Here’s a story that became an instant-classic when it happened a few months ago - because it is a classic example of the disturbing and rather depressing consequences of the nature of religious superstition. In India back in February, a rumor was somehow started that an image of Mary would appear if you looked into the sun. Well, you can guess what happens next: at least fifty people lost their sight.

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’.

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.

The hospital reported having patients as young as 12 coming in with loss-of-vision problems. The good news is that according to the doctors, most of them will regain at least some of their vision. The bad news is that so many people actually believed this nonsense and were willing to risk their eyesight and health for it.