Save children from religious motivated medical neglect. Children have a right to live.

The Issue

Children born into the Followers of Christ church in Idaho are dying. Their only medical care is prayer and anointing with olive oil. Their deaths are often prolonged, painful, and easily preventable. Children are permitted to die as a way to show the congregation how strong the faith of the parent is. To seek medical help is perceived to show weakness and is therefore not tolerated. 

Adults simply stand by and watch until the last breath is taken.

I am only one of the many survivors who suffered from abuse and neglect at the hands of faith healing parents. I personally have attended over 100 funerals for members of the Followers, about one quarter of the dead are children. The picture of the baby on the petition is only one of the dead. He is the first of four children to be buried by my aunt and uncle. He was stillborn. His mother never received any type of prenatal care. 

Every day that the religious shield laws remain in the law books means another child will die. Help me save the kids.

 

avatar of the starter
Linda MartinPetition StarterI was a victim of religious child abuse. Child abuse casts a shadow over a lifetime. Children need to be protected from harmful religious practices until they are 18 and old enough to choose for themselves. This type of abuse can affect a family for generations.
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This petition had 1,280 supporters

The Issue

Children born into the Followers of Christ church in Idaho are dying. Their only medical care is prayer and anointing with olive oil. Their deaths are often prolonged, painful, and easily preventable. Children are permitted to die as a way to show the congregation how strong the faith of the parent is. To seek medical help is perceived to show weakness and is therefore not tolerated. 

Adults simply stand by and watch until the last breath is taken.

I am only one of the many survivors who suffered from abuse and neglect at the hands of faith healing parents. I personally have attended over 100 funerals for members of the Followers, about one quarter of the dead are children. The picture of the baby on the petition is only one of the dead. He is the first of four children to be buried by my aunt and uncle. He was stillborn. His mother never received any type of prenatal care. 

Every day that the religious shield laws remain in the law books means another child will die. Help me save the kids.

 

avatar of the starter
Linda MartinPetition StarterI was a victim of religious child abuse. Child abuse casts a shadow over a lifetime. Children need to be protected from harmful religious practices until they are 18 and old enough to choose for themselves. This type of abuse can affect a family for generations.
Media inquiries

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Petition created on November 12, 2013