Dying to Be Healed
- play show:
Date: 29 January 2009
Faith Healing: Miraculous Cure or Deadly Gamble?
What happens when parents choose religion over medicine to heal their sick children? In the last 25 years, about 300 kids in the United States have died after attempted faith healing—the idea that prayer or the biblical ‘laying on of hands’ alone can cure disease. One of them was an Oregon toddler named Ava Worthington, who died last March from complications related to an easily treatable case of pneumonia. Now Ava's parents are accused of manslaughter…but they say they're just exercising their religious rights. Where should the courts draw the line?
Shawn Peters, author of When Prayer Fails: Faith Healing, Children and the Law
Commentary: Benedict's Blunder
Begins at 15 min. 30 sec.
Jewish groups were stunned when Pope Benedict XVI welcomed four excommunicated bishops back into the Church—including a Holocaust denier. In November, Bishop Richard Williamson told a Swedish reporter that the historical evidence "is hugely against 6 million Jews having been deliberately gassed.
" So, what was the Pope thinking? Our own Maureen Fiedler weighs in.
Maureen Fiedler, Host
Why Christian Scientists Believe Prayer Works
Begins at 22 min. 30 sec.
Faith healing is often linked to the Church of Christ, Scientist. Its members believe that illness is actually a spiritual problem which can be healed through prayer. But Christian Scientists have real differences with fringe faith healers, like Ava Worthington's parents and the Followers of Christ church.
Phil Davis, spokesman for the Church of Christ, Scientist
Obama Bans Torture
Begins at 31 min. 38 sec.
It’s over. On his first full day in office, President Obama banned the CIA from using harsh interrogation tactics. We find out how religious groups are reacting to this executive order.
Linda Gustitus, president of the board of directors, National Religious Campaign Against Torture
The Heebster Handbook
Begins at 42 min. 38 sec.
There’s a cultural revolution underfoot…and it kind of looks like Adam Sandler. From “Yenta” T-shirts and Moses action figures to He'Brew Beer, hipster Judaism is all the rage. Lisa Alcalay Klug catalogues the “Jewniverse” in her new book.
Lisa Alcalay Klug, author of Cool Jew: The Ultimate Guide for Every Member of the Tribe
This Week's Interfaith Calendar
Feb. 1 - Four Chaplains Sunday (Interfaith)
This holiday solutes four brave chaplains—three Christian and one Jewish—who lost their lives saving serviceman during WWII. When their ship was struck by German torpedos, the chaplains calmly gave away their life jackets. As the ship sank, they held hands and bowed their heads in prayer.
Feb. 2 - Candlemas (Christian)
An ancient Christian festival that honors the purification of Mary after giving birth, and the presention of Jesus in the Temple.
Feb. 2 - Imbolc (Wiccan/Pagan)
One of the most important holidays on the pagan calendar, this light-filled festival was originally dedicated to the goddess Brigid. The modern Groundhog Day may have its roots in the Imbolc tradition of predicting the weather by watching badgers emerge from their winter hideaways.
Feb. 3 - Setsubun/Risshun (Shinto)
On this Japanese holiday, the head of the household goes from room to room, throwing handfuls of lucky soybeans, and shouting, “Demons out! Good luck in!” The ritual is meant to observe the onset of spring according to Japan's traditional lunar calendar.
