Yesterday, a 16 year old boy in Oregon City died as a result of complications from a simple blockage in his urinary tract. Because of the blockage, he was unable to urinate, and he died from the buildup of toxins in his urine.

A medical examiner determined a simple, out-patient, medical procedure would have cleared up the blockage and saved his life. Because he is a member of the Followers of Christ Church, he and his parents declined any type of medical help. Instead, 60 members of the church gathered around him in group faith healing through prayer.

Last month, a 15 month old girl from the same church died from pneumonia when her parents refused medical care. They insisted that prayer alone would heal her. Doctors maintain that simple antibiotics would have cleared up her pneumonia.

There are dozens of children buried in the church's cemetery since 1950. In a study done in '98, reporters concluded 21 of the children would have survived through simple medical practices.

This begs the question: Should state protective services intervene in the church or should it observe the freedom of religion clause in our government and just stay away?

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/orego...l=7&thispage=1