By Asura.Israfel 2010-03-12 21:42:49
I caught this one a little late, so here's my 2 cents:
I'm a Christan woman, but even as a Christian woman there are some things in the bible that I disagree with; such is the part about taking one's own life (within reason)
If you're laying there terminally ill, in pain or going to suffer in death, then I believe strongly that it's your right to choose when you go and how you go. We all have these idyllic thoughts about how we'll die, we all hope that it's peaceful or quick and painless (seriously, who wants to suffer?).
If an animal is terminally ill to the point that they'll suffer and be unable to take care of themselves, then they are euthanized; so I wonder -- Why not the same treatment for humans?
There was an interesting article recently on MSN.com about doctors administering extra morphine to child cancer patients who were dying, suffering, in an attempt to allow them pass peacefully, but they warned the parents that "The extra dose of morphine has a risk of stopping respiratory function; do you want us to proceed?"
It's a choice I could not imagine having to make, but I can honestly say I'd rather see someone pass peacefully than choking to death on cancerous tumors in their throat.
It's a sensitive topic to address, and it's great to see all the points of view.
for the religious side of things, we can argue til the moon drops from the sky about what would be right and wrong. As a christian I'll be the first person to admit that the bible is out-dated, inaccurate and that too many of its followers take the meaning to literally. Things like euthanasia, homosexuality were so taboo back then, so of course it's going to be down as "Thou shalt not do this! If you do then you're signing yourself up for a life in hell!" and let's not forget masturbation was evil too! But in a way I'd like to think humanity has 'grown up', opened its mind and become more enlightened (I guess this is the right word?) as to what is happening around us.
tl;dr ~ Even as a Christian woman, I think it's the persons right to choose.