The dangers of religious belief - Praying man let his daughter die

by Simon 15 Replies latest jw friends

  • Simon
    Simon

    Praying man let his daughter die

    Dale Neumann during his trial in Wausau Wisconsin, 28 July 2009 Dale Neumann faces up to 25 years in prison

    A US jury has found a man guilty of killing his sick 11-year-old daughter by praying for her recovery rather than seeking medical care.

    The man, Dale Neumann, told a court in the state of Wisconsin he believed God could heal his daughter.

    She died of a treatable disease - undiagnosed diabetes - at home in rural Wisconsin in March last year, as people surrounded her and prayed.

    Neumann's wife, Leilani Neumann, was convicted earlier this year.

    The couple, who were both convicted of second-degree reckless homicide, face up to 25 years in prison when they are sentenced in October.

    A lawyer representing Dale Neumann said he would appeal.

    'Faith healing'

    During the trial, medical experts told the court that Neumann's daughter could have survived if she had received treatment, including insulin and fluids, before she stopped breathing.

    On Thursday Neumann, who is 47 and studied in the past to be a Pentecostal minister, said he thought God would heal his daughter.

    "If I go to the doctor, I am putting the doctor before God," he said. "I am not believing what he said he would do."

    He also said he thought his daughter had had flu or a fever, and that he had not realised how ill she was.

    Neumann's lawyer said he had been convinced that his "faith healing" was working, and that he had committed no crime.

    The prosecution argued that Neumann had minimised his daughter's illness and that he had allowed her to die as a selfish act of faith.

    They said the girl should have been taken to hospital because she was unable to walk, talk, eat or drink.

    Instead, an ambulance was only called once the girl had stopped breathing.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8180116.stm

    Dumb, dumb, dumb - there should be things in place to protect people from religious NUTCASES who are basically morons.

  • stillajwexelder
    stillajwexelder

    There is nowt as dangerous as a fundamentalist whatever the religion

  • Billy the Ex-Bethelite
    Billy the Ex-Bethelite

    What a nutjob!

    A lawyer representing Dale Neumann said he would appeal... Neumann's lawyer said he had been convinced that his "faith healing" was working,

    So, why does this "man of faith" have a freakin' lawyer? Where's his faith in God when his butt's on the line? He wouldn't put "the doctor before God" for the survival of the child, but he will put the lawyer before God for his own interests? If the sick child is deprived of a doctor, he should be deprived of a lawyer.

    Doesn't he have faith that God would vindicate him and free him from prison? Hmm, guess not.

    Maybe he can work on his "faith healing" skills when he gets locked in the same cell with 300 lb. Bubba!

    B the X

  • choosing life
    choosing life

    "Selfish act of faith." Interesting way to put it.

    I can have a lawyer, but you can't have a doctor. I wonder if he would have noticed how sick HE was and went to the hospital if it was him dying?

  • Rabbit
    Rabbit

    A couple of more stories: http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/bible/179554/1/Wis-man-testifies-he-expected-God-to-heal-child

    Surprise - Surprise. Hopefully - this will cause other believers and 'faith' healers to actually stop and think! (that they don't want prison. THAT is reality even they understand)

  • BluesBrother
    BluesBrother
    Dumb, dumb, dumb - there should be things in place to protect people from religious NUTCASES who are basically morons.

    The number of people hurt by extreme religion is pretty small. How do you protect children from the stupidity of their parents?

    In the U K a tragic loss of life occurred when a father took his 3 yr old on a hike and walked on dangerous ground near a waterfall. They both drowned. The child apparently lost her life due to her father's carelessness.

    Poor decisions can affect us all and need have nothing to do with religion. BTW If the parents get 25 years then it would seem that laws are already in place.

  • AK - Jeff
    AK - Jeff

    In a way, many Jw's do the same thing don't they? Ignore serious health issues far longer than they should waiting on the new system to fix things?

    I knew of a family that 'considered' not getting their daughter the correct braces to improve her ankle/leg issues as a baby, because in 1971 the 'new system is just around the corner'. Thankfully they decided to get them. Good thing, for that 'baby' is now 40ish. And she can walk.

    Jeff

  • passwordprotected
    passwordprotected

    Very sad case and the photo of the guy standing with a grin shows up the sort of person we're dealing with. However, I think the title of this thread is deliberately skewed; it wasn't so much religious belief that led to the girl's death but blatant stupidity. And before people jump in with "they're both the same", of course they aren't. How many millions of religious parents - even those who believe in supernatural healing - don't sit praying while their child dies withouth proper medical care?

    As Blues Brother says;

    Poor decisions can affect us all and need have nothing to do with religion. BTW If the parents get 25 years then it would seem that laws are already in place.
  • WTWizard
    WTWizard

    People seem to put their faith in a God that couldn't care less about anyone but Himself. They trust the Bible, even though it lies. They trust religions that are nothing more than scams.

    I think I will stick with snake oil. At least that has a chance of doing something.

  • PEC
    PEC

    That picture of him grinning makes me sick, I hope he gets the 25 years.

    Philip

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