First Oregon, now Arizona: Religion no excuse for criminal behavior

Last week in Oregon, faith healing parents Timothy and Rebecca Wyland were found guilty of criminal neglect over failure to take their own daughter to a doctor.

The couple's daughter, Alayna, was born in December 2009 with a birthmark above her left eye that developed into abnormal growth of blood vessels, known as a hemangioma, that slowly engulfed her left eye and produced a goopy discharge. Despite the growth and accompanying loss of vision, the Wylands did not consult a doctor.

As the picture shows, this was clearly evident to the parents.

Now, New Age "guru" James Ray has been convicted of negligent homicide in the sweat lodge deaths of three people in New Age mecca Sedona, Ariz. He beat the rap on a more serious manslaughter charge, but could still get as much as 30 years in prison.

And he should, per this:

“You will have to get to a point to where you surrender and it’s O.K. to die,” Mr. Ray said in a recording during the ceremony that was played at the trial.

Unfortunately, the judge didn't remand Ray into immediate custody.

That said, next? A bunch of lawsuits against Ray. That may, though it's not likely, cut back on some of this.