Jeez this is a tough one, and it breaks my heart. Recently some parents were sentenced to jail because their religious beliefs prevented them from seeking treatment for their child, who eventually died. Now there is an even more heartbreaking story in the media.

480284953
loading...

There is now a story in the news where a mother is insisting that her daughter is choosing "heaven" over the hospital. That little girl making this life or death decision is five years old.  This brings up so many questions that I don't think I can begin to cover it all here. Should this terminally ill child be allowed to suffer? Should a five year old be able to make this decision? What if there is no "heaven" and this kid dies in hope of a better life that never happens?  All this kid knows is what her parents told her of this wonderful place called "heaven".

Now, comes an even tougher question. Is not getting your kid medical care "abuse"? How is it you can go to jail for spanking your kid too hard and not for denying them medicine or treatment that could save their life? There is no denying that this child's suffering will end soon, but it seems wrong to me that a five year old is giving up hope in this life.

I guess most of us will have to make a life or death decision for a loved one at some point in our lives. That decision should be based purely on chances for improved health and not on any promise of "a better place" that may or may not exist. And to clarify, I have no problem telling the child there is a place with no pain in front of her, I have a problem with the parents putting such an awful choice in the mind of a five year old child.

More From KFMX FM