Atheist Ireland call for separation between church and state following Savita death
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."
