Are Parents' Prayers for Miracle Healings Inhumane?
Are Parents' Prayers for Miracle Healings Inhumane?
A London judge ruled with a "heavy heart" Monday that an 8-year-old boy must be taken off life support, regardless of his Christian parents' prayers for a miracle.
The decision came just after the Journal of Medical Ethicsreleased a study in which British researchers expressed worry that parents who hope for divine intervention may act against the best interests of their child.
"We suggest it is time to reconsider current ethical and legal structures and facilitate rapid default access to courts in such situations when the best interests of the child are compromised in expectation of the miraculous," the authors—two doctors and a chaplain from a London children's hospital—concluded.
The study examines end-of-life cases over a three-year period. In the vast majority (186 of 203 cases) parents agreed to limit or withdraw "invasive therapy" that potentially would extend a child's life by artificial means. But in 11 of the 17 remaining cases, parents cited religious reasons—"expectation of divine intervention and a complete cure"—in arguing for the continuation of full medical treatment.
Parents resolved to withdraw treatment in five of those cases after meeting with religious leaders. However, aggressive treatment continued for five other children; in four of those cases, the children died.
"While it is vital to support families in such difficult times, we are increasingly concerned that deeply held belief in religion can lead to children being potentially subjected to burdensome care in expectation of 'miraculous' intervention," the study concluded.
The study, accompanied in the journal by four critical responses, quickly drew criticism.
"They show no data to prove that these children are suffering," said David Stevens, CEO of the Christian Medical and Dental Association. "That's based on this secular assumption that being a human being doesn't make you a person; that your value and quality of life is based upon your abilities."
Parents naturally hope for miraculous healing, says Paige Cunningham, executive director of the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity at Trinity International University. However, she said Christians need to be careful not to drift into vitalism, an elevation of biological life above all other values.
"Because we know biological life is not the highest value of our existence, parents don't have an obligation to extend life at all costs," said Cunningham. "In some cases, it might be that they just need the reassurance that letting go is not giving up on God or their child, and that it is okay to let go."
Yet she also believes courts should be reluctant to intervene, even if a child is not old enough to assent to treatment. In many cases, characterizing the child's condition as inhumane or torture sensationalizes the actual situation, especially if parents believe the spiritual values being protected are more important than physical ones.
"There are sometimes situations in which a parent's decision is overridden because it's not aggressive enough," said Eugene Volokh, a religious freedom scholar at the UCLA School of Law. "But if the parents say [they] want more care and doctors say it is futile, [then] generally speaking, the parents' decision prevails.
"Mere futility is not reason enough in that situation," he said.
A Fractured and Beautiful Faith
Streaming This Weekend, May 24, 2013
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K La
as a medical provider, i recognize the intense emotions surrounding life and death situations, especially with children. ethical decisions are influenced by medical findings and history, interaction of the provider with the family, spirituality, and psychological and emotional issues. much more discussion of these issues can shed light over time. this article is brief and therefore condensed, yet core issues are illuminated. the underlying factor that is not discussed is rationing of medical resources. in great britain more than the usa (yet), a willingness to continue aggressive treatment is affected by a view to disbursement of shrinking medical dollars. while this is an ugly fact to most when making decisions about children, we already face reluctance to spend for joint replacement for 85 year olds or provide the fourth $100,000 detox and rehab stay for the 50 year old continually relapsing addict. these decisions are real and they are looming and we need a biblical ethic.
Mandilina M
Jard Barlom or anyone - "Best interest of child" seems so ambiguous and difficult to pinpoint. It could be that the doctor isn't indifferent or impatient, etc., but that his or her knowledge and experience tells him this effort is futile. Odds have shown that this is true. The last sentence says it all: God can intervene above and beyond the ventilator or the dialysis machine,” said Orr, “if he is going to do it supernaturally.” Aren't the parents just delaying the inevitable? I lack interest in raising/having children. Appears to me to be such a demanding endeavour. So many parents seem burdened and the couples relationship deteriorates. Just my observation.
Mandilina M
J Thomas - Sure. Any article faith based or not should be questioned. This article illustrates developments and dilemmas various parties encounter in such a setting. Worthwhile topic. If the title was: Are Parents' Prayers for Miracle Healings Cruel - that, if you ask me, would sound ridiculous and be a ridiculous question. Ofcourse not, how could praying for your child's healing be cruel? It did serve the title well to use subtler variant of the word cruel. Now if one was communicating with the Lord back when He was here as a man or currently via a prayer and mentioned inhumane, I doubt the Lord would interrupt one to emphasize that such word is humanistic followed by some admonishment on how humans are fallen, sinful, wicked, flawed creatures. Rather, I sense He would graciously disregard imperfect word to focus on the context of entire message. Don't disagree on questioning. So many secular articles have wasted my time, unless it's recipes, nutrition or gardening advice.:)