Followers of Christ: Difference between revisions
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== The church == |
== The church == |
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The Oregon church was founded in the early 20th century by the Reverend Walter White, a preacher who led a congregation which [[Schism (religion)|broke away]] from a [[Kansas]] church of the same name in the 1940s.<ref name="orders">{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,989006,00.html|title=Holy Orders|author=Justin Bishop|publisher=[[University of Oregon]]|year=1999|accessdate=2008-03-24 | date=1998-08-31 |
The Oregon church was founded in the early 20th century by the Reverend Walter White, a preacher who led a congregation which [[Schism (religion)|broke away]] from a [[Kansas]] church of the same name in the 1940s.<ref name="orders">{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,989006,00.html|title=Holy Orders|author=Justin Bishop|publisher=[[University of Oregon]]|year=1999|accessdate=2008-03-24 | date=1998-08-31}}</ref> White and his congregation moved to [[Oregon]], and built a house of worship on Molalla Avenue in [[Oregon City, Oregon|Oregon City]], then a largely rural [[forestry|timber]] and [[agriculture|farming]] community, now a suburb of [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]]. White died in 1969, and the church has functioned without a minister since then.<ref name="doubt">{{cite news|title=Doubt, secrecy circle Followers of Christ|author=Mark Larabee|date=1998-06-28|publisher=[[The Oregonian]]}}</ref> In addition to the denomination's Oregon City church building, the Followers of Christ also own a cemetery in [[Carus, Oregon|Carus]], where deceased church members are routinely buried. |
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Estimates of the church's membership range from 1,200<ref name="doubt" /> to 2,300<ref name="test">{{cite news|title=Child's death may put faith law to test|publisher=The Oregonian|authors=Jessica Bruder and Dana Tims|date=2008-03-22|accessdate=2008-03-24|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1206156310185280.xml&coll=7&thispage=1}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news|title=Followers' roots reveal numerous splinters|author=Mark Larabee and Peter D. Sleeth|date=1998-07-06|work=The Oregonian}}</ref> The Oregon City church has secluded itself from all other churches that share its name. |
Estimates of the church's membership range from 1,200<ref name="doubt" /> to 2,300<ref name="test">{{cite news|title=Child's death may put faith law to test|publisher=The Oregonian|authors=Jessica Bruder and Dana Tims|date=2008-03-22|accessdate=2008-03-24|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1206156310185280.xml&coll=7&thispage=1}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news|title=Followers' roots reveal numerous splinters|author=Mark Larabee and Peter D. Sleeth|date=1998-07-06|work=The Oregonian}}</ref> The Oregon City church has secluded itself from all other churches that share its name. |
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The church is [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] in origin, and believes in a literal interpretation of [[Bible|Scripture]], including in the power of [[faith healing]] -- in the context of Pentecostal Christianity, the use of [[prayer]] and [[laying on of hands]] to cure illness. |
The church is [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]] in origin, and believes in a literal interpretation of [[Bible|Scripture]], including in the power of [[faith healing]] -- in the context of Pentecostal Christianity, the use of [[prayer]] and [[laying on of hands]] to cure illness.{{citation-needed}} Unlike many other churches which include faith healing as part of their doctrine, the Followers refuse all forms of medicine and professional medical care. The church practices [[shunning]] of those who violate or challenge church doctrine, including those who seek medical treatment; it has been alleged that many Followers clandestinely see doctors in defiance of church teaching<ref name="doubt" />. The church is also known for [[legalism (theology)|legalism]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wfial.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=archives.index|title=Watchman Fellowship Index of Cults and Religions |publisher=Watchman Fellowship|accessdate=2008-03-24}}</ref> and a [[Patriarchy|male-dominated society]].<ref name="doubt"/> The members of the church frequently greet each other with [[holy kiss|kisses]] on the lips;<ref name="orders"/> members of the church are often pejoratively referred to as "kissers" by others in Oregon City, and in other communities where large concentrations of Followers are found.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}} |
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Since the death of White, members of the church have increasingly isolated themselves from the community at large. The church no longer recruits or admits new members.<ref name="orders"/> According to church members, children raised in the church attend [[Public school (government funded)|public school]]s, but do not socialize outside the church once reaching middle-school age.<ref>{{cite web|title=Faith healing raises questions of law's duty|work=positiveatheism.org|url=http://www.positiveatheism.org/writ/deadbabies.htm|accessdate=2008-03-24}}</ref> |
Since the death of White, members of the church have increasingly isolated themselves from the community at large. The church no longer recruits or admits new members.<ref name="orders"/> According to church members, children raised in the church attend [[Public school (government funded)|public school]]s, but do not socialize outside the church once reaching middle-school age.<ref>{{cite web|title=Faith healing raises questions of law's duty|work=positiveatheism.org|url=http://www.positiveatheism.org/writ/deadbabies.htm|accessdate=2008-03-24}}</ref> |
