Religion & Spirituality
When Medicine and Religion Conflict Around Children: The Case of Daniel Hauser
Thu, 06/25/2009 - 13:28 — Dave CulverWhen Daniel Hauser and his mother, members of new Native American religion the Nemenhah Band, opted out of chemotherapy and fled to Mexico, the media were ready with a religion vs. medicine narrative.
Wendy Cadge, Religion Dispatches
Danny Hauser on May 8 (AP Photo/The Star Tribune, Kyndell Harkness)
Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in January, just shy of his thirteenth birthday, Daniel Hauser received one round of chemotherapy before walking away—well under the six treatments recommended by physicians. Despite chemotherapy’s 90% success rate, the Hauser family, who belong to a new Native American religious sect called the Nemenhah Band, opted to treat his cancer using natural healing remedies per the Nemenhah mission. Further, Daniel revealed to the court that he believed the chemo would kill him, later informing the judge in chambers that if forced into treatment he’d resist: “I'd punch them and I'd kick them.”
The case rose to public attention when Judge John Rodenberg ruled that Daniel’s parents were medically neglecting him by not pursuing the full course of chemotherapy, and ordered them to do so. Following the ruling, Daniel and his mother Colleen fled the state and headed for Mexico without notifying Daniel’s father of their plans. Judge Rodenberg, meanwhile, issued an arrest warrant for Colleen Hauser and ordered that Daniel be placed in foster care and evaluated by appropriate physicians. The arrest warrant eventually became a federal warrant involving the FBI, Interpol, and the national news media.
G8 country bishops urge protection of poor
Thu, 06/25/2009 - 13:02 — Dave Culver“Our moral tradition commits the Church to protecting human life and dignity, especially of the poorest, most vulnerable members of the human family. In the faces of poor persons the Catholic Church sees the face of Christ whom we serve in countries throughout the world.”
Jerry Filteau, National Catholic Reporter
In a letter to leaders participating in the G8 Summit in Italy, July 8-10, the presidents of the Catholic bishops’ conferences of the G8 nations urged Summit leaders to “take concerted actions to protect poor persons and assist developing countries.”
The bishops observed that poor persons and nations have contributed the least to creating the economic crisis and to the human cause of global climate change, but in both cases are likely to suffer tragic consequences.
The conference presidents wrote: “Our moral tradition commits the Church to protecting human life and dignity, especially of the poorest, most vulnerable members of the human family. In the faces of poor persons the Catholic Church sees the face of Christ whom we serve in countries throughout the world.”
The G8 leaders include President Obama and the heads of state of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Russian Federation and the United Kingdom. Cardinal Francis George, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), signed the letter, dated June 22.
John Calvin Superstar: Protestant reformer, born 500 years ago, celebrated worldwide
Sat, 06/20/2009 - 17:32 — Dave CulverHanns Neurbourg, Associated Press
John Calvin, the Great Reformer, used dictatorial means in making Geneva a "Protestant Rome," but he also planted the seeds of modern democracy.
He enforced rigid morality and stressed the importance of helping others, while he also had a share in developing capitalism. He supported the destruction of religious statues and other images, but described the arts as gifts from God.
This is how Calvin's role in history is being assessed by theologians and historians in countless lectures, studies and biographies 500 years after he was born on July 10, 1509. The quincentenary is being observed around the globe with the Geneva-based World Alliance of Reformed Churches acting as a central organizer of "Calvin 09."
'Emergent Church' v. Fundamentalism
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 16:25 — Dave CulverThe Rev. Howard Bess, Consortium.com
Consortium.com Editor’s Note: Over the past few decades, Christian Evangelicalism has claimed a prominent place in American religious – and political – life, but some of its harsher elements are now being challenged by adherents to what's been called an “emergent church.”
In this guest essay – a follow-up of an earlier report about this development – the Rev. Howard Bess recounts some personal reactions to his previous article.
Three weeks ago (May 17-23) I wrote a column about the emergent churches in America. I wrote the column as a report, not as an opinion. I credited Professor Scott McKnight of North Park University in Chicago and cited his eight characteristics of the emergent church.
Called to be a Faithful Minnesota
Wed, 06/17/2009 - 08:54 — Dave Culver- The governor is claiming the power to balance the state budget through a method called unallotment.
- This may mean that some people will literally lose their lives in order to balance our budget.
Gathering For Witness of Lament
, Tuesday, June 30 at 10:45am
, State Capitol, St. Paul
Minnesota people of faith are gathering for a witness of lament on Tuesday June 30 at 10:45 AM at the State Capitol to urge Gov. Tim Pawlenty not to abandon the health of Minnesota’s citizens, especially those most in need.
Come and join this event in a spirit of lament: wear black, bring flowers and notes for the Governor. Bring your congregational banners well.
The legislature has adjourned and the governor has vetoed the revenue bill which was approved by both houses, so now the governor alone has the power to make changes to block spending through a method called unallotment. The governor has already vetoed an appropriation which would have saved health insurance for 30,000 extremely vulnerable Minnesotans. There is indication he will continue down this road.
These measures may mean that some people will literally lose their lives in order to balance our budget.
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