Ask an Atheist: Religious child abuse in Idaho

Today on FFRF's "Ask an Atheist," FFRF State Policy Manager Ryan Dudley and Staff Attorney Chris Line discuss a paper recently published by Guido Giuntini that has examined religious exemption laws to child neglect in Idaho. Linda Martin, a key contributor to the paper joins the show to discuss her first-hand experiences with the Followers of Christ, a group that practices faith-healing on children.

[MaggieTrudeau]

I live in idaho. This sort of thing is common and a nightmare. Thank you for publishing it. And for this presentation.

[namzarf]

That the christians responsible for the deaths of their children then call themselves "pro-life" angers me endlessly. How do they reconcile this hypocrisy?
Excellent show, thanks.

[janinecarson]

I lived in Idaho for many years and I knew immediately upon reading the headline which sect you were talking about. It's a sick bunch.

[somersetcace]

7:07 The strange thing to me about that, is that if you're raised in an environment that rejects medical care for prayer and then you turn 18 and seek medical care anyway, why would you stay with that religion? Obviously you disagree with it, or you wouldn't be seeking medical care as soon as you were legally able. Furthermore, why would you then deny your children medical care the way you were? It seems like more than just hypocrisy. It's lunacy.

[neilforbes]

Idaho should be *stripped of its statehood* for allowing such an *atrocity* as this denial of proper care of children because of religious beliefs. Religion is *NEVER* a valid reason for *ANYTHING!*

[debj]

Thank you for the important work you do.

[kevinsturges]

My first question is: how large is this Christian community group? Is it just a small percentage of the population of Idaho?

[maryroberts]

How can they get medical care for themselves and their animals and not for the children? Monsters.

[jmdesmarais]

The only way we'll ever change this if we show up to the polls and vote in people that are progressive secular thinkers. I live in Washington State and I'm disgusted we still allow this.

[RandallMarvin-sl]

I was raised in the followers of christ church in oregon city. I saw horrible suffering and unnecicary deaths of children and adults. For instance two young girls Rita and April Hickman. They were about 6 and seven. The had meningites. Their neighbors called the police because they could hear the girls screaming. The police investgated and said there was nothing they could do because the parents had freedom of religion. Both girls died.

[HunderbarDachs]

There is a branch of this church in Oregon City, just south of Portland. A child dies every few years, but the church goes on. I believe the parents were convicted for one of the more recent deaths.

[laylaali]

What horrible thing to do I don’t how they can live with themselves

[josephbelisle]

I subscribe to the belief that all of our constitutions should guarantee the rights of all citizens as long as those rights don't interfere with the rights of any other human being. And more so we need to treat others as they would like to be treated. These two beliefs show that this religious rights of parents to harm children are false. They are harming others and denying them the treatment they would like for themselves. It is immoral in every sense and unconstitutional.

[shirleysmith]

Very Sad these people's claimed to be Christian Jesus gave us two commandments to Love Our Heavenly Father with our whole heart and mind and to Love Others as we Love Ourselves Sad these people's were Twisted with not helping their own children and letting them suffer with their illness.😢😢Very Sad for all the victims Twisted Teaching 😢😢

[cerberaodollam]

I don't get it. I didn't receive medical attention as a kid either. Grew up to be a pretty healthy adult. I guess the inbreeding is a factor, but still... itt sounds like something is very wrong down there.

[Emanuel_careyWX-WRI]

I just bought a copy of Woe to the women the Bible tells me so, and Brian whoever you are it’s in good hands. Keep the non-faith.