It would seem that child advocates have closed an agonizing chapter in our fight to help save the lives of children in Idaho who are denied needed medical care due to “faith healing” beliefs. The bill that aimed to protect these children died last week.
But the fight is not over.
Idaho committee chairman receives ‘F’ grade in child advocacy
One year ago, the Child-Friendly Faith Project and local advocates began meeting with Sen. Lee Heider about a critical issue—Idaho’s failure to protect children from egregious ‘faith healing’ medical neglect. In evaluating his ability to be an advocate for children, the board of the CFFP agrees that the Senator deserves an ‘F.’
Lee Heider
Are Idaho lawmakers ready to legalize all religiously motivated child abuse?
As Idaho legislators consider a bill that would protect children from egregious “faith healing” medical neglect, some have a lot to say about religious freedom.
Sen. Lee Heider, who chairs the Sen. Health and Welfare Committee, has repeatedly stated that he opposes a bill that would make it illegal for adults to
Idaho Governor talks about ‘faith healing’ child deaths; town hall meeting is held
Last week, before I headed to Boise, Idaho, I was looking forward to being part of a panel discussion organized by local child advocates. The purpose was to offer a public forum for Idahoans who wanted to ask questions and share their views about the state’s religious “faith healing” exemptions.
But
Legislators in Idaho don’t like the idea of faith-healing-believing parents being prosecuted for denying their children needed medical care. But chances are, it’s not something they need to worry about.
Given the media attention surrounding “faith healing” child deaths in Idaho, legislators are probably thinking about whether they should change the state’s laws that currently fail to protect children in certain faith communities from medical neglect. Some have said it’s wrong to prosecute parents who neglect their children’s health for religious reasons.
But before lawmakers go
An open letter to the people of Idaho
Many Idahoans are clear on where they stand on the issue of “faith healing” medical neglect.
There are those who believe that the state has a responsibility to protect the health and safety of its children, including those who are being raised by parents or guardians with extreme beliefs about
Unity of Austin becomes Charter Member of the CFFP
We are honored to designate Unity of Austin as a Charter Member of the Child-Friendly Faith Project. The church recently achieved this status after participating in a self-paced discussion series, the first phase of our Child-Friendly Faith Communities Designation Program.
The curriculum, which is specially designed for faith communities, offers
Please help us help kids
If you’ve been keeping up with our doings, you’ve probably heard about our Child-Friendly Faith Communities Designation Program. Now we’re launching a funding campaign that allows you to contribute directly to this unique curriculum! Specially designed for faith communities, the Designation Program teaches about child development and all forms of maltreatment. It
Featured Faith Community: Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch
Note: When we wrote this blog post, the CFFP had no idea that Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch had a long history of severe abuse and neglect. We stand by this post, which describes the good work that Boys Ranch does for young people today. However, we believe that all
“Parents rights” advocates have scored a victory now that Idaho has passed House Bill 113. But what does it mean for Idaho’s children?
On April 2, Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter signed into law House Bill 113 known as the “parents rights” bill. It will become law on July 1 of this year.
The bill was one of many similar pieces of legislation being lobbied around the country by the Home School Legal Defense Association, whose mission