I'm not sure how I feel about this

Teen can't stop blood transfusion, says judge

The story is about a young girl, 14 years old Jehova's Witness who has cancer. She has accepted Chemo and other medical treatments and will accept amputation to save her life but does not want a transfusion based on religious beliefs.

Courts have ruled she MUST have the transfusion if needed and she has been made a ward of the Province.

I am conflicted on this. Personally I am glad she will be getting the treatment she requires to save her life. The courts determined that as a teen she has not yet achieved the maturity required to make this life and death decision for herself stating "that freedom of religion is not absolute". She is still very much in the control of the adult around her who are very devout in their faith, and their influence is obvious.

However ..... attitudes often change after one reaches adulthood and begins making their own life decisions. I for one did not totally accept I was an atheist until sometime in my twenties, for 15 years prior I was an agnostic of varying degrees depending on my hormones I guess and as a young child I would have classed myself as a believer, mostly cause it was comforting to think of guardian angels and all that nice stuff. My point is as we age our view often change, they don't ALWAYS change, but I would suggest that they change often enough that this ruling is the correct one.

This girl needs time to fully understand her faith. The sad part is her faith does not allow it, nor does her illness. I guess what really bothers me about this is that part of me feels that if she DOESN'T change her views upon maturity then we have violated her rights. It's a damned if you do and damned if you don't scenario .... literally.

Just another reason I have such a hard time with religion and all that god stuff. There are just too many attributes thrown around willy nilly regarding god's take on all this stuff. One god is kind and loving and the next is all vengeful and demanding.

I wish this girl's god were more understanding. I fear no matter what the outcome no good has been done here this day. Sometimes doing the right thing isn't enough and that pisses me off.

I wish her the best and I hope the need for a transfusion never occurs.

IA