In light of several of the comments made here, I think the following responses are warranted...
(1) It still amazes me that people — even Conservatives — are willing to take reports in the MSM at face value. This “news story” was quite probably written to portray Christians in the worst possible light, while portraying the Muslim parents of Miss Barry in a sympathetic light. Don’t be quite so gullible...
(2) Miss Barry has been treated with surgery for her cancer, and has apparently decided not to have follow-up with chemo-therapy. Since WE don’t know whether there are signs of metastasis, we don’t know if that was wise or not. The indication is that there was no spread, so she decided against chemo. If you’d ever have been through chemo, or seen someone go through it, you might understand.
(3) Miss Barry’s treatment may have been guided by the Christians who are in charge of her foster care, or they may be her decisions alone. They appear to be in conflict with her Muslim parents desires according to the media. Is this a real conflict, or one conjured up for the media and the courts?
(4) As to the theological suppositions regarding Christians and healing — some have speculated that those Christians who believe that “if you believe you can be medically healed according the the scripture ‘by his striped we are healed’” are silly. But look at it another way — can we as followers of Christ receive ANYTHING except through the ATONEMENT of Christ? NO. One more Question — Does Jesus still heal today? (I’m NOT speaking of “faith-healers,” the Benny Hinn’s of the world, but in general...?) Biblically, my understanding of scripture says emphatically, YES. So, believing in healing theologically is not the issue, in my view...
(5) Practically, should Miss Barry RELY SOLELY on “faith healing” to cure her cancer? Well, she didn’t, since she had surgery. If she still has signs and symptoms of cancer, and she is being advised to seek further treatment by medical professionals, but her “Christian” gaurdians or advisers are advising her not to seek treatment but merely to trust God despite the signs of problems, then the gaurdians are being negligent.
(6) The above points, however, are moot as of next Tuesday, because Miss Barry will be 18 on that day. She has the Liberty (as of now anyway) NOT to be treated for anything. It is indeed her l ife.
(7) No religion should “condemn” this young woman to death by “prohibiting” medical treatment. Nor should a religion — nor a government COMPEL someone to seek treatment that they do not want and that might not help. For an ADULT, this is a personal decision. For a child, this is a complex decisison that needs to be decided by the family itself... Should the Government step in and “save” a young person should the family decide the child should not have Chemo? Wow — that’s an argument I’m not comforrtable making — and one I’m NOT saying I wouldn’t make.
I’m just glad I don’t have to!
good post
Gatterdam also took exception to Rifqa's parents' attorney's claim that she went to a faith-healing event in Youngstown and then quit chemotherapy. He said the girl went to a "prayer conference" shortly after her diagnosis and then had "multiple surgeries and chemotherapy." He said the treatments made her very weak and sick.