A progressive political blog that highlights the infringement of religion upon today’s government.

Dale and Leilani Neumann, the parents who prayed over their 11 year old daughter while she died from untreated diabetes, will be charged with second-degree reckless homicide. This ends the speculation on how the tragic and easily prevented death would be handled. Second-degree reckless homicide carries a maximum sentence of 25 years though I would expect that even if convicted the sentence will be reduced.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out but I made my feelings clear earlier this month when I stated that these parents are as much responsible for their daughter’s death as the woman who stabbed her “possessed child”. Regardless of the intent, both little girls are dead due to the actions of their parents.

I wrote this morning about the hidden dangers of homeopathy. Faith based healing is another issue that can sound harmless on the surface yet really results in great damage. The death of Madeline Neumann is hardly unique. There are many other children who have died in the recent years due to their parents’ religion.

On March 2nd Ava Worthington, a 15 month old infant, died of an easily treated infection. Her parents have also been charged with manslaughter and criminal mistreatment. Ava and Madeline are only two of the most recent deaths caused by fundamentalist beliefs.

While I would never support any restrictions on freedom of/from religion it is important that we hold those who allow the deaths of children accountable. It is good that Madeline’s parents are facing charges. Hopefully this case will cause others to think twice before they allow their children to die.

William ~ WWJV4.com

Hope you all are having a great weekend.  Enjoy this funny video by Edward Current that was added yesterday lampooning creationism and the movie Expelled.  Thanks to PZ Meyers for the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXf8COiHMuM

William Ludwig ~ WWJV4.com

I found this list of 24 common misconceptions and creationist myths by PvM Panda’s Thumb where it was reposted from Michael Le Page at New Scientist. I highly recommend both for anyone interested in good science.
Shared misconceptions:

Everything is an adaptation produced by natural selection
Natural selection is the only means of evolution
Natural selection leads to [...]

If anyone was wondering why there is so much anger against fundamentalist Christianity here is your answer. An Illinois woman stabbed her 6 year old daughter to death because she believed that her daughter had been possessed by a demon. Next to the child’s body were found an image of Jesus, May and Joseph. According [...]

Gotta Love the Onion
There has been a growing debate between the pro-science crowd and the makers of the creationist propaganda film “Expelled” (The one with Ben Stein). Of course I’m referring to debate in a very loose manner as its impossible to actually have a debate when the anti-science position is represented by clowns [...]