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Apr 21 2016 07:09pm
Faith healing has gotten some media spotlight recently in wake of the story of 20-year-old Mariah Walton who was born with a congenital heart defect that her parents both never told her about, but also opted for so-called "faith healing" in lieu of seeking medical attention. Doctors have said that her condition would've been relatively easily fixed when she was young, but that now the condition advanced to the point where it has ravaged her body and she is in need of both a heart and lung transplant. To this end she is seeking prosecution for her parents for what she argues to be negligence and endangerment. You can hear more about her specific condition from either this video (ignore the weird title) or link:



Quote
This matter goes beyond just Mariah's individual case as she is supporting legislation in Idaho that would require medical treatment for children in imminent danger of dying.

Some Idaho lawmakers have expressed concern over the proposal, saying it violates parental rights. "You know, it's a First Amendment right, the freedom of religion," said Idaho state Sen. Lee Heider.

Currently, state law protects parents from prosecution if their faith prohibits them from seeking medical care. The law shields parents even if their child dies from a treatable illness.


http://www.today.com/health/denied-medical-care-because-religion-she-now-wants-her-parents-t87141

Should her parents be prosecuted? Should legislation be changed such that parent's aren't able to use religious freedom as justification for not seeking medical attention for their children? Should the State have the right to intervene when a child's life is in danger, and if so, how should that be handled/paid for?

Beyond religion, do some of the same arguments for intervention when it comes to faith healing also apply to other areas, such as parents who don't get their child vaccinated?

This post was edited by Handcuffs on Apr 21 2016 07:10pm
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Apr 21 2016 07:12pm
As an addendum to the topic, perhaps explore people who willingly forego treatment for non-religious reasons, say for example anti-vaxxers?
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Apr 21 2016 07:13pm
Religious freedom doesn't grant you the right to harm others, even if they are your kids as your kids are citizens of the government as well. Thus they get protection as well.

So pretty much parents refusing medical treatment in cases such as this, they are at fault and should be prosecuted.

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Apr 21 2016 07:13pm
Quote (Santara @ Apr 22 2016 01:12am)
As an addendum to the topic, perhaps explore people who willingly forego treatment for non-religious reasons, say for example anti-vaxxers?


Quote (Handcuffs)
Beyond religion, do some of the same arguments for intervention when it comes to faith healing also apply to other areas, such as parents who don't get their child vaccinated?


Uhhh.

This post was edited by Handcuffs on Apr 21 2016 07:14pm
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Apr 21 2016 07:17pm
...religious beliefs are not an acceptable excuse for ignoring serious health issues in ones own children especially for someone like myself who believes medical knowledge is a gift from God .
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Apr 21 2016 07:18pm
Quote (WidowMaKer_MK @ Apr 22 2016 01:17am)
...religious beliefs are not an acceptable excuse for ignoring serious health issues in ones own children especially for someone like myself who believes medical knowledge is a gift from God .


Do you believe the State has the right to intervene in cases like the OP?

This post was edited by Handcuffs on Apr 21 2016 07:18pm
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Apr 21 2016 07:18pm
religious or non religious if your nuttery is killing your kid it's time for the state to step in and get the kid some treatment while deciding if the parents should be prosecuted or something can be done to get the situation fixed through some counseling or mediation
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Apr 21 2016 07:19pm
This situation looks like abuse.

However, I fear the slippery slope which might result in overreach by the government. Circumcision could be argued as abuse and thus parents could be charged.
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Apr 21 2016 07:19pm
Quote (sir_lance_bb @ Apr 22 2016 01:13am)
Religious freedom doesn't grant you the right to harm others, even if they are your kids as your kids are citizens of the government as well. Thus they get protection as well.

So pretty much parents refusing medical treatment in cases such as this, they are at fault and should be prosecuted.


What should the punishment be in a case like this? And for future cases, does the State have the right to intervene, and if so, what would that look like?
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Apr 21 2016 07:19pm
Quote (Santara @ 22 Apr 2016 11:12)
As an addendum to the topic, perhaps explore people who willingly forego treatment for non-religious reasons, say for example anti-vaxxers?


Because what other people choose that has nothing to do with you matters so much right?

Not allowed to discriminate against people who claim to be something that they aren't, but you are allowed to imprison or fine people who don't do things the way you do.
Sounds like a really consistent ideology.

I prefer they choose not to use the medical industry, it saves on costs and it was their right to make the decision.

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