A 16-year-old boy whose parents rely on prayer instead of medical care has died following an illness marked by stomach pains and shortness of breath, authorities said.
Officers and a deputy medical examiner were called to the family's house about an hour after the boy's death late Tuesday afternoon, said Sgt. Lynne Benton of the Gladstone Police Department. Gladstone is located south of Portland.
Benton said the boy was surrounded by family when he died and a board member of the Followers of Christ church contacted the authorities.
The boy got sick about a week ago and — like all members of the religious order — did not receive medical attention. His condition worsened Sunday and members of the church gathered for prayer, Benton said.
66 comments
It makes me want to vomit, but you know that every member of the religious order who witnessed this boy's death probably didn't experience the slightest flagging of faith. Instead, their faiths were strengthened.
The result of these kinds of tragedies, is always that prayers are clearly proven to be futile and all ends in failure, but the faithful see it as somehow supporting their beliefs! It's a vicious and insane cycle that refuses to cease.
When will people finally realize that the empire wears no clothes?!
@Osiris: Yeah, when doctors repair someone, it's a miracle, when the family fails to treat someone, it's because God had a different plan that required them to be in Heaven.
These people are so far out of touch with reality it's sad.
Benton said the boy was surrounded by family when he died...
He should have been surrounded by f***ing doctors.
This isn't the first child these c***suckers have killed. There was a story about a kid with diabetes this church murdered by refusing to get him medical attention. All that kid needed was some insulin; all the latest victim needed was a routine procedure to unblock part of his urinary tract.
When I read stuff like this and I remember other fundie a**holes telling me I can't be moral because I don't believe in Jehovah I want to scream. Is there any member of this "church" who can justify to me how letting children die in horrible agony is more moral than my personal beliefs?
Sometimes I wish there really was a Hell so I could watch you rotten motherf***ers burn in it.
Speaking as a Christian, I'm reminded of the story of the guy in the flood who drowns after turning down a truck, a boat, and a helicopter for assistance, declaring: "The Lord will provide." He gets to Heaven, asks God why He didn't save him, and God says: "I sent you a truck, a boat, and a helicopter. What more do you want?"
The poor kid probably had appendicitis or something. Why expect a miracle to cure things that a doctor could fix?
the extreme fundie end of the Xian market say only proper "families" (mom, dad, kids) should bring up kids.
They also say that kids shouldn't be allowed to decide on treatment without parental consent.
Thus it is demonstrated.
For fuck sake, not again.
Seriously, prayer is not going to fuckin' help a sick person. Unless you live in lalaland -_-
This was later on in the article
"In March, the boy's 15-month-old cousin, Ava Worthington, died at home from bronchial pneumonia and a blood infection. Her parents, Carl and Raylene Worthington, also failed to contact a doctor and are awaiting trial on criminal charges in her death."
As god would say (but obviously he hasn't bothered and assumed it's obvious): 'if you get sick, you get help, don't wait for ME to help'
@RandomChristian: You beat me to it.
Its not a darwin. The child has no say in his own death. Its stupidity of parents, not stupidity of the deceased.
Its idiocy, but atleast they walk the walk.
In the (marginal) defense of the kid and his family, under Oregon state law, he's old enough to refuse medical treatment if he so desires... which he did.
As memory serves, after you hit 15, you can make your own decisions regarding medical treatment or the lack thereof.
Call it murder anyone? Call it human sacrifice to a stupid sect of fundies?
Sorry. I truly believe that these parents killed their son, and they and all who were aware that he was being denied help, and who did not report the matter to the proper autorities should stand trial. Not do I think it is manslaughter. It is plain murder. Fundyism claims another life.
His refulsal to accept treatment, assuming it is true, can be placed at the door of those who indoctrinated him. Nor does his refusal exonerate parents from saving the life of their son.
Here in France is it a criminal offence to fail to render proper help and assistance to those in danger.
They say athiests and liberals murder 'babies' [read: clumps of cells] when their beliefs kill actual born and grown people?
What do you say to that, O ye conservative wingnuts?
.:: deafening silence ::.
Those who do dot survive the plagues die, and those who do survive the plague join their cult.
Truly these yellow turban wearers are a threat to the empire.
-Frank
Poor kid. Those parents should have their other kids 9if they have them) taken away from them- they are not fit parents at all.
To be deluded by fairy tales which result in your child's death? To gamble your child's life on a belief, amere vague hope with no viable support or evidence other than 'your gut feeling' like that? You are not fit to even look at children let alone have any.
they should all be charged with murder. This is one of the most revolting things I've ever read.
@Xotan: It doesn't matter if he refused treatment. He was 16 and as such doesn't have a say in the matter. I recall when I was 17 I was in a car crash and had to be taken to the hospital against my will (I was fine) because my parents wanted me to go and until you are 18 in the USA those sort of decisions fall on your legal guardians' shoulders.
"A 16-year-old boy whose parents rely on prayer instead of medical care has died following an illness marked by stomach pains and shortness of breath, authorities said."
Did the authorities say this before or after they arrested the fuckwit parents for child abuse and manslaughter?
"The boy got sick about a week ago and like all members of the religious order did not receive medical attention. His condition worsened Sunday and members of the church gathered for prayer, Benton said."
Gathered for prayer? You couldn't do that in a fucking hospital room ? Stupid fuckers. Your "prayer" bullshit does not fucking work as evidenced by the dead teen you now have to bury.
Someone tell me they arrested the whole lot of them.
Nutz, Hi!
It was said earlier in the thread that at 16 in Oregon he was entitled to refuse treatment. I find it odd, and I would be more inclined to agree with you.
But that is the point that I was referencing in my response.
All that painful stupidity, just to avoid paying the doctor bill.
I can't help wondering if they would be doing that if there was actually a good public healthcare program in place.
Child abuse. Parents have the responsibility to protect their children from harm, regardless of what else they believe in. The state also has this responsibility.
Both are to blame tbh. The parents for being dimwits, and state for not intervening.
Gods are manmade constructs which are used as an "external" source of validation for actions and beliefs which otherwise would recieve no positive feedback. Im a fairly superstitious fellow, but atleast I know its more related to obsessive compulsive tendancies than to any kind of spiritual or metaphysical input. I do personally try to "tough out" illness but I definitely didnt have any qualms about getting some antibiotics when my hand was turning gangrenous from a knife wound. No miracle has ever been committed, even if there were an all powerful god, it would not commit miracles. I dont think the man who invented chess changed the rules every time he was about to lose a rook. nevermind a fucking pawn.
"Why is it that when you hear about one of these situations, it's always a kid? You never hear about any of the adults dying like this."
Well said, Ceiling Cat. Thank you.
Child abuse, i say.
Bloody zealots.
Confused?
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