UDPATE, April 28, 2008: Parents in diabetes case charged
The parents of an 11-year-old girl who died of complications from untreated diabetes last month have both been charged with second-degree reckless homicide, according to Marathon County District Attorney Jill Falstad.
...In a statement released at a 1 p.m. news conference, Falstad said the parents' actions meet the standard of the charges.
"Second-degree reckless homicide has two elements," Falstad said. "The first element is that the defendant caused the death of another. The second element is that the defendant caused the death by criminally reckless conduct.
"In this case, that conduct was the failure to seek medical intervention. The failure to seek medical intervention created unreasonable and substantial risk of death or great bodily harm to Kara and the Neumanns were aware of the risk."
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The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports:
The night before 11-year-old Madeline Kara Neumann died of complications from diabetes, her Town of Weston family prayed over the telephone with the founder of the AmericasLastDays.com Web site, the founder said today.
David Eells, whose Unleavened Bread Ministries operates the site, said that on Saturday that he was asked by an "elder" to call Kara's parents, Dale and Leilani Neumann, to pray for their daughter. Leilani Neumann had written several posts on the Web site, which focuses on healing and the apocalypse.
...Eells said he also received a call from the Neumanns on Sunday as the family "followed an emergency vehicle with Kara in it. They told me that she had stopped breathing and asked if I would pray that the Lord would spare her and raise her up, which I did."
Kara's mother Leilani Neumann claims that the family doesn't belong to an organized religion. She says that they aren't fanatics and have nothing against doctors.
Really? I guess that comes down to how one defines "fanatic."
The family's connection with David Eells and Leilani Neumann's participation on the website makes me doubt her claims.
In my view, the Unleavened Bread Ministries website caters to End Times fanatics.
Read the press release from David Eells.
We at UBM would like to clear up some misconceptions from what we know, which is little. :o)
That's unusual. I don't typically see emoticons used in press releases.
Dale and Leilani Neumann from Wisconsin contacted one of our elders to ask that I (David Eells) call them to pray for their daughter. That elder got in touch with me Saturday evening and I called the Neumanns. To my knowledge this was the first time I had spoken to them other than by a few emails over the last few years and posting a testimony on our site from their ministry. It has been reported that they are "under" our ministry but they have had their own coffee house ministry for a few years in which they share the Gospel and we are glad of their work in The Lord.
They seem to be a very loving family who want to walk in the steps of Jesus, as do we. When I called they shared concern for their daughter, Kara, who had started getting sick in just the last day or so (not as is reported for the last 30 days). They asked me to pray and agree with them in prayer, basically because she appeared pale and listless (not a quote). They did not seem overly concerned because they had had healings before. This is not an unusual kind of request to us. I and our elders and prayer ministers are used to praying for the sick and have seen many healed by our Lord. We do not dictate to people about whether to go to the doctor or not but agree with their faith as the Bible says: {Matthew 18:19} Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven. We are not commanded in scripture to send people to the doctor but to meet their needs through prayer and faith. As anyone here in the ministry will tell you, we are not against doctors for those who have their faith there and never condemn or restrict them in any way. But we know that the best one to trust in for healing is Jesus Christ. The foundation for receiving this benefit from Him is repentance and faith in His promises. {1Peter 2:24} who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.
Jesus, whose faith was perfect, gave healing to anyone who had faith and still does. {Mt.8:13} And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; as thou hast believed, [so] be it done unto thee. And the servant was healed in that hour. ... {9:22} But Jesus turning and seeing her said, Daughter, be of good cheer; thy faith hath made thee whole. ... {29} Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it done unto you. {30} And their eyes were opened. I am very sorry that I have not yet manifested the faith of Jesus or his discernment when someone else has the repentance and faith needed. However, even in my weakness God's grace has healed many.
