I'm not sure if this topic has been discussed at length in this forum but I am wondering what folks here think of Euthanasia and assisted suicide. I, for one, am completely for it if limited to those with degenerative, terminal diseases and are over the age of consent. I can't see any drawbacks to allowing people to choose whether they should live in pain or die in peace. Who are we to tell them that they must suffer for the remainder of their lives? Can anyone explain and support why it still remains illegal in nearly all developed nations?
Originally posted by darvlayI think the trick is in the definition of 'degenerative, terminal diseases.'
I'm not sure if this topic has been discussed at length in this forum but I am wondering what folks here think of Euthanasia and assisted suicide. I, for one, am completely for it if limited to those with degenerative, terminal diseases and are over the age of consent. I can't see any drawbacks to allowing people to choose whether they should live in pai ...[text shortened]... s? Can anyone explain and support why it still remains illegal in nearly all developed nations?
I mean, would being quadrapalegic count? What about having muscular
dystrophy? What about a pianist having a few fingers amputated because
of frostbite or diabetes? What about a lady with depression who wants to
kill herself because her life is literally as (mentally) pained as a person
with bone cancer?
Where is the line for being for its being 'ok' or 'not ok?'
I'm not taking a side here, but the way in which you phrase your question
seems to be confusing to me.
Nemesio
Originally posted by NemesioI agree, the definition is important. Let's define when it would be ethically unobjectable to seek out an assisted suicide. By terminal, I mean that you are going to die from the disease. i.e. AIDS, cancer in its late stages, Alzheimer's. By degenerative, I mean that it ain't gonna get better, only worse. Much, much worse. I am not saying let's hand out suicides to those who cut their fingers off (to use your example of the pianist). In that case, let them do it themselves, obviously!
I think the trick is in the definition of 'degenerative, terminal diseases.'
I mean, would being quadrapalegic count? What about having muscular
dystrophy? What about a pianist having a few fingers amputated because
of frostbite or diabetes? What about a lady with depression who wants to
kill herself because her life is literally as (mentally) pai ...[text shortened]... ide here, but the way in which you phrase your question
seems to be confusing to me.
Nemesio
Originally posted by NemesioThese people don't need the help of another individual to kill themselves. Their example is not valid under a debate about Euthanasia.
What about a pianist having a few fingers amputated because
of frostbite or diabetes? What about a lady with depression who wants to
kill herself because her life is literally as (mentally) pained as a person
with bone cancer?
Nemesio
Here's a drawback for you, Darv.
What if an afflicted person is convinced by a 'caregiver' that it's best for them to end their life, their suffering? What if said caregiver has made provision for receiving part of the afflicted's estate through subterfuge? A law allowing for assisted suicide would make it even easier for predators to feed on the helpless.
Originally posted by eagles54I fail to see that that is a valid objection. Someone who would directly benefit from the person wishing to end their life could be barred from being the assistant. Problem solved.
Here's a drawback for you, Darv.
What if an afflicted person is convinced by a 'caregiver' that it's best for them to end their life, their suffering? What if said caregiver has made provision for receiving part of the afflicted's estate through subterfuge? A law allowing for assisted suicide would make it even easier for predators to feed on the helpless.
Originally posted by eagles54A definite drawback, but this is more a question of fraud than it is a question of ethics. Your post is a good example of how a less stringent system can be defrauded by a sick human being but does not convince me wholly that Euthanasia is an unethical practice. Surely guidelines could be set in place to minimise potential frauds and predators.
Here's a drawback for you, Darv.
What if an afflicted person is convinced by a 'caregiver' that it's best for them to end their life, their suffering? What if said caregiver has made provision for receiving part of the afflicted's estate through subterfuge? A law allowing for assisted suicide would make it even easier for predators to feed on the helpless.
If the person has no life outlook, (by that I mean that were they to stay alive, they would be in serious and permanent physical pain, or their mobility is removed, or they will eventually lose their ability for cognitive sentience or a combination of all three) and that the disease causing this will eventually kill them, providing that they are in a proper state of mind I believe they should have the right to choose. I have some personal experience in this subject and I can tell people like Darfius that no matter what your beliefs, the nature of being a human and what it means to endure a condition like this come before faith. Humans are not gods and I believe even Jesus asked for god to end his pain in the end.
Originally posted by darvlay“Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man.” (Genesis 9:6)
How does assisted suicide send people to hell? I challenge you to show me where in the Bible it states that it is a sin to allow someone to take your life if you permit it?
Judas and the Jailer. Neither wanted to commit suicide. Judas actually repented and sought freedom from guilt by taking back the 30 pieces of silver. But his repentance did not lead him back to God. In his suicide he rejected God and any help He might have offered. Oppositely, the Jailer listened and obeyed God’s Word and turned away from suicidal actions.
The Bible claims that God’s Word has all the information we need to have a good life on earth as well as to have hope for eternity with Him (II Peter 1:3). Thoughts of suicide are evidence that one has come to a point wherein he/she believes that there are no more answers for them. Simply put, they reject any wisdom that God might offer for their lives.
Is suicide a sin? Yes, because it is an act of rejection against the Holy God who has all the answers.
Once you are willing to admit that suicide is one form of murder, then it is straight forward to prove that murder, including suicide, is a sin. "You know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him" (I John 3:15).
Originally posted by DarfiusThat's it? There's no SPECIFIC prohibition against suicide in the Bible?
“Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man.” (Genesis 9:6)
Judas and the Jailer. Neither wanted to commit suicide. Judas actually repented and sought freedom from guilt by taking back ...[text shortened]... t no murderer has eternal life abiding in him" (I John 3:15).
EDIT: Eagles54, why should your belief on "karmic consequences' be binding on other people who don't believe in such a thing?