Trials for Parents Who Chose Faith Over Medicine - NYTimes

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The things some people do (or don't do) in the name of religion beggars belief.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/21/us/21faith.html?_r=2&hp

... and people wonder why I'm so down on religion ...

Is scientology a religion?

Depends on one's definition of a religion and whether or not it can include cults. Not to say that scientology is necessarily a cult, but it is viewed by many to be a cult and not a religion while other cosider it a religion. Some of those who consider scientology to be a cult also deem it to be a religion because a cult is a subset of religion. It really depends on how one defines a religion.

Praying is cheaper than going to the doctor.

So is suicide, which works much quicker than prayer.

True.

yes, scientology is considered a religion in the usa.

I was raised by a religious parent, but when I was really sick she would take me to the doctor. And we didn't have a lot of money.
Usually people pray while the very ill person is in hospital. I remember being in church services where we all prayed for people from the church that were fighting cancer in hospital.

I think this sort of thing is people confusing magic with faith. In magic, the genie grants whatever you wish, in faith, god doesn't jump when we crap the whip. I use prayer for various problems, but I don't automatically expect a result, that's up to god.

there are many religious people that see great importance in medicine.

Religion has many benefits.
Religion has many drawbacks.

This is a sad, sad example of the drawbacks.

So god is simply a magician who doesn't do magic tricks to order? That could also be taken as an indication of his/her/its non-existence.

That is why is included the word some. Those who do the whole non-medicine thing are gradually eliminating themselves from the gene-pool either directly or unfortunately by proxy through their children. Gullibility and stupidity are not conducive to survival.

Thankfully this practice is limited to only a tiny subset of religions. Heck even the Amish, who reject modern conveniences in every other area of life, will take one of their own to the hospital without the slightest hesitation.

I have a feeling that Christian fundamentalism is on it's way out, most of it's members are very old. Moderate Christianity will stick around for much longer because it doesn't freak out every time there's some scientific discovery.

if god is real why can't he strike down the parents and let them die rather than allowing the children to suffer?

parents that use 'faith healing' and nothing else are evil, i'm not sure if there's even a plausible argument that can defend it.

here's something you could argue... a couple has a child they don't want but found out before they could abort or their religion prohibits abortion so they're screwed anyway, they can't kill the child so what do they do? allow the child to become sic and die from something pety that can be cured within hours of treatment.

i'm not sure if i've aid this but i'll say it regardless. if something's stated in the bible it shouldn't be taken from a literal point of view. jesus may have healed a lot of people but who knows if he used herbs or medicines? who knows if he spoke to a guy and asked him to pretend to be cripled?

these guys are putting their children in great danger and for what? nothing.

i would be glad if the parents went to prison and if the laws changed to refuse faith healing as the only option, and the parents that do should be punished.