Prayer Healing and Girl’s Death

The fundamental challenge of a democratic form of government is to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority. “Prosecutor Seeks Trial for Christian Scientist” (Part I, March 9) is a blatant attempt to force the will of a majority on a minority. Is this any different than the rule in primitive tribes where a person risks death if he questions the witch doctor, medicine man or tribal mores, even though they are wrong? In this case the attorney general is representing organized medicine.

--The health and longevity of the populace relying on spiritual healing compares favorably with the general population. Therefore, statistically spiritual healing is effective, solving the cause rather than the symptom through drugs. When I was a child, a very robust youth died from meningitis in a few days in spite of medical treatment. There is absolutely no certainty that Shauntay Walker would be alive had she been under medical treatment.

--Regardless of what the current majority thinks, the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. This should apply not only to the majority religions but also the minorities.

--The 1976 California state law bars criminal prosecution of parents who choose spiritual treatment for a child in accordance with the tenets of a recognized religion.

--There are many documented cases of people being cured by other means of medically diagnosed “incurable” conditions and diseases. Does this mean we should prosecute medical personnel for burying the patients they cannot cure?

Think about it!

JOHN G. LOEFFLER

Barstow