I recently wrote about the conflict between child protection and the religious freedom of believers in faith healing. That issue has reared its ugly head again in the state of Washington.
Washington law currently denies the children of Christian Scientists equal protection under the law governing child abuse and neglect, and it grants a special exemption from criminal prosecution for abuse and neglect to that one specific religion and not to any others. Even if you supported religious exemptions in principle, there would be no excuse for the preferential treatment of one single religion. This law is clearly unconstitutional.
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State Senate bill 6295 was introduced by Sen. Mark Mullet (D) and three other Democratic senators on January 20, 2013, and was referred to the Committee on Human Services and Corrections. Its progress can be followed here.
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Religious shield laws that exempt members of faith-healing sects from child protection laws and from criminal prosecution for child neglect and manslaughter must be repealed. Adults have the right to reject treatment for themselves, but society has a duty to protect children from parents who would withhold lifesaving treatment and allow their children to die unnecessarily. Society’s duty is widely recognized.
Washington State’s Unconscionable, Unconstitutional Child Protection Law « Science-Based Medicine
Edited 2/28/2013 to add: For clarification purposes, SB 6295 would eliminate an exemption in Washington state law that allows Christian Scientists to treat their children with prayer or faith-healing methods instead of traditional medicine. Members of other religious group are not afforded this exemption. SB 6295 seeks to remedy that. As highlighted by me, the article presentation was not clear in that matter.
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