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:
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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-t87141Should 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