Assisted suicide; yes or no

[chrisy]

I'm for it. I think we should all have the right to chose. Maybe sign a piece of paper saying if this happens then... I wouldn't let a dog suffer so why should they make me let a loved one suffer.

there is a paper you can sign when you go into hospital, it is a DNR. do not resuscitate. My Dad and Stepson signed one.

 

[Jogeephus]

I'm for it. I think we should all have the right to chose. Maybe sign a piece of paper saying if this happens then... I wouldn't let a dog suffer so why should they make me let a loved one suffer.

there is a paper you can sign when you go into hospital, it is a DNR. do not resuscitate. My Dad and Stepson signed one.

My dad had signed one but the doctors continued try and save him even though he was brain dead. I forget how much it was costing to keep him on life support but it was horrendous. My mom had to go to the safe and get the papers to show the hospital what his wishes were. After showing them the papers, they still would not listen and kept him on support - said we might change our minds. Mom had to get our family attorney to go and explain things to them. This is just what my mom needed, all this red tape at such a terrible time. I have signed one myself and hope my children will abide by wishes. Living and quality of living are two different things in my opinion.

 

[branDcalf]

Not a good example, but, focusing on the question; Yes, I am for it.

I like the "5 Wishes" guide adopted by most states. Mine are filed in my area hospitals.

I don't like that if I'm in an accident, I will automatically be resuscitated, tubed, vented, etc. I'm looking into some type of bracelet I've heard you can wear that will let EMTs know your preferences for DNR before they start romping on ya'.

Working around the country, I see huge differences in what is acceptable for pain relief and how far people will go to keep someone alive. Big differences between rural and urban attitudes, too.

 

[Victoria]

I have to say that this poll shocked me. I thought the majority on here were Christians and I also thought the majority of Christians did not believe in assisted suicide. People are not animals. We have a right to kill an animal because God gave man dominion over the animals. He did not give man dominion over man. He reserves the right to take and give life. We do not have that right. I have watched people die horrible deaths. My grandmother influenced a group of nurses strongly because even through pain she remained in good joy and when the end did finally come she was happy to be going home. What a witness for the nurses! I may have a horrible death and I do not want anyone to "put me out of my misery" instead I pray that God will give me the courage to be a good witness to others about how I can trust in my Father even when I am in pain and not have to take matters into my own hands. The time of pain, even if years is but a moment when compared with eternity.
I didn't read the article. I do not believe in assisted suicide in any case. Murder is murder even if you put a pretty title on it. Kind of like "Every child a wanted child."
I also agree with the poster that said that who knows how far it will go if made legal - people killing off relatives to get their money even when they are healthy. If you don't think it would go that far I point again to the abortion issue.

 

[angie1]

The majority of Christians are compassionate people. I voted yes. Rather than judging the decisions of others, I am grateful that I haven't had to walk in their shoes.

 

[Brute 23]

Funny how when a person is on life support in a hospital the family can legaly pull the plug. That to me is no differant than legal killing. Don't understand why pulling the plug is ok but compasionate assisted suicide is not. At least with the assisted suicide the sick person has a choice in the matter.

I have had to make that choice with my family and it is the worse thing I have ever experienced in my life. The "what ifs" are always on your mind.

I think if a person is in that much pain they should have the option.

 

[AngusLimoX]

Thou Shalt not Kill

Before Victoria posted I thought I was on a different board.

Funny how folks can rant about how socities values are being degraded and turn around and trivialize the most sacred of the 10 commandments.

ALX

( "Assisted" suicide should be mandatory for all convicted child molesters though :lol: ).

 

[branDcalf]

I have to say that this poll shocked me. I thought the majority on here were Christians and I also thought the majority of Christians did not believe in assisted suicide. People are not animals. We have a right to kill an animal because God gave man dominion over the animals. He did not give man dominion over man. He reserves the right to take and give life. We do not have that right.

I will agree with this to a point, but will ask: If God has the right to take and give life, what are the medical professionals and tech companies doing with this ability they now have to prolong life artificially? Ventilators and forced feeding. Vaso-pumps to force circulation in a person's extremities. And why do some medical facilities have protocols (recipe-like rules) that deny the suffering pain relief? They claim to be afraid someone will become dependent on pain meds (how cruel for a person in end-stage whatever), but have no problem making the patient dependent on their mechanical/medicinal interventions.

Why are some people so afraid of death, or why are some of their families so bent on keeping their poor loved one what they consider "alive?' Personally, it seems like an insult to God, considering His promises regarding the afterlife!

 

[Tod Dague]

I have to say that this poll shocked me. I thought the majority on here were Christians and I also thought the majority of Christians did not believe in assisted suicide. People are not animals. We have a right to kill an animal because God gave man dominion over the animals. He did not give man dominion over man. He reserves the right to take and give life. We do not have that right.

