You‘Ve Killed Your Children. Not God. Not Your Church. You

[LazyGun]

This judges summary seems pretty accurate to me.

Couple sentenced to jailtime ( enough?) for the wholly preventable death of their son. Makes for grim reading, especially when you consider that the Church they are part of has not changed its views. One can imagine other preventable tragedies.

But not for members of this flock, no. This Pastor/Church preaches that "Satan tests through illness. God is a jealous God. Trust in medicine and doctors is idolatry. Only true faith in the divine power of God heals".

As for the Pastor, his main concern was that the other children in the family had been placed into care in "non-believers homes", and the reason for the childs death was because of a "spiritual lack" of the parents.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/02/19/judge-sentences-faith-healing-killers-youve-killed-your-children-not-god-not-religious-devotion-you/

[Old_Geezer]

Hardly. Failing to prevent a death is not the same as causing one. Furthermore any action one hopes will work and doesn't can be subject to the same criticism, including conventional medicine. It seems to me the judge let their personal opinion hold sway instead of judging impartially. It's their job to way things up and sentence not use the opportunity to berate for their own satisfaction. That's Jeremy Kyle's job.

[Old_Geezer]

weigh

[emmie]

should have got life, at least that way they can't produce any more children they can let die.

[douglas9401]

I suppose they're demented enough to think that the wee soul is safe in the arms of Jesus now.

Pitiful.

[mikey4444]

Yet another example of how people can be taken in by the illogical belief in irrational circumstance, which pretty much sums up any religion. A not untypical American story of course but with the rise in fundamental Christianity in Britain, it could happen here as well. Poor little child.

[emmie]

this was the second one they let die, what is wrong with people

[jim360]

"....any action one hopes will work and doesn't can be subject to the same criticism, including conventional medicine."

Not at all. There are rational hopes that something can work and irrational ones. Conventional medicine does work very well -- indeed, that's why it's conventional! -- and faith-based medicine does not. Anyone who continues to rely solely on the power of prayer is almost certainly condemning whomever is in their care to an early grave.

Put even more bluntly, faith-healing isn't even doing anything. To call it an action is just utterly wrong. If you give someone a drug that works usually but doesn't in this case, at least you tried something. If you stand by and watch as your child wastes away and appeal to your God but otherwise do nothing, you've done nothing. No comparison whatsoever between the two.

[beso]

There have been similar cases where religious beliefs in vegan diets have resulted in the deaths of babies through acute malnutrition.

Unfortunately reality doesn't seem to get a look in with some people and they are unmoved from their superstitions.

[China Doll]

Bloody hideous business. I wonder if there is a charge that could be brought against the pastor? I know this is America so laws different but if there was a similar thing in this country (and there has been and no doubt will be again), if there is a charge that could be aimed at pastor as well, kind of as an accomplice? I really don't know the answer but I do feel that they hold a responsibility too.

[andy-hughes]

It's a step away from throwing a bound woman into a pond as a witch - if she floats she is a witch, and is hung, if she sinks, she is not a witch, but she drowns.

Never underestimate the power of humans to be subverted by influences that make them feel better about themselves and that is essentially what religion is.

As in these cases, a death simply confirms their belief because their faith was 'not strong enough' this time around.

[mikey4444]

More stupid Americans it would seem.

[mibn2cweus]

Anyone who promotes faith as a viable alternative to reason is equally culpable in the neglect which leads to these kinds of death. With the onset of reason, rationality, that which distinguishes us from the common ape has come to define us as a unique species that has come to rely on reason to maintain that distinction and to promote what has become our sole means of survival as a species. A vote for faith, (such as is entailed in a belief in 'god') is a vote of no confidence in our common humanity and a guilty verdict against those who abstain from reason.

[vulcan42]

Have they discovered a get out clause in the sixth commandment?

[emmie]

not limited to the US though, plenty of fanatics who will let their children die, by giving them a gun and tell them go fight the enemy, whoever that might be, religion is just an excuse for some to behave like barbarians.

[jomifl]

Didn't god allow his 'son' to die? so there is a precedent.

[beso]

If a doctor gives advice contrary to medical science and it resulted in the death of a patient they would be in big trouble.

The pastor is masquerading as a doctor by giving medical advice and should be accountable.

Unfortunately the notions of religious freedom all them to get away with it.

[pixie373]

Nowhere near long enough for basically a,double murder of their children. I agree totally with your title. I've found it frustrating before when people blame "Muslims", for instance, for the act of an individual. Religion is a feeble excuse, not a cause, and certainly not a reason for not thinking for yourself.

[LazyGun]

I agree with you Pixie. Having this kind of evangelical faith is dangerous to the health and wellbeing of you and your family.

And the difference between here and the US is one of scale and results; It was not so long ago that a group of Christian Scientists in Bath were reported to the ASA for claiming in adverts and in street marketing that prayer could heal cancer.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2095540/Christian-group-banned-claiming-heals-sick-street-prayer-sessions-outside-Bath-Abbey.html

[naomi24]

Ahhh, come on! We have to respect religious beliefs, don’t we?

[pixie373]

Well, it's newsworthy that a judge has put children's lives above religious rights (finally)...