Via CNN:
He probably had a congenital condition that constricted his urinary tract where the bladder empties into the urethra, and the condition of his organs indicates that he had multiple blockages during his life, said Dr. Clifford Nelson, deputy state medical examiner for Clackamas County.
“You just build up so much urea in your bloodstream that it begins to poison your organs, and the heart is particularly susceptible,” Nelson said.
Nelson said a catheter would have saved the boy’s life. If the condition had been dealt with earlier, a urologist could easily have removed the blockage and avoided the kidney damage that came with the repeated illnesses, Nelson said.
Benton said a board member of the Followers of Christ church contacted the authorities after Beagley died at his family’s home. The teen had been sick about a week, and church members and his family had gathered to pray Sunday when his condition worsened, Benton said.
OK, the lad may have been 16 and it may have been lawful for him to refuse treatment, but given that this was a chronic condition that predated his ability to make that decision lawfully, he was preconditioned (brainwashed) into believing that a myth would make him well.
This is sick, unethical, immoral, and criminal. If freedom of speech has to have boundaries so then too does freedom of religion, particularly to protect those who are least able to protect themselves, children and the elderly.
Even Atheists, who according to those of faith lack a “moral compass”, can see that this is wrong. Why can’t the believers?
Sad sad story but similar ones seem to appear in the media fairly frequently.
I think the vast majority of people that have religious beliefs will think the above is appalling and counts as child abuse/neglect so saying why can’t the believers see it is wrong is an unfair generalisation.
I realise the US has far more evangelicals/fundamentalist Christians than the most other western countries though so understand you’re probably more affected by it than we in Europe…
Lloyd, we’re going to have to agree to disagree here. In honor of George Carlin, I’ll leave the speaking about this to him…
George Carlin on Religion
by PigLips
You don’t agree that saying all religious people think that the actions of the parents above were valid and lawful is a wild generalisation? Really?
You’re right, they’re all the same and share identical opinions on all subjects and stating as such is the best way to have an adult conversation with people.
I agree, we disagree.
It so happens I believe in individuals and their abilities to think and reason.
If someone finds the story commented in the entry horrible, that’s because they’re thinking, feeling, well developed humans.
And, I would say if that person happens to be religious, they’re likely capable of judging the situation in spite of their religion – not because of it.