My preliminary comments on this 'rancourous' stuff ....(Marshall Mendonza) MM contra SH (Santosh Helekar)
[1] SH: .....the so-called "Catholic-Christian Secular Forum (CSF)" based in Mumbai is not a secular forum at all, but that it is a medieval religious chauvinistic organization SIMILAR to the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti jc 1: As far as 'religious chauvinism' is concerned, SH has a point IF (for instance) the CSF prevented free speech and an individual's right to see movies like the DaVinci Code. -- [2] Joseph Dias: Sanal Edamaruku refers to the Holy Father disrespectfully as Mr. Pope, which is also not acceptable, as per international protocol. jc2: Nonsense!. Where can I find this 'international protocol', and under which law is it BINDING on a non-Catholic? -- [3] Joseph Dias: Sanal Edamaruku alleges that Indian Catholics are ushering the Dark Ages in India. jc3: I suggest that the above allegation would stick only to those Indian Catholics who (for instance) prevented free speech and an individual's right to see movies like the DaVinci Code. -- [4]SH: Regarding the fate of Edamaruku, it is clear that the CSF is engaged in PERSECUTION of a private individual for merely expressing his opinion in public, by inciting public outrage and hatred against him through mass emails to members of its religious community, and by demanding criminal prosecution under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code of 1860. jc4: I am not so sure IF the term 'persecution' is applied correctly here....please se #5 & 6 -- [5] 295A. Deliberate and malicious acts INTENDED to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs. jc5: It would be interesting how the INTENT would be proved. -- [6] http://tinyurl.com/slander1 / http://tinyurl.com/slander3: Sanal Edamaruku, president of the Indian Rationalists Association for calling the incident a MONEY-MAKING racket on a TV channel jc6: IF Mr. Sanal Edamaruku has evidence of 'MONEY-MAKING' relative to this incident, he should present it. If he does not, he should withdraw the canard or face civil prosecution for LIBEL/SLANDER.; Unless, he presents the 'temporary insanity' defence. -- [7] http://tinyurl.com/slander3: Sanal Edamaruku, head of the rationalist association and a heroic fighter against superstitions and religious bigotry in India, faces persecution from the CATHOLIC CHURCH. jc7: From the CATHOLIC CHURCH? How unrational is that?! In conclusion: a: The coiners of the term 'Catholic-Christian Secular Forum' would do well by looking up the meaning of the word 'secular'. b: Those who claim to be Catholic, would do well to note that this is 21st century. Many more Catholics know their rights than antes. This nonsense which happened wrt 'Da Vinci code' is an insult to the intelligence of many educated Catholics. Ironically, it appears that at least ONE more Catholic saw the 'Da Vinci code' movie, than would normally have. And that person, to the best of my knowledge, is still a strong practising Catholic. c: IF the CSF wishes to achieve an equitable and trustable status in this world, I'd suggest that they consider the following: (1) replace the word 'secular' in its title. It is quite oxymoronic as it stands presently. (2) Concentrate on dealing with Catholic issues first esp the Child Abuse scandal. IF it does, it will note how progressive the Church's new position is. (3) While (and I know this for a fact) the Catholic clergy esp the nuns are repeatedly targeted - esp in the NE of India, this CSF presently disseminates unreasonable and sensationalised accounts of incidents.(4) Catholic organisations would do well to encourage young Catholics to study and work very very hard, and to achieve the best they can. d: Individuals like Sanal Edamaruku, who are supposed to be the head of the rationalist association and alleged heroic fighter, should consider engaging their heads before running their mouths or banging on their keyboards. Slandering/Libeling others does not make one very 'heroic'. Only a coward will slander someone without proof. And let's face it, we are not referring to "ancient" history here ... or to "facts" which may have been 'shredded or otherwise destroyed". We are talking about real time. jc