[Sword]

This reminds me of a book I read last year called "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down" by Anne Fadiman (true story). It about a Hmong family who youngest dauther has severe case of epilepsy where the doctors and family fight against one another for the well being of Lia Lee and how they should treat her. This all happen in the 1980s where the Hmong left Laos as refugees and some came toward the US to settle, but these group of people were very protective toward their culture and people. Thus Lia was neglected of medical treatment by her parents believing that they were doing the right thing by using herbs or shamans. But they did tried sending her to the hostipal at first and at time when her condition became severe. The similarities between this case and that of the christian family is that the both parents believed they were doing the right thing and with both ending with the same results. The only difference though is that Lia parents had a cultural and language barrier between them and the doctors, as well as they used both their traditional religion and western medicine to help Lia.

Sorry for the long message, but I wanted to point out a similar case in which religion and culture can affect how people are treated for health problems. But for the little christain girl there are some unsolved question, such as where was the goverment involvement in her health since a parent can't denied a child medical treatment (this did happen in the book as well). Such a offend is punishable by law in the United States, I don't know the punishment but I do know that only an adult whos 18 can refuse medical treatment, not a child. Also what parent would stand there and not help her daugther if she ill? Any one would have the idea of taking her to a hostipal if she wasn't feeling well, reguardless of religion. All I have to say is that they are no parents, but instead heartless being who had to watch their poor child die in front of them.