Blind Faith

Just when you thought you’d heard of every wacky notion believers have tried to find God, they decide to direct their attention to the Sun. Not Sun worship mind…actually looking at the Sun for hours on end, hoping to glimpse the Virgin Mary. Believe it or not, this is actually what 50 people in Kottayam, India did. Until they all went blind of course.

From the article:

At least 50 people in Kottayam district have reportedly lost their vision after gazing at the sun looking for an image of Virgin Mary.

Though alarmed health authorities have installed a signboard to counter the rumour that a solar image of Virgin Mary appeared to the believers, curious onlookers, including foreign travellers, have been thronging the venue of the ‘miracle’.

…

“The patients show varying degrees of severity. They are mostly girls in 12-26 age group. Our youngest patient is 12 and the oldest 60. Most of them were looking at the sun between 2 and 4 pm, when UV1 and UV2 rays are harshest,” Dr James Isaac said. He added that they could identify the problem as solar retinopathy because they were aware of the local sensation.

I think the bit that really astounds me is this:

There are quite a few people still seeking the miracle, despite the experiences of their unfortunate predecessors and strict health warnings against gazing at the sun with the naked eye.

So much for Intelligent Design.

Thanks to Digg for the link.