Child dies due to faith healing; parents get 6 months of jail time

**Meneldil** · 11-07-2009, 11:15

Originally Posted by miotas

They watched their child die slowly, suffering excruciating pain, without seeking medical treatment. Hardly the actions of a sane mind. I believe they should be in a mental institution.

Well, that's where the double standard comes into play.
If you do something crazy because you think you're God, Napoléon, Ceasar or a Jupiterian, you go to a mental institution.
If you do something crazy because of your religion, people will say it's a cultural thingy, and that the responsible shouldn't be punished in an overly harsh way. Except if he's muslim because those have quite a - well deserved IMO - bad reputation at the moment.

**KukriKhan** · 11-07-2009, 15:05

I don't understand this inconsistency: If you believe The Lord will heal your kid through prayer alone, why would you plead anything in a court of law? Would you not stand mute, offer no defense, and pray The Lord to deliver you from teh evil court?

**Kralizec** · 11-07-2009, 17:40

Originally Posted by Meneldil

Well, that's where the double standard comes into play.
If you do something crazy because you think you're God, Napoléon, Ceasar or a Jupiterian, you go to a mental institution.
If you do something crazy because of your religion, people will say it's a cultural thingy, and that the responsible shouldn't be punished in an overly harsh way. Except if he's muslim because those have quite a - well deserved IMO - bad reputation at the moment.

Precisely.

I don't care if people are religious as long as they don't do something harmful to others because of it. I don't think that it would do any good to lock these two away for decades, as I assume they didn't mean for this to happen and are sad themselves, but that they don't get forced into some sort of therapy is mind boggling.

Wether this is because of the judge is an outspoken christian too - I think that a lot of atheists would also hesistate before branding this sort of "divine interventionism" a disorder, sadly.

**HoreTore** · 11-07-2009, 19:19

Originally Posted by Kralizec

I don't care if people are religious as long as they don't do something harmful to others because of it. I don't think that it would do any good to lock these two away for decades, as I assume they didn't mean for this to happen and are sad themselves, but that they don't get forced into some sort of therapy is mind boggling.

Alright then, answer me this:

I have a huge fight with my wife of 15 years, the mother of my 3 kids. She's cheating, and the marriage is likely to end. I spend the evening drinking and crying. In the middle of the night, drunk as hell, I cannot stand being alone anymore, I need someone to talk to, or else who knows what I might do? I get in the car - and I run over and kill your only son(and you're sterile now).

Should I get punished? If so, then just a little or hard?

**Kralizec** · 11-07-2009, 21:20

I'd be more lenient with you than with most DIU'ers, but still some jailtime with a long probation.

What does that have to do with the topic?

**HoreTore** · 11-07-2009, 21:37

Originally Posted by Kralizec

I'd be more lenient with you than with most DIU'ers, but still some jailtime with a long probation.

What does that have to do with the topic?

This:

I assume they didn't mean for this to happen and are sad themselves

I never meant to run over anybody, and honestly I didn't mean to DIU at all, my life was falling to pieces remember. And honestly it's that cheating whore's fault... Anyway, I'm also extremely saddened by the death and it will probably haunt me until I die.

So, why can't I get that one month of jail per year that you gave to the others? My offense was one of circumstance and instant, theirs took place over at least months, maybe years, surely I should get an even lighter sentence?

**ajaxfetish** · 11-08-2009, 01:41

Originally Posted by HoreTore

So, why can't I get that one month of jail per year that you gave to the others? My offense was one of circumstance and instant, theirs took place over at least months, maybe years, surely I should get an even lighter sentence?

When did Kralizec suggest they get one month of jail per year (and what do you even mean by one month per year?)? He suggested they shouldn't be locked away for decades, and should get therapy. That could still easily mean numerous years in jail. He also suggested a lighter sentence then usual considering your circumstances. Looking at what he's said, he could easily assign you a lighter sentence than the couple in question.

Ajax