Parents who believe in faith healing lose another

[YorkVol]

Already on probation for involuntary manslaughter following the death of one of their children in 2009, Catherine and Herbert Schaible lost another child last month when they refused to seek medical care for him. This was one of the terms of their probation and it seems one they never intended to keep.

Here are the key questions:

1. Is it right for the state to step in and force parents to seek medical care for their kids? At what point does it cross the line--i.e. if the child has a congenital heart condition, can you force the parents to get the child a heart transplant?

2. Should society selectively impose its will on certain religious groups when it doesn't do so for others? The Amish, for example, are not required to follow many state and federal laws that go against their religious beliefs, so why would the state force this family to go against their beliefs?

3. If you go back just a couple of generations, 7 of 9 kids surviving to age 3 was a pretty good percentage. Both of my grandmothers lost kids during either childbirth or to a childhood disease. Are we expecting too much now?

4. If they had taken the child to the doctor and he still died, would they be charged with anything?

Philadelphia parents who believe in faith healing jailed after another son's death | PennLive.com

Schaible baby's death is ruled a homicide - Philly.com

 

[Chris4Vols22]

Wow, that's a tough one. I don't think they should be charged with murder or manslaughter. However, that's pretty much child negligence. I just don't know. Would love to hear some opinions.

 

[therealUT]

Already on probation for involuntary manslaughter following the death of one of their children in 2009, Catherine and Herbert Schaible lost another child last month when they refused to seek medical care for him. This was one of the terms of their probation and it seems one they never intended to keep.

Here are the key questions:

1. Is it right for the state to step in and force parents to seek medical care for their kids? At what point does it cross the line--i.e. if the child has a congenital heart condition, can you force the parents to get the child a heart transplant?

2. Should society selectively impose its will on certain religious groups when it doesn't do so for others? The Amish, for example, are not required to follow many state and federal laws that go against their religious beliefs, so why would the state force this family to go against their beliefs?

3. If you go back just a couple of generations, 7 of 9 kids surviving to age 3 was a pretty good percentage. Both of my grandmothers lost kids during either childbirth or to a childhood disease. Are we expecting too much now?

4. If they had taken the child to the doctor and he still died, would they be charged with anything?

Philadelphia parents who believe in faith healing jailed after another son's death | PennLive.com

Schaible baby's death is ruled a homicide - Philly.com

I could see charging and convicting; I find it hard to justify taking any measures more than simply officially labeling them as "manslaughterers", though. They are not a threat to others in the society. The treatment of children in this manner is in good faith. And, unlike physical abuse and/or sexual abuse, reliance on "faith-healing" does not lead to adults who are sociopathic or have tendencies to do great violence upon others.

It's certainly sad for the children; but, that's about it.

 

[theutvolunteers]

Faith healing? Good grief.

 

[FLVOL_79]

Faith Hilling?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5mW9JGoRHM[/youtube]

 

[IBlvNTmWrk]

I could see charging and convicting; I find it hard to justify taking any measures more than simply officially labeling them as "manslaughterers", though. They are not a threat to others in the society. The treatment of children in this manner is in good faith. And, unlike physical abuse and/or sexual abuse, reliance on "faith-healing" does not lead to adults who are sociopathic or have tendencies to do great violence upon others.

It's certainly sad for the children; but, that's about it.

Well said, and I tend to agree... though they are in violation of the previous probation and that could create some issues depending on how hard prosecution wants to push it.

This is the part that confuses me...

In statements to police, the Schaibles said they did not seek medical help for their son because of their faith in God's power to heal.

The bible as I understand it doesn't stipulate that healing has to come directly from God. Even the apostles were able to perform miracles. I don't understand why any believer would refuse medical assistance.

I'm curious if anyone could provide any Bible reference to support these beliefs...

As members of the First Century Gospel Church, the Schaibles believe that trust in medicine and doctors is a sin.

The church pastor, Nelson Clark, told The Inquirer last month that the Schaible children died because of a "spiritual lack" on the part of the parents.

 

[VOLinFL_]

1. Right or wrong isn't really the question here, it's whether it's legal or not. However, to answer, I think the governments sole responsibility should be to protect the welfare of its people. If this was a preventable death, and several parties chose not take advantage of medical services for another party who needed and if had a true voice would most probably desire them to stay alive, yes it would be right for the government to step in and demand/provide healthcare .

2. Government and society should pose no sway over how any person chooses to live, to the point as long as their actions don't directly harm others, their property or their livelihood. Regardless of which ghost story people believe and therefore live their life in accordance to, the primal need to protect our own life and those of our children and loved ones should surpass superstitions. There is no need for ancient hope healing; in modern we have the technology and expertise to solve many health problems and alleviate others. To deny that option to your child, knowing it is the only REAL physical way to save them, is inhuman and should be treated as such by anyone who learns of the travesty.

3. Again, people have been blessed with an amazing brain, a mind that has allowed us over time to realize, figure and solve problems. With the healthcare and medical knowledge and power of THIS time, and of course the future, past statistics do nothing but show how much progress has been made. Expecting or accepting a reversing trend is not an option. There is no reason to return to such numbers.

4. No. No one has power over who lives and can't be saved, just the power to physically fight the injury/sickness. No success rate is perfect yet, though it is guaranteed this child would have had a MUCH greater chance of living.

 

[Gramps]

I do not understand were these people get these beliefs. One of the disciples was a physician.

 

[Burhead]

Faith Hilling?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5mW9JGoRHM[/youtube]

You got a like for that :hi: