Judge Says 14-Year Old Can Refuse Transfusion; Boy Dies
"In Seattle, Washington on Wednesday, Skagit County Superior Court Judge John Meyer ruled that a 14-year old boy was mature enough to decide to refuse a blood transfusion on religious grounds. A few hours later, Dennis Lindberg, a Jehovah's Witness who suffered from leukemia, died. The AP reports that doctors believed there was a 70% chance that a transfusion which would permit additional chemotherapy could have led to survival for five years. Lindberg's aunt had custody of him, and Lindberg's birth parents, who attended the hearing, believe that the boy was unduly influenced by his Jehovah's Witness aunt in making his decision. However they did not appeal after doctors said the boy had already likely suffered brain damage."
I am impressed that the judge allowed the boy the free choice to decide if he wanted to die or not. I think back to the Terri Shaivo case, and all the entanglements that were involved. Maybe that case would have gone differently if she herself had been able to choose. One of the comments to the post pointed out that "Jehovah's Witnesses elders will investigate and disfellowship any Jehovah Witness who takes a blood transfusion,to say the issue is a 'personal conscience matter' is subterfuge to keep the Watchtower out of lawsuits."The religious element adds an interesting twist to the case. Faith is such a key element of how we make life choices, it defines our entire world-view. But does it leave us actually able to make free choice? Does it predetermine our choices? I think there is a fine line between faith and religion. For example, the catholic church (pre-Luther) dictated to the people what they should believe, and how they should behave. Islam does this now, the prescription of belief is so dogmatic this is little room for personal conviction and choice. If you sway from the proscribed tenets the result is stoning, hanging, dishonoring your family. This is what I see with the JW's. The belief that blood is SO sacred that they would rather their follower's die than receive life giving treatments, doesn't leave much personal choice.
Is it possible for religion to further enhance and actually benefit our lives in a holistic sense? Can it give us freedom rather than box us in with rules?
