Idaho’s Faith-Healing Law Shielded Parents as 15 Children Died

A devastating ProPublica investigation found that at least 15 babies and children connected to Idaho’s Followers of Christ sect died between 2015 and 2025 from conditions doctors could have treated. The true number is likely higher, and at least five sets of parents lost multiple children—including newborn brothers Malachi and Liam, who died 13 months apart. Since the 1970s, Idaho’s faith-healing exemption has shielded parents who pray instead of obtaining medical care, even as the sect reportedly pressures members to avoid doctors or risk being shunned. Oregon eliminated its exemption decades ago and more parents began seeking treatment, but Idaho lawmakers have repeatedly refused to follow suit. Religion does not give parents the right to let helpless children suffer from treatable illnesses. This isn’t religious freedom; it’s state-sanctioned neglect. This is a clip from my recent livestream: https://youtube.com/live/SLtXTmBViYw The article this is based on is here: https://www.propublica.org/article/faith-healing-idaho-deaths-followers-of-christ Join my channel to get access to special perks! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsgjnUBCB9xbUXQfMg0pd8A/join ✔ Please support what I do: https://www.patreon.com/hemant ✔ You can also make a one-time donation here: https://paypal.me/FriendlyAtheist ✔ Website: http://www.friendlyatheist.com/ ✔ Contact: [email protected] ✔ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@friendly.atheist ✔ Twitter: https://twitter.com/HemantMehta ✔ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/friendlyatheist.com ✔ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/friendly-atheist-podcast/id888637335 ✔ Instagram: https://instagram.com/friendly.atheist/ ✔ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friendlyatheist/ ✔ Amazon: https://amzn.to/2mMNzNs (My affiliate link) ✔ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mpromptu ✔ Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/FriendlyAtheist