When prayer becomes neglect

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BY BOB KASARDA
bkasarda@nwitimes.com
219.548.4345 | Monday, June 16, 2008 | (13 comment(s))

Recent criminal cases in Wisconsin and Oregon have drawn attention to the question of how long parents should be allowed to rely on prayer over medicine when their children become ill.

Parents in each of the cases are charged with failing to seek medical care in enough time to save the lives of their children.

Lawmakers in Indiana have framed the local discussion somewhat by approving defenses against criminal prosecution for neglect and nonsupport in cases involving "legitimate practice of religious belief," Porter County Prosecutor Brian Gensel said.

Yet parents have been prosecuted for reckless homicide when children have died as a result of the lack of medical attention, he said.

Child advocates in Indiana and Illinois also have the green light to step in with civil action when it becomes known that a child's health or life is in serious jeopardy.

Investigators with the Indiana Department of Child Services turn over any evidence they gather to county juvenile court magistrates, who then decide whether the risk is great enough to order medical care, or in extreme cases remove the child from the home, according to DCS attorney and former Porter County Juvenile Court Magistrate John Shanahan.

Shanahan said he can remember just one instance during his 23 years of experience when Porter County stepped in to order care.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services also investigates medical neglect claims, and if warranted takes action to protect children without considering the rationale of the person responsible for the neglect, said Kendall Marlowe, deputy director of the office of communication.

At least four children have died in Indiana during the past decade and at least two in Illinois since the early 1980s because of reliance on faith healing beliefs, according to Rita Swan, president of Children's Healthcare, a national organization that monitors faith-based neglect of children.

While she is not in favor of states stepping in for trivial health matters involving children, Swan said her organization seeks to do away with all exemptions from criminal prosecution when children are at risk of harm or death as a result of religion-based medical neglect.

"I say the life and health of a child is a right," she said.

The issue is personal for Swan, who watched her 16-month-old son, Matthew, die in 1977 of highly treatable and preventable spinal meningitis as a result of the fact she and her husband relied on spiritual treatments as members of the Christian Science church.

While now blaming those types of beliefs on fear and ignorance, she said it's a tough place for parents when they are told the spiritual help in which they believe will be lost if they seek medical care.

"It's a Catch-22," she said. "It's a very frightening decision."

Dave Horn, a spokesman for the Christian Science church in Indiana, which has groups in Valparaiso, Highland and Michigan City, said members are not given the type of ultimatum described by Swan.

The church is one of choice and there are no prohibitions against the use of health care, he said.

"Each believer can do what they want," he said.

Almost all members, however, have had an experience that has convinced them of the healing powers of faith, Horn said. The church stresses this belief and bases it on Jesus' teaching that his followers will be able to do what he did.

The Children's Healthcare Web site -- childrenshealthcare.org -- lists 17 church denominations that it claims have let children die since 1980 because of religious beliefs against health care.

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RE Judas wrote on Jun 16, 2008 11:52 PM:

" It's people like you that need to keep your mouths shut! The parents can pray all they want, but when it comes to the health and well-being of a child, that's a different story. I bet if the tables were turned, they'd be dialing 911 for medical help. And by the way, anything that has been a break-through in the medical field is all God's doing. I believe he gave man the ability to come up with what they have through him. He gave doctors the ideas in his own way...but it's up to man how they will use it to heal mankind!! "

Landlord to ME wrote on Jun 16, 2008 4:40 PM:

" It's not to late ME Jesus loves and will forgive you. All you have to do is believe and have faith. But I also would appreciate a doctor to care for my children. A doctor who has the GOD given ability to diagnose and treat their affliction. "

A Sign wrote on Jun 16, 2008 2:08 PM:

" There was once a very religious woman who lived a home that was prone to flooding. She felt with all of her heart that God was going to do something great for her to see and rescue her from the worst flood that was supposed to happen that weekend. So, when the neighbors warned her it was time to leave, she remained behind - God was going to do something great. She moved up to the second floor of her house when the waters came in; then men on a boat tried to get her to leave, but she stayed.
Finally, she was sitting on the very edge of her roof - brave as could be - a helicopter tried to rescue her from her rooftop. But, she stayed, remaining true to her faith.
A few minutes later she was in heaven and pretty annoyed that she had died. She went up to God and said "what happened? I thought you were going to do something great?"
He replied, "Lady, I sent you the neighbors, a boat and even a helicopter...." "

Foolish Traditions wrote on Jun 16, 2008 1:51 PM:

" Regardless of one's religious traditions, no one has the right to deny medical treatment to a minor. To do so is ungodly and cannot be justified on religious grounds. The State has every right to intervene to protect the life of the minor. Religious extremists, like the polygamists in Texas who think their religious traditions justify sexual intercourse with minors are breaking the laws of the land and are comitting acts which are an abomination in the eyes of God, just like abortion. The difference is that abortion is legal; polygamy is not, nor is refusing treatment on the basis of religious traditions not supported by Scripture. "

kathy wrote on Jun 16, 2008 12:58 PM:

" Even in the Bible, physicians were used for healing. I am a Christian, I believe in the power of prayer. I also know when antibiotics and modern medicine are appropriate. These people who refuse to utilize proper care for their children (or themselves) are foolish. Come out of the dark ages! Use common sense, people!!! "

Prayer doesnt work wrote on Jun 16, 2008 12:19 PM:

" If prayer actually works, why hasn't any amptutee's ever grown a limb back ?? Do you think that amputee's don't pray? Never in the history of man, has an amputee grown a limb back. Does that mean that God hates amputees? Face it folks, Prayer doesn't work..Go the the hospital.
:) "

STEELMAN wrote on Jun 16, 2008 11:24 AM:

" HEY JUDAS WAKE UP!!! THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE. ITS NOT IN THE CONSTITUTION, OR THE BILL OF RIGHTS. YOU NEED TO LEARN TO READ AND UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE READING! AND FREEDOM OF RELIGON DOES NOT REPEAT DOES NOT INCLUDE CHILD ABUSE. AND WITH HOLDING THE MEDICAL HELP THAT GOD HAS PROVIDED IS A FORM OF CHILD ABUSE. "

re CJ Dunnaway wrote on Jun 16, 2008 10:47 AM:

" Great point! I whole heartily agree. Let make cretin the child is unharmed before birth then we can kill the child later, huh? Just doesn’t make sense. "

CJ Dunnaway wrote on Jun 16, 2008 10:31 AM:

" I’ll never understand how Americans can rail against abortion because innocent babies are being murdered while at the same time condone parents refusing medical treatment for their children based on religious beliefs - especially when the child’s life is endangered. It’s a heinous act of murder to kill an unborn fetus but perfectly fine to kill a fully developed child. Murder is evil. "

Re Me wrote on Jun 16, 2008 9:52 AM:

" I feel sorry for u when you die. The power of prayer IS proven to work, but at the same time if somebody (of any age) needs medical attention people relying on prayer need to realize God gave us all of the advances we have in medicine. "

health care prof wrote on Jun 16, 2008 8:24 AM:

" Sometimes, children in hospitals need blood transfusions, but parents refuse it because of religious beliefs. The hospital then routinely will go to court to get a court order for the tansfusion. "

Judas wrote on Jun 16, 2008 7:03 AM:

" What part of freedom of religion and separation of church and state don't you understand? Sorry you can't have it both ways people. Enough said! "

Me wrote on Jun 16, 2008 5:50 AM:

" Prayer becomes neglect the moment a parent expects a lead charter from a novel to cure their child. "

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