from examiner: Thursday the Oregon House or Representatives voted to end legal protection for parents who choose faith healing over modern medicine to treat their sick child. The vote was unanimous, and fills a legislative loop hole used by some Christian extremists to deny their children appropriate health care in the name of religion. The bill, drafted by State Representatives Carolyn Tomei and Dave Hunt, revokes legal protections for parents who deny medical treatment to their children on religious grounds. The bill can be understood as a direct response to the Followers of Christ Church located in Oregon City. The church is notorious for members allowing their sick children to suffer and even die rather than seek medical attention. The church preaches a religion based in faith-healing, a religion that rejects modern medicine in favor of prayer and the anointing of the sick with oil.

flashback: oregon bill would end protections for faith healers