The day after I first spoke with the Neumanns they called me again from their car, very concerned as they followed an emergency vehicle with Kara in it. They told me that she had stopped breathing and asked if I would pray that The Lord would spare her and raise her up, which I did. I called on our prayer ministers and elders to pray for her too. The next thing I heard from them was that they were being investigated, which is sad since they don’t investigate the people who put their trust in doctors whose family members die by the hundreds of thousands from medical mistakes every year, according the AMA's own admission. We know that the doctors do the best they can with what they have and we do not condemn them. We would like the same consideration.
That is lame on a number of counts.
Of course, the Neumanns should be investigated. Their daughter possibly died as a result of their neglect. Our society demands that such an occurrence be investigated.
Eells notes that people die because of mistakes made by doctors. True, people do die from doctors' mistakes. Then, the doctors' actions are investigated. They often get sued for their negligence. We most certainly do condemn doctors for errors. They are held accountable. Doctors aren't given a pass without a trial.
When Christians begin to put their trust in The Lord they are as babes learning to walk in a new Kingdom. Sometimes we stumble because of lack of faith or repentance in an area but hopefully we correct this and get back up. 'The righteous shall live by faith.' Those who do not know Jesus through being born of His Word think it is a terrible thing to die and it is for them. Jesus called dying 'entering into life' for those who know Him. Real life is in the Kingdom of Heaven and in the presence of our Lord and He can't wait for that. {Psalms 116:15} Precious in the sight of Jehovah is the death of his saints. A few of God's people have temporarily stepped into that realm and did not want to come back but had more work to do. We are sure Kara does not want to come back but we have asked God to send her for her parents' sake and as a testimony of His love for us.
I'm not sure I understand this: "A few of God's people have temporarily stepped into that realm and did not want to come back but had more work to do. We are sure Kara does not want to come back but we have asked God to send her for her parents' sake and as a testimony of His love for us."
What does that mean? Is Eells saying that they are praying that God bring Kara back to life on earth?
At best we are poor representatives of our Lord but we love him and seek to walk in His steps for ourselves and mankind’s sake. We expect to grow in wisdom and stature in Him and do a better job in the future. Please pray for the Neumanns who do not deserve this persecution. Please pray for us that we would better represent our Father. Please pray for America to repent and turn to the Jesus of the Bible.
Thanks for you patience and understanding.
Love from your servant in Christ,
David Eells
P.S.: We may update this as time goes by.
Again, this is a weird press release.
Most press releases don't conclude with a P.S.
I agree that the Neumanns need prayers. Their daughter is dead because they didn't get her the medical care she needed to save her life. I imagine that their suffering must be unbearable.
Eells says the Neumanns don't deserve this persecution.
Kara didn't deserve to die from a treatable illness.
Regarding his press release, I think Eells is bordering on exploiting the death of Kara Neumann to promote his ministry.
What's with calling for "America to repent and turn to the Jesus of the Bible"?
This press release is much more than getting out the facts about Eells' involvement with the Neumann family. It reveals a fanaticism.
9 comments:
Unfortunately we have family caught up with this guy and his teachings - following him and his doctrine.
If you go to the website and listen to the bible study on healings and Dr.'s, David Eells clearly describes how his dad - a chain smoker of 40 plus years had part of his lung removed. THE DR - who I guess did an EKG, etc. said his heart was healthy...put him on cortisones (this helps w/ lung function - much like dealing with asthma, etc.) David claims that a month later his Dad had a heart attack. David blames the DR. and the medicine for his Dad's condition. (Nothing really about the devastation of smoking for 4 decades to OTHER organs?) Additionally, David Eells describes how his mom was taking drugs for a psychiatric disorder (be interesting to know which one - like schizophrenia perhaps?). The possible side effects of the drug were gluacoma and breast cancer - David reports. He claims the MEDICINE and Doctors made his mom sick.
This is the same old, same old argument of if you have faith; God will heal you....and if you are sick or die its b/c you didn't have enough faith or you have unconfessed sin (who doesn't - no one is perfect!) This argument picks up in pace about every 20 or 30 years or so.
