is it a sin to kill someone who's suffering terribly?

Question

would God understand?

Answer 1

wow, does everyone think that refusing to help someone die is a good thing? So basically , what most of the answers are is that it is not right to assist someone in their own death if they are in tremendous pain, but it is all right to leave them alive, screaming because the pain is to the point where nothing else helps? I am sorry, I would take the humane way out, and help. To make these people live is cruel and unusual punishment for something they have no control over. Who cares if god would understand? If he would make someone suffer like that be cause killing is wrong, then he is not a very kind person is he?
in short, No it is not a sin, though your consciouses nay bother you.

Answer 2

I believe in an all knowing and merciful GOD, and I have had some experience with this kind of situation in Viet Nam. It's something that soldiers sometimes talk about - hoping that they never have to act upon it, but the reality is, it's a very real posibility, and some terrible wounds may be survivable - but to what end? Every fighting man has a right to decide not only how much pain and suffering he will endure, but how he will live the rest of his life, and some choose not to face life as less than whole men - and for them the subject is NOT open for discussion. The hard part is when they ask you to finish it, should the need arise.

I never looked upon that sacred plegde as murder, or even a sin, i considered it the fulfillment of a sacred oath, a final favor to a fallen comrade, one last act of mercy to a brave warrior who has asked for dignity in death.

You can not and do not have the right to comment on this unless you have been in combat, and have been asked to do this by a brother in arms, a man that you have put your life in his hands many times before, and now whose life you hold in your hands. And don't forget that you are in the middle of a fire fight, or an ambush, and your platoon is falling back to call in an Air Strike or Naval Gun Fire on your current position, which you have to abandon ASAP, - and you can not move your buddy - or what's left of him in the immediate area, because to do so would guarantee to kill him on the spot - but not before you put him thru seven kinds of hell & agony.

The company Medic has already shot him up with morphine, and shook his head at you, indicating that there is really nothing more he can do for your fallen friend. If you leave him, the VC may just shoot him as soon as they find him, but more likely they will torture him for any information they can get out of him, and for fun. before he is dead, they will cut off his manhood and stick it in his mouth, as an insult to American troops. If he is dead when they find him, they will ignore the body. Knowing all this what would you do for your friend?

Answer 3

I have never seen a case where killing someone was the best choice you could give to a suffering person. Yes, there are extreme cases, and there are events that could happen to me where I'd scream at people to kill me, but that would be when I'm under the influence of pain. Physical pain is temporary. Always. It will go away, and it may come back. There is no one that suffers every second of their. Yes, I'm including people with arthritis, the ebola virus, leprousy, prisons, flee infestations, stomach worms, whatever. Eventually their nerves become shot and they don't feel the pain anymore, or something comes along to relieve the pain (usually endorphins).

Is it a sin to kill someone who's suffering terribly? If that's the only reason for killing them, yes, I believe so. I think God can use a suffering person, and He may even be able to use them even more powerfully than he could use a person that isn't suffering. God understands all cases, and can use them for His glory.

Ultimately, I can't tell you how God would judge it. My advice is to take the hard path and try to comfort the suffering person. The easy way out is usually (not always, but usually) the selfish way.

Answer 4

I think it is likely better to quit making them suffer so bad.
Interpret that however you like.

Euthanasia in cases that are truly terminal might be justifiable.
I truly doubt if it is a decision that people would make lightly.

I suppose that according to Christians it is a sin, other religions and other cultures have regarded it as a duty instead of a sin. I guess it would depend on the times and circumstances.

Answer 5

Removing God from the question, I think it is morally acceptable to assist someone in dying when they are terminally ill or fatally wounded and failing to assist would do nothing but cause them to suffer more. I say assist because it should be an active choice on the part of the person if they are capable of making that choice. In the case of someone who is incapable of making that choice, I think it's right to withdraw life support (which can include artificial methods of feeding) and allow them to die naturally.

This is a complicated issue because medical science is capable of sustaining life long beyond the point where a person would naturally die.

Answer 6

You are talking about assisted suicide I presume?

I do not consider it killing and putting it in those terms incite a lot of protests. I believe it is helping someone move on to a better life and I do believe God, or whoever the higher power is, would understand. Ending someone's suffering,at their request, especially if they have some sort of terminal illness already is being merciful.

Answer 7

If God does not see fit to take their life yet, then why should anyone else think they know better? Yes, it is a sin. We often learn the most from suffering. While none of us want it, it often makes us grow. Ask anyone who has been through anything serious if they have more empathy for others afterwards.

Answer 8

No, it's a human right, not a religious right or decision if any person suffering chooses there right to be put to sleep. Animals are put to sleep as a way of not letting them suffer any longer in pain. If I was ever in that position of suffering, it is an option in the country I live in if I choose to be put to sleep or to remain suffer.

Answer 9

I think it is a sin to kill. It is not a sin to let the person die under much needed medication to ease them as much as possible. It is not a sin to withhold resuscitation if the person does not want a respirator and tube feedings. Let them die naturally with no mechanics to prolong their suffering if that is their wish, but do not kill them.

Answer 10

if it is then its a sin to kill at all and not just to murder. but since they change between murder and killing then I guess well never know.

if its only murder thats a sin then no.
but if its a sin to kill at all then yes, and it would also be a sin to have war and kill animals now wouldnt it?

I just wish they would make up their mind. but honestly I dont think its a sin because youre doing it with a good intent and not evil.