing their “miracle” of the water-dripping cross as a job for the plumber. While the threat of arrest keeps looming over Sanal’s head, ready to hit anytime, the Catholic Church is unleashing the “dogs of the Lord”). In a widely circulated public statement, a fanatic Catholic group tries to invoke fatwa power and calls Sanal a case for mental asylum.
LATEST PRESS REPORTS:
Wall Street Journal (15 May 2012): Christ Statue in Mumbai Prompts Balsphemy Spat • The Hindu (7 May 2012): India's god laws fail the test of reason • Hindustan Times: Batting for reason in a land of faith • Financial Chronicle: Life is the greatest of all miracles • The Sunday Indian: Cross Connections • Assorted articles: Batting for reason in a land of faithSanal Edamaruku under attack for exposing Catholic "miracle"
Sanal Edamaruku on Catholic Miracles
The Catholic Church is famous for it’s preposterous fabricated miracles. The church has an interest in promoting innumerable bones of saints with allegedly curative properties, mystical shrouds and apparitions of the blessed virgin mary - they confer a sense of spiritual authority upon the church and help raise funds.
Read it in English / Polski
Christian forums file FIRS after IRA chief calls 'miracle water' a scam
Early last month Sanal Edamaruku, head of the Indian Rationalists Association had claimed on TV that the water seeping out of a cross near Vile Parle was fake.
Read the article
FIR against rationalist for questioning ‘miracle’
Man files complaint against Sanal Edamaruku who dismissed water dripping from Jesus statue as due to capillary action, saying he had made statements against the Church. Read the article
Hear an interview with Sanal Edamaruku in The Buffalo Beast
BEASTcast 28: Sanal Edamaruku
Posted by Josh Bunting On April - 15 – 2012
The magic healer of Janakpuri
A Rationalist Sting Operation
Janakpuri, one of the largest residential colonies in Asia, is located on the outskirts of New Delhi. In a sub-lane of one of the main residential blocks lives Sunderlal Bhargav. From behind the bamboo curtains covering his veranda in the ground floor, clouds of white smoke are soaring into the air. Holy mantras are being recited. In front of the fire, with an excited face, sits Alison, a blonde TV anchor from Australia. Vis a vis a jovial fat man clad in white, chanting relentlessly holy words. That is Bhargav. He is a holy man. Bhargav and Alison have struck a deal.
Read it in English / Deutsch / Español / Français / Polski / Suomi
Rushdie: Long shadow of the fatwa
Its twenty three years now. On 24th February 1989, Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini issued his fatwa against Salman Rushdie, author of “The Satanic Verses”. There was nothing very new about a religious leader calling for the murder of a writer because he did not like his books. Or perhaps more precisely: because he vaguely sensed irreverence in his expressions without even going to the bother of reading a line. Religious leaders, if only powerful enough, have always claimed the right to silence any voice that does not sing their song. Not only Islam - the history of Christianity is full of Khomeinis, indexing books and burning “heretics’ alive. Dogmatism cannot stand intellectual confrontation. It needs heavily guarded, air-tight protectorates to survive.
Read it in English / Deutsch / Español / Français / Polski / Suomi / हिन्दी
A related article by Sanal Edamaruku in Malayalam.
The Pope, his Bank & the Mafia
There is hullaballoo in the Vatican, since sensitive and highly embarrassing internal documents were leaked to the media. Over the past month, “Vatileaks” produced three major scandals: revelations of cronyism and corruption governing the papal state, the rumor of a murder plot against the pope, and allegations of sinister deals of the Vatican Bank.
Read it in English / Deutsch / Español / Français / Polski / Suomi
Saudi Arabia: Death threat against journalist for twitter comment
Saudi newspaper columnist Hamza Kashgari (23) is in great danger of being killed - with or without a court verdict. His fate lies in the hands of blood-thirsty Saudi clerics.
Read it in English / Deutsch / Español / Français / Polski / Suomi
Egypt: Actor Adel Emam sentenced to three months jail
The world famous Egyptian movie and stage actor Adel Emam* has been sentenced in absentia to three months jail for allegedly offending Islam and its symbols. He has one month to appeal against the sentence. The case was brought by a lawyer linked to an Islamist group. It refers to Emam’s performance a 2007 film and a 1998 stage play about an Arab dictator.
Read it in English / Deutsch / Español / Français / Polski / Suomi
UK: Richard Dawkins celebrates a victory over creationists
Prof. Richard Dawkins welcomed a decision by the British government barring free schools from state-funding if they teach creationism in science classes. The decision comes in the wake of the British Humanist Association’s powerful campaign against creationism, spearheaded by Dawkins and supported by 30 leading educationists and scientists.
Read it in English / Deutsch / Español / Français / Polski / Suomi
RATIONALIST REALITY THEATRE
Indian Rationalists have developed a novel way to immunize villagers against a very special disease that is rampant in India, highly communicable and extremely dangerous: superstition.
From the tour diary: Igniting fire without matches
From the tour diary: For the godman a hack on the shin
"
On 11th November 2011, Le Monde published an article about Sanal Edamaruku and the work of the Indian Rationalists, titled:The Indian who does not like the gurus. Read the full text (in French).
18 Sept. 2011
Premiere in Zurich
The event lived up to its name. In Zurich, the premiere of the Denkfest was put on stage this September. Under direction of the Swiss Freethinkers, it turned out to be a vibrant celebration of critical and scientific thinking on a high level.
19 March 2010
Rationalist challenges guru to kill him live on TV
How one rationalist is taking on the gurus.
Read it in English
More international articles about the Tantra Challenge
Indian guru tries to kill man with tantric ritual live on TV New York Daily News • Indian guru has killing in mind The Sun • Sceptic challenges guru to kill him live on TV Times Online • Tantric tries killing sceptic live on TV, fails Times of India • Radio 4 should not change its tune Telegraph.co.uk - Gill Hornby • Düşünce gücüyle öldürecekti (video) Internet Haber • 'Canlı yayında öldürürüm' dedi ama... Milliyet • Śmiał się, gdy hinduski guru próbował go "zabić" na wizji Wprost • Chciał "zabić" człowieka na wizji Wprost • 稱念力殺人 蘋果日報 (需訂閲)