Fortunately, I believe God created us to use our brains and let Him guide us to the Dr.'s and people needed to help us if we need help.
I believe in God and the power of prayer, but Eells sounds like a quack. Following at least some of what he preaches has had disastrous consequences.
I hope your family members are spared any heartbreak as a result of following Eells' teachings.
Maybe it is too late to post to this, but I will take the chance. It is the absolute height of arrogance to say with certainty that the doctors would have kept her alive. People die. Children die. Life ends. There is but one who knows the end for us all, and do you really imagine that anyone can stay his hand? He called that child home, period. But let the investigation continue, let the parents own their faith and live it out loud. They have put God in control of their lives, and so they have nothing to fear.
What no one seems to realize is that modern medicine is not a blessing--it is the wisdom of the wise confused. The little bit of success doctors have deceives everyone into running to their doctor instead of running to God. The kind of faith for miraculous healing is a gift, and if you don't have it, God may send you to a doctor, which is fine, fantastic, because first you ran to God. If you continue to look to everyone and everything else first, God will send a great deception, because you refuse to believe the truth, and therefore you may end up being one of the hundred thousand "accidentally" killed each year by medical mistakes.
I disagree with you. Modern medicine is a blessing.
I thank God for it.
Seeking medical care and turning to God are not mutually exclusive.
Be careful for that which you pray.
How do we know this life is better? And how do we act towards our brothers and sisters, based on limited conceptions. Study your holy scriptures and come to a better understanding. If not, there is ignorance of the scriptures as a consequence and self-righteousness easily bandied about with flags waving and anti-christian agendas "proven" once again. Or so it is firmly thought. Just because we don't believe gives no license to judge. Many have been healed by faith because it was for them to have been blessed so. Many have received "total healing" from this earthly life as part of their faith and their actions to pursue "healing." THEY HAVE BEEN BLESSED SO. Fear of death is what Jesus the Christ and Messieh came to destroy and, in faith He has done so. Who are we to determine otherwise and use that determination to harm the gospel of life. Do we really think, this is the only life there is? Do we really think this is not a proving ground? If not, do what you will, for all will be accountable for their actions but not by our feeble judgement. And if we persist against the "believers" in Jesus Christ to condemn them for having faith in however it turns out, then for the believers it is just the very thing about which they would be persecuted. Such will separate those who believe and those that do not. So, believer in Jesus Christ is it not ultimately for you to die and move on, or is it to hold on to this flesh, which Jesus showed us to cast off? And for who, for His sake and for not only our friends but our enemies as well however we define them. But that's okay this is just crap so disregard it if you have to ...but at what cost.
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)
There are a lot of things written here that are untrue regarding the Newmann situation and what David Eells teaches.
God is the agent of healing. Faith means you believe what the Bible promise. In the bible- Jesus and his follower did and do have authority over sickness, death and all of the power of the devil .
This is what the Bible very clearly teaches and demonstrated. There are dozens or even hundreds of people who -believing in what the bible says, and in God's power, do receive miracles.
Jesus said "Whatsoever you pray- believe that you received it and you shall have it."
I personally listen to UBM bible studies regularly and can testify that it is not a cult.
If by cult you mean controlling group, that separates you from other people, spiritually abusive...absolutely not!!
Historically, new religious movements are often called "cults." But lets look at what David teaches about the person, nature and work of Jesus Christ. That is how you would determine a cult-like view. "End times" is a biblical concept...and it is fairly mainstream to agree that we are now in the end times.
Some churches and groups do not talk about these things- but that does not deny the warnings even Jesus Christ gave.
Daniel prophesized Jesus' birth to the year...so the Lord will certainly show us something as huge as a great tribulation and the other shakings that are coming.
If you disagree- that is ok. We can still be friends in the love of God. Romans 14 tells us to give grace to believers with different understandings.
If you would consider posting a response to your blog- I can send a little background info. But please- for the sake of truth...please do some more research on what is being taught by David and UBM. My challenge to you as a journalist would be this:
1) What does David teach about healing as a part of salvation? (See the book Sovereign God for us and through us and the bible study series Real Good News)
2) Is it biblical?
