Listening to Prof. Kanter on OPB. . .

Talking about the faith healing verdict in Oregon (sorry I couldn't find a local link) and the constitutional issues of having a specific criminal statute excluding faith healing as a defense to criminal liability for child neglect. Regardless of our feelings over the parents and faith healing, there are some specific First Amendment issues that he raises. Additionally, I think that he makes a good point in reminding us to all remember that criminal law deals with mens rea--as opposed to just negligence in a civil case--for those people who may be upset over the verdict.

Of course, this doesn't mean that I necessarily agree with the verdict. . . but the constitutional issues are very important to consider from a broader perspective. Also, I won't say anything about religion, since I didn't add the tag. I don't have the time or the patience to discuss religion in the careful manner that it needs.