One of the major arguments against euthanasia is that "we" should leave it up to God. The ultimate decision whether someone dies or not should be taken by God. I believe that if God would exist and He would make the decision; He would also decide to have doctors euthanize patients.
But anyway...one of the questions I've always had is if we're not supposed to end lives because it's not up to us, then why is it OK that we prolong lives by giving medical care?
2007-03-18 14:18:00 · 11 answers · asked by FaZizzle 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think the real question is why have we convinced ourselves that "God wants" us to extend quantity of life over quality? What a double standard is set when we say that we do not have enough money and resources to provide routine medical care to the poor working class, but we must spend hundreds of thousands of dollars extending the life of a brain dead middle class person because we would be playing God otherwise. Pardon me, but what a crock. Aren't we already playing God by determining who is and who is not worthy of medical care in the first place? Is it better to bankrupt a family? I'm putting it in financial terms becasue that seems to get more attention, but the concept is much bigger. I think we are facing a national crisis of compassion bankruptcy. It is so much easier to get on a soap-box and point the finger at people making difficult decisions, IE, whether or not to end life support, than it is to propose solutions for greater social problems. There, now you've felt compassion for someone, doesn't that make you feel better to tell someone what they did was wrong? Meanwhile, down the block...
I am more concerned about improving the quality of life. A person has a right to a joyful life and a dignified death. I can guarantee this- whether or not it is 'acceptable', I will use my medical background to find a way to end mine and my family's suffering if things get to a terminal point. I refuse to marry anyone who would not respect my final wishes. I broke an engagement for that reason, and would do so again.
The Creator gave us brains to recognize our choices, and the wisdom to know when it is time to make that decision. Death is one of the most private acts you perform, and your covenenant is with the one who made you when your time is up, not the state.
2007-03-18 14:55:24 · answer #1 · answered by Hauntedfox 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One reason I think is that they choose to not see the contradistions in their own argument. When the first test tube baby was announced a lot of people were saying that that was playing God and that the child would be born without a soul. Now many credit this kind of making babies to God for giving us the technology to do it.
I agree with euthanasia, because I know I wouldn't want to live the last few years of my life in pain, that would be horrible I would like to have a choice. But many (I said many not all) religious people don't care about it, its a way they push their religious believes onto the rest of us. Talk about Freedom of/(from) religion.
2007-03-18 21:33:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The decision as to whether someone dies , or not has already been taken from Gods hands. We see that in Abortion, young men being sent into war to benifit society, and lethal injections in our prisons! Prolonging life in todays world doesnt seem to apply to those of us! Yet we pretend to try and prolong the life of the old, the sick, and the pittifull!
I realy dont think it makes much sense, for mankind has little respect for life!!!
2007-03-18 21:56:41 · answer #3 · answered by pszch 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a moral contradiction.
Is very humanistic to put a dog or cat to sleep when is suffering, but is OK to maintain a person in suffering (like a cancer or a decade coma).
I believe euthanasia shall be a real alternative in some cases.
2007-03-18 21:27:44 · answer #4 · answered by Lost. at. Sea. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because that is someones choice. Legally someone has to sign the paperwork at the hospital to keep someone on life support, even if there is no living will.
Does choice bother you, too?
(And technically speaking, if someone CHOOSES to stop life support, the doctor does "euthanize" the patient by cutting off the life support)
2007-03-18 21:35:00 · answer #5 · answered by vikkip67 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been a nurse for 26 years....and in my career I have been with so many people that ask the same thing.....They should be allowed to end their life if they want.....to just suffer indefinitely, doesn't do anyone any good....not the person, or the family that has to stand by and watch their loved one suffer until the end....this is just my opinion......I am a Christian......but this is one area I feel very strongly about.....when you have held a person's hand, and they ask you to help them die....what do you say.......Yes its prolonging life, but for what???
2007-03-18 21:30:04 · answer #6 · answered by Kerilyn 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Euthanasia is okay, but it has absolutely nothing to do with any god. And even if you personally believe in a god, you have to realise that you don't live in a theocracy so religious objections have no place in law.
2007-03-18 21:22:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
The bible tells us that we are to endure until the end.
Doing whatever it takes to save a life or keep someone alive is a good thing.
2007-03-18 21:26:40 · answer #8 · answered by Angelz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion, euthanasia is the ultimate in free will.
2007-03-18 21:26:24 · answer #9 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Not letting someone die when it's their time should be considered "playing god". People are so afraid of death that they get so freaked out that someone would even consider letting someone's suffering end a "good" thing.
2007-03-18 21:21:57 · answer #10 · answered by Banana tree 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