3) What are some hindrances to faith as the bible teaches?
Regarding the "cult" charge;
Do you have any proof this?
And if so, before you accuse someone of sin, publically, in this case, on the internet, you should through the steps of Matt 18.
1) Show him his sin privately.
2) Take 2 or 3 witnesses.
3) Then take it before the whole church.
In this article, and the one this blog is quoting, I do not see a "sin" David has done. He is not to be blamed for Kara's death. No honest witness to the event accuse him of that.
It is true that following religious rules or law or even the teachings of your pastor- will not bring God's power. That is called "legalism" and it is extremely dangerous. It is wrong to put your faith on somesone else...so I have never heard David tell people to not go to hospitals or doctors. It is simply untrue and I have had exposure to cults. This simply is not one.
Whether or not YOU believe God heals...is a question we can look to the bible to see what it says. I know the Lord saved my dad's life and gave him a new kidney. I am utterly sure that that was the result of prayer. He almost died on the table...the Lord saved his life.
Let's not diminish the word of God, the power of God or the promises of God. AND- it is wrong to publish heresay against any one esp another Christian.
God is the agent of healing. Faith means you believe what the Bible promise. In the bible- Jesus and his follower did and do have authority over sickness, death and all of the power of the devil .
This is what the Bible very clearly teaches and demonstrated. There are dozens or even hundreds of people who -believing in what the bible says, and in God's power, do receive miracles.
Jesus said "Whatsoever you pray- believe that you received it and you shall have it."
I personally listen to UBM bible studies regularly and can testify that it is not a cult.
If by cult you mean controlling group, that separates you from other people, spiritually abusive...absolutely not!!
Historically, new religious movements are often called "cults." But lets look at what David teaches about the person, nature and work of Jesus Christ. That is how you would determine a cult-like view. "End times" is a biblical concept...and it is fairly mainstream to agree that we are now in the end times.
Some churches and groups do not talk about these things- but that does not deny the warnings even Jesus Christ gave.
Daniel prophesized Jesus' birth to the year...so the Lord will certainly show us something as huge as a great tribulation and the other shakings that are coming.
If you disagree- that is ok. We can still be friends in the love of God. Romans 14 tells us to give grace to believers with different understandings.
If you would consider posting a response to your blog- I can send a little background info. But please- for the sake of truth...please do some more research on what is being taught by David and UBM.
The former elders that David Eells selected before July 2011 did a Mat. 18:15-17; on David Eells. David Eells would not hear his elders in verse 15, David did not have the assembly local UBM church to judge the matter. Verses 16, and 17 were not obeyed or done. The written charges were written or established. David wanted more time to prepare his case, and get his witnesses. The UBM Admin requested a vote. The present UBMers were controlled and manipulated to vote in majority. David E. made his long speech, and nothing scripture was done. David did not want to be over ruled by brethren. David was not correctedable, and a law to himself. I witness the same tactics in Aug. 2013. David did not righteously do a Mat. 18:15-17; to someone else, David E. threatened the brother to police arrest if he attended the church meeting about himself in verse 17, of Mat. 18. David's reason the brother did not repent. Yet David's most claims were not established. David's reasons to appeal to the local police. Since David E. claims for himself like Paul in the book of Acts could appeal to Caesar or the government punishment of evil doers. David could not gain a brother, no forgiveness, or turning a check. Paul in the book of Acts was physical beaten at times, and people made a oath not to drink or eat until Paul was dead. No way, can David E. compared to the apostle Paul in the book of Acts. David E. was just out to put the brother out of the local UBM church in TN. This Mat. procedure 18:15-17; happen to me in April 2013. David E. did not really fear God and I was persuaded. So I left UBM in TN after the April 2013 UBM church meeting when David E. again did not obey or do God's written words righteously. Chung Lam Sr. aka:ticklemanfrank@yahoo.com.
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