Just What's A Canker Sore
9 years ago
Friday, June 19, 2009
Wow I hear you saying.
A far cry from the Snuggie topics of late.
A little more serious than I have been tacking lately, but something I've been thinking about.
No I'm not dying. No I don't want to die. There is no hidden agenda here!
I just think it's a really contentious issue that needs to be talked about more.
I've been reading up on Dr Philip Nitschke and his campaigning for the legalisation of euthanasia.
Some thoughts:
First up I want to state that I fundamentally disagree with Dr Nitschke on the issue of euthanasia. I’m not here to bash him with words or say how bad he is. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Let me premise this with my stance. My faith leads me to believe that all life is sacred and that no one has the right to take it away. I believe that God created life and no one has the right to decide when a life should end.
However, I realise that this is a contentious issue and there is a lot of grey area. I am not pretending that it is a black and white issue where no discussion should be entered into. I think it is an important dialogue to have, and Dr Nitschke has facilitated that over the years. It’s easy for me to sit back and say I disagree with euthanasia because I don’t know anyone who wants the option to decide when their life ends because of a terminal illness. I know that for those living with these decisions it is far more complicated.
There are endless factors that influence the thinking around this issue and we all need to have understanding and compassion when it comes to talking about euthanasia.
I believe Dr Nitschke is a good and compassionate man. While I disagree with the outcome of his thinking, I know that he is seeking to do the right thing and help people in dire situations. I know he just wants to help people and restore some of their dignity in their final choice. I applaud him for that.
I’m sure he gets an awful lot of opposition and hate mail from those who oppose euthanasia, but I wanted to say something positive about him from someone who disagrees. Within disagreement there is a vital place for open dialogue.
Seeing his interview with Andrew Denton (when it aired) really helped me understand his motivation and his heart for helping people who have no means to help themselves. That is an admirable quality.
I think we need an ongoing dialogue about euthanasia because it is an important issue that affects a lot of people.
Heavy I know, but thoughts?
12 Comments:
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My stance is basically the same as yours...and I agree that it should be talked about more and would add that the church could definitely play a bigger role in promoting the sanctity of life...
Admittedly I don't know a whole lot about euthanasia, but I think there is a lot to be said about dying with some dignity when you choose, rather then wasting away in pain and making those around you suffer with you.
I'm firmly on the fence because I simply cannot choose only one side. I feel that the only reasonable way to view this is on a case by case basis. There are those who just selfishly want to quit and shouldn't be allowed to and others who are old and in constant pain and want to move on but keep them alive in hospitals.
Just outright allowing it as an option for so many people would be disastrous, but not doing so results in equally tragic cases existing.
But, in relation to this issue, I have been thinking about the taking of life and it's relation to evil. I'm not even entirely sure about that anymore. Jesus never had to fight in a war to defend those who could defend themselves, World War II being the war that comes to mind.
A further extension of the issue causes me to recall an argument for abortion I heard the other day. They said that the early stages of the fetus weren't a real human being yet because they couldn't survive without the mother. Then what about people just out of surgery who can't survive without machines? What about people in pain that we keep alive with those same machines when they'd just die without them?
No one should have to make these decisions. These greys were never meant to exist...
I love hearing how people see this issue.
This is why I think it's so contentious, because I totally see the point Naomi is making.
Why shouldn't we allow people the right to choose when they die if they are inconstant pain from a terminal illness? Who are we to tell them what to do?
BUT!
Who are we to say when a life should end? How could we possibly make a decision so vital and so final? How can anyone make sure a hugh decision, or say that anyone else is justified in doing so?
Argh! So hard!
THe only thing that helps me come to a conclusion is my belief in the sanctity of life as I see it through my faith. Because God created life, only he knows when it will end and we should never take that from anyone, or say they should.
But then what if people have a death sentence because of a disease and are going to die in pain, with little dignity. How dare we rob them of control over their own life. Aren't we just pushing our agenda on them then?
As you can see, I am seriously conflicted about the issue.
But either way, I think we should talk about it more, it's not something to be swept under the carpet. People who want this right are obviously desperate and have a right to be heard and taken seriously.
Since when was the law about enforcing one person's morals on another?
I don't believe laws should ever stop people from doing anything, unless it impacts others freedom. (Crime, Abortion etc) ESPECIALLY where there are clear cases where it is the best course.
Gay marriage, Euthanasia, Smoking - who are we to stop people choosing things for themselves?
If God doesn't stop people from making bad decisions, then who are we? How do we know if they are a bad decision or not?
And who brought up abortion? One topic at a time! Please!
Great thoughts!
Who are we to tell others what to do?
But the issue comes when it impacts on someone else. Hence the reason we have laws and jails.
But euthanasia is a different one for me. Not so clear cut. Because it's not just a choice in life (although it sort of it), it's a choice to end life. I think it's a much more serious issue than allowing people to smoke.
Mutt, does that mean illegal drugs should be legalised? Should it just be up to the person if they want to take them?
Wait, that's another issue... Same topic though of personal freedom I guess.
Addictive drugs that alter people's behaviour to become dangerous does.
If all drugs did was damage people's own body, then yes they should be legalized... to people old enough to choose for themselves.
Isn't it then another's responsibility to step in and discern and make a decision on their behalf?
Good point Mutt, but I still struggle with the idea that's it's fine for someone to end a life. Not matter the circumstances, but then I agree with you too! ARGH!
Law is about Justice and Freedom, not enforcing a particular way of life.
Are we talking about the law here? Or are we talking about morals?
Legally:
As long as someone is able to make a decision, and it doesn't affect others - then it should be legal.
Morally:
God will lead others as he sees fit. I don't think it's right or useful to decide what's morally acceptable for anyone but ourselves. (Romans 14)
That's when you get into unsolvable grey areas, and why making context-free rules fail with specifics. Only God can calculate the innumerable variables involved.
If the time comes, then you can pray and take proper context into account - just like any situation.
Also: I tried, but I can't sound more supercilious.