A US jury has found a man guilty of killing his sick 11-year-old daughter by praying for her recovery rather than seeking medical care.
The man, Dale Neumann, told a court in the state of Wisconsin he believed God could heal his daughter.
She died of a treatable disease - undiagnosed diabetes - at home in rural Wisconsin in March last year, as people surrounded her and prayed.
Neumann's wife, Leilani Neumann, was convicted earlier this year.
The couple, who were both convicted of second-degree reckless homicide, face up to 25 years in prison when they are sentenced in October.
A lawyer representing Dale Neumann said he would appeal.
'Faith healing'
During the trial, medical experts told the court that Neumann's daughter could have survived if she had received treatment, including insulin and fluids, before she stopped breathing.
On Thursday Neumann, who is 47 and studied in the past to be a Pentecostal minister, said he thought God would heal his daughter.
"If I go to the doctor, I am putting the doctor before God," he said. "I am not believing what he said he would do."
He also said he thought his daughter had had flu or a fever, and that he had not realised how ill she was.
Neumann's lawyer said he had been convinced that his "faith healing" was working, and that he had committed no crime.
The prosecution argued that Neumann had minimised his daughter's illness and that he had allowed her to die as a selfish act of faith.
They said the girl should have been taken to hospital because she was unable to walk, talk, eat or drink.
Instead, an ambulance was only called once the girl had stopped breathing.
Bravo
The American schooling system teaches the existence of 'God' as a fact.
Therefore you end up with these kind of morons.
Evolution in progress.
Raymond
Bravo wrote:
The American schooling system teaches the existence of 'God' as a fact.
I don't think it's only the american schooling system Bravo. Have you noticed all the faith schools springing up here lately?
This man should be charged and sent to prison for a long time. After 25 years of being someone's 'shower-boy' we'll see where his god is then.
Bravo
Raymond wrote:
I don't think it's only the american schooling system Bravo. Have you noticed all the faith schools springing up here lately?
Indeed I have, my own kids go to one of them. But even these schools don't force it down the kids throats in the way the American schooling system does.
Raymond
No, they may not 'force it down their throat' but god is still taught as a given fact.
My nephew goes to one and I was shocked when I went to the school recently for a summer fayre.
Looking at the work on the walls - and these are reception school kids - it was clear to see that not fully accepting the christian view of god simply wasn't an option.
Talking of this summer fayre at his school, parents and relatives were asked if they would offer their services to help out.
I said I would be happy to do Tarot readings for a small fee with all the proceeds going to the school, obviously.
I was politely refused.
Wonderful thing faith schools. Poison thier minds young and you've got them for life.
