Strollerderby

"Is It Neglect To Deny Surgery For Religious Reasons?"

No, but it's pure stupidity.

But once you've accepted that the invisible man and his zombie son rule the world I guess anything is fair game.

It is a very tough call and I'm not sure how I feel about it. There was a case in Wisconin that a diabetic child died because the parent's religious organization was "praying" for his recovery rather than treating him with insulin.  Those parents are facing charges.  And there are several other cases all over the US just like that one. So where should the line be drawn?  At invasive surgery?  At a blood transfusion? At a simple pill or shot?  I just don't know...

what is the point to going to doctor, then?  

Why can't they allow for the fact that these surgeons and the medicine/technology behind them are heaven sent?  This is utterly ridiculous.  I didn't think that the Amish relied on miracles to this extent....and that is what it would take.  

I just found out my 2 year old has a heart defect (not life threatening for the time being) and while I am not overjoyed that she needs open heart surgery, there is no question that she is getting it because it is the only thing that can fix it.  These surgeons do this ALL THE TIME. Once it is fixed, it will never be an issue again.  I don't think God or Jesus would want to let a child die in vain.

I'm surprised to find myself so judgmental about this.  If it were Christian Scientist they I'd say yes it's wrong.  Because the family is Amish I'm having a hard time deciding that they're wrong.

I grew up in an Amish area so I know how cut off from modernism the families usually are.  I have to wonder if they really know what modern medicine is capable of or if their fears of mostly of the unknown.

I would have to be the judge, that's all I know.

There is no way I will EVER understand how someone would rather lose their own child than go against an arbitrary set of rules. I don't get religion, and I really don't get religious extremism. So the child has no right to appropriate medical care because of his parents questionable beliefs? I hope they do take the child from them. It would be better than his death.

In this country you are allowed to believe whatever you believe, but you are not allowed to hurt anyone else.  If it were one of the parents who was refusing life-saving surgery for religious reasons, I would be more inclined to shrug my shoulders and say, "To each his own."  But since a baby is too young to make this decision for himself, the answer seems completely obvious to me.  

It seems ironic to me that should this kid live to be 16, his parents will send him off on Rumspringa - and he will have to choose whether or not to live and Amish life.  Give him a chance to make it that far.

As a Christian Science parent I have to point out that in our family it isn't a matter of denying medical care.   Rather we have seen examples in our own family and friends as well that healing is the right and proper outcome of any attack on my health or the health of my child.  My church does not require anyone to accept or deny medical care.

This might seem odd if you are unfamilar with Christain healing, but it is faster and more complete than any medical efforts.  As a parent I want to offer my child the fastest most effective pain relief and healing possible.  In my experiance that is available through prayer.  If for whatever reason the needed healing wasn't taking place,  like any reasonable parent,  I would look to other options.

I just want to be clear prayer does result in healing.  Not -medical does not mean passive.