So what do you get when you mix religious fanaticism with ignorance? Generally nothing good.

Occasionally we get the sad news where a child has died because a parent or parents have embraced some far-out religious belief that causes them to withhold crucial medical care from a child. They take the position that God will heal this child without the assistance of modern medical science. If the child dies, then they justify the end result as being the “will of God.”

Just over a month ago, one such case occurred in Pennsylvania. A 2-year-old died of pneumonia because of such inhumane behavior. Little Ella Foster was refused medical care by her parents Jonathan and Grace Foster because they belong to a church that does not believe in medical science. They are charged with involuntary manslaughter. Their six other children have been taken from them.

The grandfather, 72-year-old Rowland Foster, also faces charges of failing to report a suspected case of child abuse.

By the way, the grandfather is pastor of Faith Tabernacle Congregation Church.

Forensic specialists said there was a 95 percent chance the child would have survived with systematic dosages of antibiotics.

At least 27 Faith Tabernacle children since 1971 have died of preventable or treatable illnesses, according to a running tally kept by Children’s Healthcare Is a Legal Duty, an advocacy group that opposes faith-based medical neglect, according to Associated Press. Several church members have been prosecuted for failing to seek medical care for their children.

No one should try to argue that this is “freedom of religion.” This is blatant criminal endangerment. 

If an adult wants to refuse medical attention, then that’s his choice. But a child should have the opportunity to survive, grow up and then embrace their personal views when it comes to religion. This case is too often repeated, so it’s sad to say that it probably does not send a message.