The home, which was run by an order of Catholic nuns and closed in 1961, was one of many such institutions that housed tens of thousands of orphans and unmarried pregnant women who were forced to give up their children throughout much of the 20th century.

In 2014, historian Catherine Corless tracked down death certificates for nearly 800 children who died at the home in Tuam between the 1920s and 1961 — but could only find a burial record for one child.

    • @HugeNerd@lemmy.ca
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      45 hours ago

      Religion is the last mental illness you can’t call out or treat. When you have Mike Huckabees et al going around ushering in the End Times, we should have the power to medicate these people into a barely functional stupor.

            • @null_dot@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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              11 minute ago

              It wasn’t a septic tank.

              It was a structure with 20 compartments which was originally designed as some kind of sewage management system but was never used as such.

              So your question is really, do I think they had a valid and good reason to bury 800 infants, who had died from various bacterial and viral infections over a long period of time.

              The obvious answer to that is yes.

              It was a refuge for mothers and children. There’s no indication of any abuse or neglect of the deceased at this time. I’m sure there are many valid criticisms to be made about this time and this place, and certainly there are valid criticisms to be made about religion, but this refuge is not the baby murder facility you’re looking for.

              There’s a snopes article with a lot more information which challenges the assumptions you’re making:

              https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/06/18/796-children-septic-tank-ireland/

    • @Anomalocaris@lemm.ee
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      26 hours ago

      the idea of banning religion is painfully tyrannical, like how could you do that without instituting a thought police or a state sanctioned belief system…

      however, in reality, they most toxic part of religion of organised religions, when they are big institutions fighting for political power rather than maintaining their beliefs and communities.

      possible solution: progressive tax on religious institutions based on their size, a small community of 50 to 100? tax free, you have 1000s of congregants? start rising, megachurches with 1000 thousand people? 95% tax…

            • @Landless2029@lemmy.world
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              4 hours ago

              God has caused the bloodiest and most brutal wars ever fought, which were all based on religious hatred. Millions have died simply because ‘God told’ Hindus, Muslims, Jews, and Christians it would be a ‘good idea’ for them to kill each other.

              • George Carlin, Comedian and Social Critic

              The most detestable wickedness, the most horrid cruelties, and the greatest miseries, that have afflicted the human race have had their origin in this thing called revelation, or revealed religion. It has been . . . the most destructive to . . . the peace and happiness of man.

              • Thomas Paine, Political Philosopher (1796)

              The bloodiest wars in history have been religious wars.

              • Richard Nixon, even this Dick thinks so
            • @Landless2029@lemmy.world
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              25 hours ago

              I don’t think religion itself is evil. But corporate religion. Organizations and individuals that claim religion as the reasons for thier own sin for profit. People waving the bible as an excuse to do harm unto others.

              Worship of a higher power or purpose shouldn’t ever be used as a reason or means to commit sins. That’s the major problem. Corruption and hypocrisy is rampant because people gather power under the flag of religion. Power easily corrupts the more it gathers.

              • @Anomalocaris@lemm.ee
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                25 hours ago

                agree 100%

                but will be pedantic and complain about your usage of “sin”, as it is a Christian concept and not necessarily a bad thing.

                • @Landless2029@lemmy.world
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                  14 hours ago

                  Sin/evil deeds then. Many decent religions denounce evil deed and have good morals. Then there are other religions that promote sacrifice of life (your own or others).