The world population clock is sans one as a 16-year old boy leaves this planet because of religious belief. No, he’s not a martyr in anyway, just a victim of religious brainwashing.
Note this disturbing story from FOX News.
Neil Beagley of Oregon City, Ore. belongs to an odd sect called “Followers of Christ.” And now, the dreaded sarcosanct oxymoron that has troubled genuine believers since 1879 – Christian Science.
Although this splinter group that says they aren’t affiliated with any other, they are responsible for propagating these “scientists'” one chief dogmatic delusion – people don’t EVER need, or should REQUIRE a hospital, only Dr. Jesus and his holy house call.
You see, young Neil had a urinary tract blockage that went untreated, allowed urea to get its toxin in the bloodstream and he died. Evidently, this twisted sort of allegiance runs in the family, according to the story:
In March, the boy’s 15-month-old cousin Ava Worthington died at home from bronchial pneumonia and a blood infection.
Her parents, Carl and Raylene Worthington, also belong to the church. They have pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and criminal mistreatment, and their defense attorneys have indicated they will use a religious freedom defense.
After earlier deaths involving children of Followers of Christ believers, a 1999 Oregon law struck down religious shields for parents who treat their children solely with prayer. No one had been prosecuted under it until the Worthingtons’ case.
I understand faith and divinity. Faith is a hallmark to any espoused Christian. I realize when you are sick, it’s refreshing, rudimentary and respectful to God to pray for healing. However, MEMO to all the Mary Baker Eddy disciples out there: EVEN JESUS RECRUITED A PHYSICIAN TO BE IN HIS DIVINE DOZEN. And – here’s the kicker – he wasn’t even a Christian when Jesus requested his company.
His name was Luke, maybe you’ve heard of him? Good writer too but I doubt you have read his best-selling book. Last time I went into a bookstore in one of your “churches”, I couldn’t locate a Bible. But hey, next time my walk with Christ require teachings on yoga, TM and my ‘inner child’, I’ll make sure to visit again.
Pontius Pilate was marked in infamy for washing his hands after the throngs demanded Jesus’ blood over Barabbas’. He didn’t want the blood of Jesus on his own hands, reluctant to execute the man who would be King. QUESTION to Neil’s parents – and the rest of the ‘Scientific’ nation – where do you think this boy’s blood will land?
Try washing that off… it’s a stain that bleach can’t even remove.
The Writing on the Wall 
Followers of Christ are not Christian Scientists. The Christian Scientists I know (and I know a lot of them) are reasonable, responsible people who love God, Jesus, their fellow men, and their families at least as much as anyone else and who take the care, and especially the health care, of their children very seriously. Christian Scientists are not forbidden to take their children to doctors or to seek medical help for their own problems, and occasionally they do choose this option when it seems wise to do so. However, most Christian Scientists don’t find they need to very often (if at all) because Christian Science heals, and it heals quickly and completely anything from the common cold to cancer, AIDS, heart disease and everything in between. As the Wikipedia article about the First Church of Christ, Scientist states, the church has over 50,000 verified testimonies of healing as a result of CS treatment, and a significant number of those are “regarding diagnosed conditions accompanied by legal affidavits of authenticity signed by medical practitioners who witnessed a non-medical healing.” My point is, Christian Science has worked for hundreds of thousands of people (far more healings have occurred than the church has verified), unlike the followers of Christ’s faith healing approach which seems to have little to recommend it. Wikipedia describes the followers of Christ as members of “an unorthodox, fundamentalist Christian denomination [that] has attracted controversy for its practices of faith healing and of shunning members who violate church doctrine, including those who seek medical care.” Christian Science, on the other hand is not a fundamentalist religion at all unless you consider radical reliance on God for healing a return to the fundamental principles of Christianity! And Christian Science is not a dogmatic religion that requires unthinking obedience to a strict party line either. Instead members are encouraged to think and decide for themselves whether or not Christian Science practice is reasonable and righteous. It is irresponsible (and, if intentional, dishonest) for you to use this tragic child’s death as an excuse to criticize Christian Science since Christian Science had nothing to do with it, and you are just plain wrong when you say that most Christian Scientists refuse to use wisdom. Practicing Christian Science has never endangered my family even the tiniest little bit. It has, however, made daily life much more enjoyable and rewarding, and it has, more than once, saved the lives of members of my family and from conditions medicine had no solutions for. I am a Christian Scientist because it works for me, and it has kept my entire family happy and healthy, as well as morally centered, for many decades.
Anyone does have a right to worship any god the way they want to; however, when it comes to Christianity, wisdom is tantamount to following God’s will. “Prayer without ceasing” is a tenet of faith, it’s about making prayer part of your daily regimen.
However, there are times when wisdom must take over and strike that light bulb, “Um, perhaps I need to take my child to a doctor and THAT is where Dr. Jesus will take over.” They lost a child because they refused to use the wisdom God gave them. Most Christian Scientists do that, and it stems from Eddy’s teachings.
That is where I believe faith takes over and you just humbly ask, “God, direct me and show me the way.” Because of a human, they refused to consult God in that endeavor. No judging, just calling a spade, a spade.
I think your post is BULL SHIT. Any one has a right in a free society to worship God the way they want to. You have no right to judge others because they do not want to use doctors, and medical means of healing. God is more powerful than any hospital, doctor, or medicine. You can believe the way you want, but don’t condemn others for their beliefs.
[…] news story Tags: christian science, faith healing, Religion A few days ago, the Wall was illuminated by a controversial story concerning 16-year old, Neil Beagley, who CHOSE to die (basically) from a urinary tract […]
[…] Killed by an oxymoron… in Jesus’ name However, MEMO to all the Mary Baker Eddy disciples out there: EVEN JESUS RECRUITED A PHYSICIAN TO BE IN HIS DIVINE DOZEN. And – here’s the kicker – he wasn’t even a Christian when Jesus requested his company. … […]