The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-12-09
Let the People
Rule-and Write
Courts Uphold Christian science

10 The Editor of The Times:
Under the caption Religion Is
blamed" an article in your issue OF
the 9th inst. relating to a matter Of
guardianship OF certain children In
the Wayne county probate court. re-
quires some correction In its alhi-
sion TO Christian Science I'm connec-
ton with the case. Whatever the
motives may have been on the part
of the petitioners bringing this ac-
ton. the facts brought out In the
evidence hardly warrant the conclu-
sions and assumptions in connection
Herewith. outlined in the article In
question, concerning Christian
Science. The article would lead to
the impression that the petition to
have a guardian appointed for these
children was instituted because OF
the parents inability TO properly
care for them on account OF his re.
ligious convictions. II having been
shown that he Is a Christian Scien-
| tist.
In the FIRST place. the right OF par
ents 20 employ Christian Science
treatment for their children has
been so many times upheld by court
decisions throughout the United
States and has been so often definite
ly recognized by federal and state
statutes michigan being no excep-
tom. and this method OF treating the
sick has become so well and favor.
ably known and permanently estab-
lisLed. that the question of ones fit
ness To properly care fcr children
could not possibly hinge on that is
sue. and. as the evidence In this
case will show, II had no bearing In
the least In this instance. The thor
oughly just and equitable decision
rendered by the court in the matter.
| with the sanction and approval OF
the respondent. the father OF the
children, Is sufficient evidence that
the religion Of the parent was not
considered bar to proper guardian
ship.
Nothing In the evidence could war.
rant the statement that the mother
OF the children became insane as the
result of her religious beliefs. Moth
ing in the religion OF Christian
Science could possibly be used as an
argument 10 support such a charge.
In fact. Christian Science has been
n very potent factor In curing insan-
ity OF the very worst type and in
removing the fundamental causes
thereof in a countless number OF in
stances.
Furthermore, the statement that
the respondents religious beliefs
constituted strange story" and the
inference that they took the shape
Of religious fanaticism could have
no foundation in any OF the evidence
| brought out at the trial and nothing
appears In the evidence TO warrant
the statement that the parents be-
ileved that their baby was destined
to become the greatest exponent OF
| the Christian Science faith IN the
world" Furthermore. your article
Goes not make II clear that the death
OF the three months old child OF the
respondent occurred after its re-
movai from the homo az It's parents
to the home of the petitioners in the
| case ard that the child was In a
perfectly normal and healthy condi.
,to,, ,.bo, ~ uraS en- rornuyad
In fact the allegations that the
children were neglected by the re-
spondent and that the respondent
would be an unfit guardian for them
was not proven in the least instance
as was evidenced by the decision OF
the court in the matter.
w. d. FITZPATRICK.
Detroit. Dec. Z, 1915.