Parents Settle Lawsuit Against Evangelical Church over Forced Baptism of Special Needs Son

[yortsed snacilbuper]

Painesville, OH—Today, the civil rights organization American Atheists announced that clients April and Gregg DeFibaugh have successfully settled their lawsuit against a local church, pastor, youth mentoring organization, and former volunteer mentor. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

The lawsuit, filed in the Lake County Ohio Court of Common Pleas, alleged that the defendants were responsible for the forced baptism of the DeFibaughs’ son, who is disabled. As alleged, the full immersion baptism, which occurred on August 28, 2016, left the boy traumatized with severe anxiety and recurring nightmares of drowning, preventing him from sleeping by himself.

“Although no settlement or verdict could undo the anguish their son suffered, the DeFibaughs are pleased with the outcome,” said Geoffrey Blackwell, American Atheists’ Litigation Counsel. “They are glad that he will not have to go through the ordeal of a trial.”

“We applaud the defendants’ decision to settle this case and allow the family to move forward,” said Cleveland-based attorney Kenneth D. Myers, who collaborated with American Atheists in representing the DeFibaughs. “Everyone, whether a pastor or a volunteer mentor, must respect the family’s values.”

Stigma and discrimination against nonreligious people is widespread in the United States, and Ohio nonbelievers are no different. American Atheists’ U.S. Secular Survey, the largest ever data collection project on secular Americans, found that nonreligious Ohioans face a significant amount of stigma.

“Unfortunately, nonreligious families like the DeFibaughs too often face discrimination and disapproval because of the choices they make in raising their children,” said American Atheists’ President Nick Fish.

For example, nearly one third (29.4%) of U.S. Secular Survey participants or their children had negative experiences at school due to their nonreligious identity. Of those who experienced this discrimination in education, there was a 21.5% higher rate of likely depression.

“While we hope the settlement brings a sense of closure to the family, the fight to ensure the most basic rights for our community continues with the mental health of millions of Americans at stake,” added Fish.

https://www.atheists.org/2020/05/child-forced-baptism-settlement/?bblinkid=226388431&bbemailid=22229447&bbejrid=1524244231

[Goodheart]

1. When my son was in high school he got baptized without my knowledge.

I'm an atheist. So is my son (who is now 35). He was pressured into doing it, and the baptism was witnessed by several classmates and their parents.

I was angry, but he asked me not to raise a fuss, so I didn't. In the end it's just a nonsensical ritual.

HOWEVER...

You just can NOT force that upon a disabled child. I hope they sued that church out of existence.

[FreeState]

2. Don't you have to be 18?

I was raised Mormon* and was a missionary, we couldn’t teach anyone under 18 or baptize them without parent permission (I assumed this was the law - I wasn’t in the US at the time though).

*I am no longer a believer or member of any faith.

[Goodheart]

3. I doubt it's a law in South Carolina.

I didn't even look into it.

It was the wife of the pastor/minister/whatever of a competing church who alerted be to the baptism. LOL

[FreeState]

4. Wow good for her

I can’t think of anything more disrespectful than converting a minor without their parents knowledge.

[hunter]

5. My mom was Jehovah's Witness when I was a kid.

Sitting out the bullshit morning flag salute in school was sometimes rough.

I wouldn't be half the asshole I am today if I hadn't been smacked about as a child by the patriotic Christian evangelicals of the U.S.A..

Eventually I decided they already live in their own little self-made hells and I am utterly beyond their reach.

[3catwoman3]

6. If the parents are atheists, why was there any...

...church involvement with their son?