I will agree with this to a point, but will ask: If God has the right to take and give life, what are the medical professionals and tech companies doing with this ability they now have to prolong life artificially? Ventilators and forced feeding. Vaso-pumps to force circulation in a person's extremities. And why do some medical facilities have protocols (recipe-like rules) that deny the suffering pain relief? They claim to be afraid someone will become dependent on pain meds (how cruel for a person in end-stage whatever), but have no problem making the patient dependent on their mechanical/medicinal interventions.

Why are some people so afraid of death, or why are some of their families so bent on keeping their poor loved one what they consider "alive?' Personally, it seems like an insult to God, considering His promises regarding the afterlife!

If God wants you dead now you can't stop it.

I've worked with a number of hospice patients. I haven't seen one that we were not able to relieve the suffering with out killing them. I don't see much dignity in suicide. I've also seen botched suicide attempts. It's not a pretty sight.

It's one thing to except one's fate it is a whole other to have taken it on your own.

 

[branDcalf]

Hospice is a whole different setting that the long-term acute care settings where people, or their families/SOs/medical powers of attorney continue trying and chasing every possible treatment to avoid the inevitable.

I do agree that medicine has advanced to where pain relief is possible without causing death, but, I can tell you many docs and nurses are loathe to use the tools available. I am very glad that JHACO and state oversight agencies are looking closely at pain assessments because of this.

I have worked in both.

 

[GMN]

I have to say that this poll shocked me. I thought the majority on here were Christians and I also thought the majority of Christians did not believe in assisted suicide. People are not animals. We have a right to kill an animal because God gave man dominion over the animals. He did not give man dominion over man. He reserves the right to take and give life. We do not have that right. I have watched people die horrible deaths. My grandmother influenced a group of nurses strongly because even through pain she remained in good joy and when the end did finally come she was happy to be going home. What a witness for the nurses! I may have a horrible death and I do not want anyone to "put me out of my misery" instead I pray that God will give me the courage to be a good witness to others about how I can trust in my Father even when I am in pain and not have to take matters into my own hands. The time of pain, even if years is but a moment when compared with eternity.
I didn't read the article. I do not believe in assisted suicide in any case. Murder is murder even if you put a pretty title on it. Kind of like "Every child a wanted child."
I also agree with the poster that said that who knows how far it will go if made legal - people killing off relatives to get their money even when they are healthy. If you don't think it would go that far I point again to the abortion issue.

I think this is all about the quality of ones life, a personal choice, not a religious one.

GMN

 

[kickinbull]

but what about Hospice? They are alreading doing it!

 

[Tod Dague]

but what about Hospice? They are alreading doing it!

Reread my post.

 

[Mahoney Pursley Ranch]

Funny how when a person is on life support in a hospital the family can legaly pull the plug. That to me is no differant than legal killing. Don't understand why pulling the plug is ok but compasionate assisted suicide is not. At least with the assisted suicide the sick person has a choice in the matter.

I have had to make that choice with my family and it is the worse thing I have ever experienced in my life. The "what ifs" are always on your mind.

I think if a person is in that much pain they should have the option.

I am sorry you have had to make that decision. Part of my point was the "what if" situation. There are cases where people have been ill or even in a coma for a very long time,considered "dead" for all practical purposes and have returned to a fruitful if not normal life. To those who tried to explain to me the "differance",I am well aware of the differance between pulling the plug and assisted suicide. In either case it is a very very difficult decision to make. I hope I am never faced with that decision with my loved ones. When I was a Navy Hospital Corpsman in Viet Nam it was procedure to attend to the least badly wounded first to get them back to battle and to let the badly wounded that would die even if treated for last. Not treating the ones that did not know they were going to die was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life.

 

[Brute 23]

Funny how when a person is on life support in a hospital the family can legaly pull the plug. That to me is no differant than legal killing. Don't understand why pulling the plug is ok but compasionate assisted suicide is not. At least with the assisted suicide the sick person has a choice in the matter.

I have had to make that choice with my family and it is the worse thing I have ever experienced in my life. The "what ifs" are always on your mind.

I think if a person is in that much pain they should have the option.

I am sorry you have had to make that decision. Part of my point was the "what if" situation. There are cases where people have been ill or even in a coma for a very long time,considered "dead" for all practical purposes and have returned to a fruitful if not normal life. To those who tried to explain to me the "differance",I am well aware of the differance between pulling the plug and assisted suicide. In either case it is a very very difficult decision to make. I hope I am never faced with that decision with my loved ones. When I was a Navy Hospital Corpsman in Viet Nam it was procedure to attend to the least badly wounded first to get them back to battle and to let the badly wounded that would die even if treated for last. Not treating the ones that did not know they were going to die was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life.

The what if is always there and you hope that some miracle will come about.... BUT when you see you loved one there unable to move or act in any way you have to think of how they would want to live. My family member would not have wanted to stay like that. That is not who they were.