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==Controversy== |
==Controversy== |
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During the latter part of the twentieth century, the church began to attract attention from authorities in the state of Oregon due to an unusually high mortality rate among its children. Larry Lewman, a former [[medical examiner]] in the state, alleges that during a ten-year period twenty-five children perished due to the lack of medical intervention—a death rate 26 times higher than among the general population.<ref name="orders"/> An investigation by ''[[The Oregonian]]'' claimed that at least 21 out of 78 minors found to be buried in the church cemetery died of preventable causes, including simple infections which would be easily treated with routine [[antibiotics]]. |
During the latter part of the twentieth century, the church began to attract attention from authorities in the state of Oregon due to an unusually high mortality rate among its children. Larry Lewman, a former [[medical examiner]] in the state, alleges that during a ten-year period twenty-five children perished due to the lack of medical intervention—a death rate 26 times higher than among the general population.<ref name="orders"/> An investigation by ''[[The Oregonian]]'' claimed that at least 21 out of 78 minors found to be buried in the church cemetery died of preventable causes, including simple infections which would be easily treated with routine [[antibiotics]].{{citation-needed}} The high death rate among church children attracted national media attention, including coverage of the church by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine,{{citation-needed}} [[ABC News]] newsmagazine ''[[20/20]]'', and the [[PBS]] program ''[[Religion & Ethics Newsweekly]]''.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week233/cover.html|title=Faith Healing|work=Religion & Ethics|date=1999-04-16|issue=233}}</ref> |
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Prior to 1999, authorities in [[Oregon]] were largely powerless to combat these deaths. Like many states, Oregon has laws protecting parents who practice faith healing from prosecution. The laws in Oregon at the time were especially liberal in the protections granted to parents; granting immunity from [[manslaughter]] charges to parents whose children perished due to an alleged reliance on faith healing over traditional medicine. |
Prior to 1999, authorities in [[Oregon]] were largely powerless to combat these deaths. Like many states, Oregon has laws protecting parents who practice faith healing from prosecution. The laws in Oregon at the time were especially liberal in the protections granted to parents; granting immunity from [[manslaughter]] charges to parents whose children perished due to an alleged reliance on faith healing over traditional medicine.{{citation-needed}} The widespread immunity granted by the state was opposed by many in the medical community, including the [[American Academy of Pediatrics]] and the [[American Medical Association]]. The opposition was also supported by several former church members, including parents whose children had died from causes believed to be preventable; these parents have reported being ostracized from the church as a result of their advocacy.{{citation-needed}} |
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On the other side of the debate were other faith-healing churches and civil liberties groups, who argued that parents' [[freedom of religion]] was paramount, and outweighed the state's interest in protecting children from harm. |
On the other side of the debate were other faith-healing churches and civil liberties groups, who argued that parents' [[freedom of religion]] was paramount, and outweighed the state's interest in protecting children from harm.{{citation-needed}} [[Christian Science]], a religion which practices spiritual-healing,<ref>[http://www.marybakereddylibrary.org/marybakereddy/scienceandhealthonline.jhtml]</ref> also works with law-makers to ensure that every citizen is entitled to a choice in health care. In addition, many wished to ensure that the law differentiated between parents who acted in good faith, and parents who were genuinely abusive to their children.<ref>{{cite news |title=Balancing rights makes faith-healing bills thorny|author=Mark Larabee|date=1999-06-28|work=The Oregonian}}</ref> The debate in Oregon mirrored other debates concerning faith healing which have occurred throughout the United States; many of which have eliminated religious immunity laws for [[homicide]].<ref>{{cite news|title=The battle over faith healing|work=The Oregonian|author=Mark Larabee|date=1998-11-28}}</ref> |
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In January 1999, a bill was introduced in the [[Oregon Legislature]] to repeal the "religious beliefs" defense to charges of [[manslaughter]], [[homicide]], and [[child abuse]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Bill aims to lift all Oregon religious shields |author=Mark Larabee|work=The Oregonian|date=1999-01-22}}</ref> After much debate, a modified version of the law was subsequently passed later that year. |
In January 1999, a bill was introduced in the [[Oregon Legislature]] to repeal the "religious beliefs" defense to charges of [[manslaughter]], [[homicide]], and [[child abuse]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Bill aims to lift all Oregon religious shields |author=Mark Larabee|work=The Oregonian|date=1999-01-22}}</ref> After much debate, a modified version of the law was subsequently passed later that year. |
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Revision as of 21:36, 3 December 2010
This article is about a particular church. For an article about the original followers of Christ, see Apostle (Christian).
