It’s hard to believe that in 21st century Wisconsin, children die because their parents stick to faith healing over medical treatment. Yet that has happened at least twice in the past six years: once to an autistic 8-year-old in 2003 and once to a diabetic 11-year-old in 2008.

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation news Web site, 8-year-old Terrence Cottrell suffocated by being wrapped in sheets to prevent his movement while his parents and independent church members attempted an exorcism to rid him of the evil spirits they thought were responsible for his condition. Similarly, 11-year-old Madeline Neumann died from a treatable form of diabetes because her parents prayed for healing from God instead of taking her to a hospital, according to telegraph.co.uk.

Neumann’s parents received six months in jail —­­ one month each year for six years — to think about what God wants them to learn.  Their jail time was stayed while convictions are being appealed. They are also on probation, which includes regular checkups for their other children.

It is reassuring to know that neither of these families belong to typical, mainstream religions. Cottrell, the autistic child, came from a family that subscribed to an independent church and Neumann’s family belonged to no organized religion at all; they simply lived their lives by the Bible. Few, if any, churches encourage exorcisms or faith healing in lieu of medical treatment.

But it still happens. Type “faith healing deaths” into google.com and you’ll get a whole slew of related articles. Deaths occur because some people simply cannot logically incorporate both science and religion into their lives. The saddest cases are those of children; they had no choice.

The blending of science and religion is not difficult for most people. Even ultra-socially conservative groups like the Amish visit doctors when needed. But Wisconsin statutes dictate that parents cannot be accused of abuse or neglect if the sole reason their child died was because they relied on prayer rather than medicine. This is wrong.

If an adult would truly rather die than be seen by a doctor, that is their choice and I’m not going to try to stop them. I firmly believe in freedom of religion, and if you want to die for your religion, that’s totally reasonable and it’s your choice. It’s an entirely different matter, however, when children are involved. People have a right to raise their children however they would like, within reason. It is completely unfair and unethical that an 11-year-old child should be forced to die because her parents won’t take her to a doctor to get simple insulin shots. Just because two people have sex and pop out a baby does not mean they have a right to control every aspect of that child’s life; not when their actions cross over from reasonable to dangerous and potentially fatal. What about the rights of that little girl? Just because she is under 18, her parents own her and can decide whether she lives or dies based solely upon their religious principles? What about the 8-year-old autistic boy? He deserves to be smothered in sheets because his family thinks that waving a cross and shouting is somehow goi­ng to cure his autism? Just because religion is the sole factor does not make the death free and clear of abuse and neglect; neglect is neglect, no matter how you dress it up.

It’s ridiculous. This state and this country has an obligation to protect its citizens, especially its children. It is morally and ethically irresponsible to have laws that allow children to die at the hands of their parents, for whatever reason.