It’s not a theory, it’s a fact that sometimes your body can’t fix itself of all problems. If you have a broken leg, you go to the doctor and get a cast. No amount of alternative medicine or faith healing can miraculously cure someone of an cancer alone. If they could, I’m sure we’d see much more widespread use of such practices. However, it’s my opinion that people have a right to seek out whatever treatment they deem fit. (Whether or not it actually helps.) That being said, I have a big, BIG issue when parents feel 100% confident that they can cure their children’s’ ailments.CBS has a story about a couple who had a son. Their son had a urinary tract infection. What did they do to treat their 16-year-old son? Prayer and oils. They also had a granddaughter who also died under very similar circumstances. They were found guilty, but probably won’t get much jail time.

They Can’t Make A Good Choice
As an adult, you’re free to  make all sorts of choices for yourself, including medical ones. If you’re a part of a religious group who doesn’t believe in standard medical options and choose to ‘pray the sick away,’ then by all means, go for it. You’re an adult. You have the right to make whatever irrational educated choice you see fit.

Kids though, don’t really have that option, do they? I have a very hard time with stories like the above, because the kids died without being able to make and educated choice. The question then, should there be stricter laws that state that even if one’s beliefs include things like ‘faith healing,’ one should still be required to also use standard medical treatment in-tandem?

It’s A Harder Issue Than It Looks
A part of me says that goes back to a key Wiccan rule, “Do what you want, but harm none.” Of course, the parents in the story obviously hurt someone, their own kin. Yet, should people still be able to do this anyways? Should they still be allowed to be so ignorant that the end up killing themselves? We have laws against suicide already, so maybe that’s already covered?

Did the couple just get a slap on the wrist in my opinion? Yes and no. On the one hand, I think they should spend a bit more time in jail. On the other though, as unfortunate as it is, maybe losing their granddaughter and now their son will show people that, yes, you’re free to faith heal all you want to, but you may also want to be a bit more intelligent, and also go see a doctor, too.