The following is a re-post:
RC> However, what of the parents whose religious beliefs deny
RC> the utility of moderm medicine and trust only to prayer
RC> while ignoring the scriptural admonition the God helps
RC> those who help themselves? What of the children who die
RC> of untreated diseases such as meningitis or diabetes?
1) There is NO Scriptural admonition that says "God helps
   those who help themselves"... Surprise!
2) Anyone, who wants to claim a "healing" of any disease
   is down-right deluded if they don't go to a doctor to
   confirm that healing... And they are crazy if they
   stop treatment or refuse medication until such time
   as they DO receive medical confirmation that they
   are free & clear of their disease(s). Further, it is
   BOTH crazy AND criminal to do the above to a child!
All that said, I will pray for the LORD to heal me or to give my
doctors wisdom/guidance when I am being treated. The past two
years I've been in the hospital several times & have undergone 3
surgeries -- not for "lack of faith" or "sin"... but because I
needed medical help... I sought the help & am alive and glad of
it. If any nutcase with a skewed view of the Scriptures wants to
take me on, I would be more than happy to set them straight about
their crazy and dangerous views; which, IMHO, is actually an
insult to God -- because they are putting the LORD to the test,
something expressly forbidden in the Scriptures!
RC> Has the state no resposibility to those children?
When a child is denied proper care and it puts their life in
jeopardy, it becomes a criminal act. Better the state should
intervene on a case of neglect rather than having the tragedy of
prosecuting for a murder later. It is a touchy issue, especially
where "religion" is concerned -- and one we all must walk a
tightrope on as we balance between people's rights, the law,
parental rights, and religious rights...
 [ Shoshona Bieman, Sysop: Shofar BBS  @  714-838-3837 ]
 [  Such a *NICE* Messianic Jewish, conservative Gal!  ]
 [ California "Got Ilk?" Contingent _ Fido @ 1:103/505 ]
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