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Nuts, Churches, Zealots, Child Sacrifices!

By Patrick

Here is a news story of from this week that I keep thinking about:

Diabetic Girl Dies as Parents Pray Instead of Calling For Medical Aid.

The headline makes it sound like Mom and Dad exercised poor judgement in a rapidly changing situation. But that's not quite what happened. Primary diabetic ketoacidosis generally involves a long, slow spiral around the drain before a patient actually succumbs. A patient (or their guardian) generally has lots of time (in this case, about a month) to consider their response.

This morning the Church issued a press release. An hour later it was nowhere to be found (maybe they got some good legal advice?) Luckily I was able to dredge it up with my browser's "back" button and upload it to Cal Webfiles:

Press Release from Unleavened Bread Ministries Regarding the Death of 11-Year-Old Madeline Kara Neumann and Our Experience with Her Parents, Dale and Leilani.

"[The AMA 'admits' to medical mistakes, but nobody goes after that organization] We know that the doctors do the best they can with what they have and we do not condemn them. We would like the same consideration."

There is something important about the freedom of ideas (including religious ideas). There is intellectual value in allowing departure from the cultural norm (think: Galileo) and there is 'justice value' in not telling other people what to do with their lives, how to raise their children, etc.

But there is also social value in basic level of education, in training young people how to get by in the modern world, and in allowing our children to (*gasp*) reach an age where they can make their own choices.

The state of Wisconsin is exploring criminal charges. Good. I hope they they stick -- it sucks to throw the parents under wheel here, but it also sucks that an eleven year old girl died for no reason. It would be good to scare the hell out of the Church. I'm thinking of the Chruch in complicity/conspiracy in reckless homicide, and Tort damages.

Something tells the that the 'word of God' would change dramatically if it meant the Church had to start paying zillions in damages and in criminal defense fees every time their "faith" had an adverse affect on the health of a child.

Also, 1L Danielle M is *not* a religious zealot, but her interview at the Shark slipped through the cracks earlier this week, and I want to throw it out there. She's a cool lady and she has some insightful things to say. Check out the interview if you get a chance. If you read the comments below the video, you will discover that not one, but two of your fellow Boalt 1L's are from North Idaho. 

Lucky you!

Full post as published by Nuts & Boalts on March 29, 2008 (boomark / email).