The Followers of Christ is an unorthodox Christian denomination based in the U.S. state of Oregon. The church has attracted controversy for its practices of faith healing and of shunning members who violate church doctrine, including those who seek medical care. According to authorities[who?] in Oregon and other places where church members are found, numerous children have suffered premature deaths from treatable causes due to their parents' refusal to seek medical care; a former Oregon state medical examiner claims the infant mortality rate within the Followers of Christ community is 26 times greater that of the general population.[1][2] Church members and others[who?] have argued that parents should have the right to select whatever methods of healing they deem appropriate for their children and that public policy, which requires use of conventional medicine over faith healing, constitutes a violation of freedom of religion.
The church
The Oregon church was founded in the early 20th century by the Reverend Walter White, a preacher who led a congregation which broke away from a Kansas church of the same name in the 1940s.[2] White and his congregation moved to Oregon, and built a house of worship on Molalla Avenue in Oregon City, then a largely rural timber and farming community, now a suburb of Portland. White died in 1969, and the church has functioned without a minister since then.[3] In addition to the denomination's Oregon City church building, the Followers of Christ also own a cemetery in Carus, where deceased church members are routinely buried.
Estimates of the church's membership range from 1,200[3] to 2,300[4] [5] The Oregon City church has secluded itself from all other churches that share its name.
The church is Pentecostal in origin, and believes in a literal interpretation of Scripture, including in the power of faith healing -- in the context of Pentecostal Christianity, the use of prayer and laying on of hands to cure illness.[citation needed] Unlike many other churches which include faith healing as part of their doctrine, the Followers refuse all forms of medicine and professional medical care. The church practices shunning of those who violate or challenge church doctrine, including those who seek medical treatment; it has been alleged that many Followers clandestinely see doctors in defiance of church teaching[3]. The church is also known for legalism[6] and a male-dominated society.[3] The members of the church frequently greet each other with kisses on the lips;[2] members of the church are often pejoratively referred to as "kissers" by others in Oregon City, and in other communities where large concentrations of Followers are found.[citation needed]
Since the death of White, members of the church have increasingly isolated themselves from the community at large. The church no longer recruits or admits new members.[2] According to church members, children raised in the church attend public schools, but do not socialize outside the church once reaching middle-school age.[7]
Controversy
During the latter part of the twentieth century, the church began to attract attention from authorities in the state of Oregon due to an unusually high mortality rate among its children. Larry Lewman, a former medical examiner in the state, alleges that during a ten-year period twenty-five children perished due to the lack of medical intervention—a death rate 26 times higher than among the general population.[2] An investigation by The Oregonian claimed that at least 21 out of 78 minors found to be buried in the church cemetery died of preventable causes, including simple infections which would be easily treated with routine antibiotics.[citation needed] The high death rate among church children attracted national media attention, including coverage of the church by Time magazine,[citation needed] ABC News newsmagazine 20/20, and the PBS program Religion & Ethics Newsweekly.[8]
Prior to 1999, authorities in Oregon were largely powerless to combat these deaths. Like many states, Oregon has laws protecting parents who practice faith healing from prosecution. The laws in Oregon at the time were especially liberal in the protections granted to parents; granting immunity from manslaughter charges to parents whose children perished due to an alleged reliance on faith healing over traditional medicine.[citation needed] The widespread immunity granted by the state was opposed by many in the medical community, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association. The opposition was also supported by several former church members, including parents whose children had died from causes believed to be preventable; these parents have reported being ostracized from the church as a result of their advocacy.[citation needed]
On the other side of the debate were other faith-healing churches and civil liberties groups, who argued that parents' freedom of religion was paramount, and outweighed the state's interest in protecting children from harm.[citation needed] Christian Science, a religion which practices spiritual-healing,[9] also works with law-makers to ensure that every citizen is entitled to a choice in health care. In addition, many wished to ensure that the law differentiated between parents who acted in good faith, and parents who were genuinely abusive to their children.[10] The debate in Oregon mirrored other debates concerning faith healing which have occurred throughout the United States; many of which have eliminated religious immunity laws for homicide.[11]
In January 1999, a bill was introduced in the Oregon Legislature to repeal the "religious beliefs" defense to charges of manslaughter, homicide, and child abuse.[12] After much debate, a modified version of the law was subsequently passed later that year.