So I could see where some one would request for assisted suicide.

 

[Victoria]

The majority of Christians are compassionate people. I voted yes. Rather than judging the decisions of others, I am grateful that I haven't had to walk in their shoes.

Christians should be trying to be as much like Christ as possible. Jesus was very compassionate. He loved people and Christians should be the same way. However we should never forget that God is Holy. There is right and there is wrong and He has defined them for us.
If someone steals I willl say it is wrong, if someone committs adultery I will say it is wrong and if someone murders I will say it is wrong. Do I have compassion for the people who are faced with watching a loved one in pain. Yes, very much so but going against what God has told us to do is never the answer, even if it seems like the easy way out.

 

[Victoria]

I have to say that this poll shocked me. I thought the majority on here were Christians and I also thought the majority of Christians did not believe in assisted suicide. People are not animals. We have a right to kill an animal because God gave man dominion over the animals. He did not give man dominion over man. He reserves the right to take and give life. We do not have that right.

I will agree with this to a point, but will ask: If God has the right to take and give life, what are the medical professionals and tech companies doing with this ability they now have to prolong life artificially? Ventilators and forced feeding. Vaso-pumps to force circulation in a person's extremities. And why do some medical facilities have protocols (recipe-like rules) that deny the suffering pain relief? They claim to be afraid someone will become dependent on pain meds (how cruel for a person in end-stage whatever), but have no problem making the patient dependent on their mechanical/medicinal interventions.

Why are some people so afraid of death, or why are some of their families so bent on keeping their poor loved one what they consider "alive?' Personally, it seems like an insult to God, considering His promises regarding the afterlife!

Ah, maybe those people don't have Jesus and that is WHY they are afraid of God's promises about the afterlife.

 

[Victoria]

I have to say that this poll shocked me. I thought the majority on here were Christians and I also thought the majority of Christians did not believe in assisted suicide. People are not animals. We have a right to kill an animal because God gave man dominion over the animals. He did not give man dominion over man. He reserves the right to take and give life. We do not have that right. I have watched people die horrible deaths. My grandmother influenced a group of nurses strongly because even through pain she remained in good joy and when the end did finally come she was happy to be going home. What a witness for the nurses! I may have a horrible death and I do not want anyone to "put me out of my misery" instead I pray that God will give me the courage to be a good witness to others about how I can trust in my Father even when I am in pain and not have to take matters into my own hands. The time of pain, even if years is but a moment when compared with eternity.
I didn't read the article. I do not believe in assisted suicide in any case. Murder is murder even if you put a pretty title on it. Kind of like "Every child a wanted child."
I also agree with the poster that said that who knows how far it will go if made legal - people killing off relatives to get their money even when they are healthy. If you don't think it would go that far I point again to the abortion issue.

I think this is all about the quality of ones life, a personal choice, not a religious one.

GMN

There is no such thing as an issue that is not a religious issue. God is involved in all aspects of life, not just the ones we choose. Every choice we make should be made in the light of Christ. My pastor told us something I will never forget one day. He said that sin has a theme song "I Did It My Way." (Too bad viagra stole it). It's true though, when we take our eyes off what God wants us to do and focus on what we want to do (personal choice) we get in trouble and we get selfish.

 

[Brute 23]

For the people who are christian and don't believe in it they can choose not to have it done.

For those who would like it, maybe not christians, I think it should be a legal option for them.

I would imagine in other cultures it is acceptable.

 

[Victoria]

For the people who are christian and don't believe in it they can choose not to have it done.

For those who would like it, maybe not christians, I think it should be a legal option for them.

I would imagine in other cultures it is acceptable.

In other cultures female genital mutilation is acceptable too.
For a moment let's take Christianity and what is morally right and wrong out of the discussion. Think about this point and if you want to read 11 other problems with assisted suicide then check out the link below. This was submitted to the Canadian Senate and makes no mention of religion. This one though seemed to match what you said - it is an option for most people to kill themselves if they so choose. Committing suicide doesn't need to be made legal. A dead person can't be convicted of a crime.

People with illnesses and disabilities are able to make decisions about suicide but physically unable to carry out those decisions. In fact, very few people have disabilities or illnesses that make it impossible for them to commit unassisted suicide. The great majority of people with illnesses or disabilities are perfectly capable of committing suicide by the same means employed by other individuals. Many of those whose physical condition would make it impossible for them to commit suicide without help are also unable to make the decision for themselves (e.g., in a coma). Some people with advance neurological disease or high level spinal cord injuries may be physically incapable of holding a gun or drowning themselves, but even these individuals have a right to refuse food or treatment under current law. While such a method of suicide may be less preferred, it is nonetheless effective. There may be cases where no method is available to a fully competent person, but if such cases exist, they are extremely rare.

For more:http://www.normemma.com/euth12rsns.htm