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Religious freedom vs. medical care
Adults who believe in faith healing and the power of prayer eschew medical care. That’s fine for them, but what about children in their care? Last year, 300 children died because their parents belonged to Christian sects that refuse a doctor’s treatment. Not long ago, an 11-year-old Wisconsin girl with treatable diabetes died because her parents insisted on withholding treatment and merely prayed for her. The case went to court and the parent spent six months in jail. That seems like a nod to exceptions for faith-based neglect and/or manslaughter.
This is a real gray area. Should freedom of religion extend to denying lifesaving care to minors?
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