An Alberta, Canada couple who were members of a different church were successfully prosecuted by authorities when their child died under similar circumstances; the law there did not provide the same faith-healing exemptions that were found in Oregon.[13]
In March 2008, controversy was renewed when a 15-month old church toddler, Ava Worthington, died of pneumonia; the first known death to occur under circumstances potentially covered by the 1999 law. Authorities in Clackamas County, Oregon filed charges of manslaughter against the parents in the case.[4] Just three months later, on June 18, 2008, Ava's 16-year-old Uncle, Neil Beagley died from an easily treatable condition (a long-term bladder blockage that forced urea into the bloodstream).[14][15] In neither case did the families seek medical help. On July 23, 2009, the parents of Ava Worthington were acquitted of manslaughter charges in the death of their daughter, but the father was found guilty of one lesser charge which carries a potential sentence of a year in jail.[1][16] On February 2, 2010, by a 10-2 jury verdict in Clackamas County, the parents of Neil Beagley were found guilty of criminally negligent homicide, with sentencing scheduled for February 18, 2010.[17] Both were sentenced to 16 months in prison on March 8, 2010.[18]
References
- ^ a b Jurors explain their 'not guilty' verdict in faith healing trial, July 27, 2009
- ^ a b c d e Justin Bishop (1998-08-31). "Holy Orders". University of Oregon. Retrieved 2008-03-24.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - ^ a b c d Mark Larabee (1998-06-28). "Doubt, secrecy circle Followers of Christ". The Oregonian.
- ^ a b "Child's death may put faith law to test". The Oregonian. 2008-03-22. Retrieved 2008-03-24.
{{cite news}}: Cite uses deprecated parameter|authors=(help) - ^ Mark Larabee and Peter D. Sleeth (1998-07-06). "Followers' roots reveal numerous splinters". The Oregonian.
- ^ "Watchman Fellowship Index of Cults and Religions". Watchman Fellowship. Retrieved 2008-03-24.
- ^ "Faith healing raises questions of law's duty". positiveatheism.org. Retrieved 2008-03-24.
- ^ "Faith Healing". Religion & Ethics (233). 1999-04-16.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Mark Larabee (1999-06-28). "Balancing rights makes faith-healing bills thorny". The Oregonian.
- ^ Mark Larabee (1998-11-28). "The battle over faith healing". The Oregonian.
- ^ Mark Larabee (1999-01-22). "Bill aims to lift all Oregon religious shields". The Oregonian.
- ^ "Alberta couple gets mixed verdict in case of son who died of diabetes". Sympatico Newsexpress. 2000-06-09.
- ^ Teen from faith healing family dies at Ore. home, Seattle Times
- ^ Neil Beagley's death may not be criminal, Chicago Tribune
- ^ [2]
- ^ http://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/index.ssf/2010/02/beagley_verdict_comes_in_from.html Retrieved 2010-02-06
- ^ Dungca, Nicole (2010-03-08). "Jeffrey and Marci Beagley sentenced to 16 months of prison for their son's faith-healing death". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2010-03-08.