IRL : Atheist Ireland is calling for an immediate separation between the church and the state.
They
are holding a series of public meetings around the country to highlight
the issue and to raise awareness of the plight faced by victims of laws
on blasphemy.
Sanal Edamaruku, an Indian author who is currently
on a speaking tour of Ireland and will address a meeting in Cork today,
is facing jail in his home country for exposing a crying Catholic
statue as a fake.
Michael Nugent of Atheist Ireland says in light
of the death of Savita Halappanavar, the need for a separation between
church and state in Ireland has never been more significant.
"What
we're actually talking about is that it is controversial to suggest the
law should allow doctors to save the life of a woman who is dying. That
is the absolute rock bottom, minimum ethical standard you should expect
from any semi-civilised government," he said.
"The fact the 1983
pro-life amendment that has caused all this was definitely religiously
inspired and yet another example of interference from the church."