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"I have to kill my wife because I love her so much..."
That was a headline in a newspaper I found today.
It told a true story of an old man who decided Euthanasia practice to her beloved wife.
Formerly his wife got a fatal traffic-accident and she had suffered coma at a hospital for a year. The old man was very shocked to see a medical report that his wife would never wake up. He then decided to end his wife's life...
Simply, Euthanasia is a practice of killing a human being for humane or medical reasons, especially one suffering greatly or experiencing poor quality of life. It refers to the legal practice of ending a life in a painless manner where an individual makes a decision for another person incapable of doing so (we know that its practice often entails the use of lethal substances or forces to kill). This makes Euthanasia is just like a "licence to help" (one who is suffering greatly), but in the other hand it's just like a "licence to kill" (legally).
What about Euthanasia on religious beliefs ?
I'm curious, God created life then ordered humans to love another and not to kill (because to kill someone is a sin), but in case of Euthanasia a human can make a decision to kill someone for humane reason (love) !
So where the truth is if some people say that it is a sin to do Euthanasia practice but the others say not.
What is your view about Euthanasia ?

Is euthanasia a sin? I don't think that sin is in the action. Sin is in the intention of the action. I believe that helping "neighbours" to overcome their suffering and/or to help someone in fulfilling their last wish are very Christian values, especially if this is done out of unconditional love. So if the someone who is assisting in euthanasia does this out of love then it can't be sin because the intention is not to kill but to love.

I think that Peter Abelard, a medieval philosopher, started the idea that sin is not in the action but in the intention. http://www.iep.utm.edu/abelard/#H6 this link is to a short summary of his ethics concerning sin.

Quote:

Is euthanasia a sin? I don't think that sin is in the action. Sin is in the intention of the action. I believe that helping "neighbours" to overcome their suffering and/or to help someone in fulfilling their last wish are very Christian values, especially if this is done out of unconditional love. So if the someone who is assisting in euthanasia does this out of love then it can't be sin because the intention is not to kill but to love.

Hmmmm.... that's interesting point.
Sin is not in the action, but is in the intention of the action.

I think euthanasia can be an act of mercy and kindness in many cases. Unfortunately, it remains illegal, at least here in the US. I personally would rather die with dignity, with assistance from a doctor if needed, than suffer through some incurable disease that was destroying my physical and/or mental capacities. To jail merciful doctors like Jack Kervorkian is the height of human ignorance and cruelty.

Code:

cluallen wrote: I think euthanasia can be an act of mercy and kindness in many cases. Unfortunately, it remains illegal, at least here in the US. I personally would rather die with dignity, with assistance from a doctor if needed, than suffer through some incurable disease that was destroying my physical and/or mental capacities. To jail merciful doctors like Jack Kervorkian is the height of human ignorance and cruelty.

I think you would say that all countries should not forbid Euthanasia for it is an individual choice which is a part of human rights.
But contrary in some countries, if the decision of Euthanasia comes from the patient itself it can be categorized as an effort to force someone another to kill, and if the decision of it -is the agreement among its family it can be categorized as a planned murder.
I think many countries still place the view of religious beliefs as the highest platform for humans than respect the human rights itself...

indehoey wrote:

Code: cluallen wrote: I think euthanasia can be an act of mercy and kindness in many cases. Unfortunately, it remains illegal, at least here in the US. I personally would rather die with dignity, with assistance from a doctor if needed, than suffer through some incurable disease that was destroying my physical and/or mental capacities. To jail merciful doctors like Jack Kervorkian is the height of human ignorance and cruelty. I think you would say that all countries should not forbid Euthanasia for it is an individual choice which is a part of human rights. But contrary in some countries, if the decision of Euthanasia comes from the patient itself it can be categorized as an effort to force someone another to kill, and if the decision of it -is the agreement among its family it can be categorized as a planned murder. I think many countries still place the view of religious beliefs as the highest platform for humans than respect the human rights itself...

I agree that much of the opposition to euthanasia is based on religious beliefs rather than logic, medical science and human dignity. It's a tragedy.

very, very complicated issue. I work in medicine & have seen several instances (one concerning myself, as recently as last week) where reports were mixed up. So one can never ever rely completely upon the accuracy of ANY medical report. WAY too much room for errors in transcription & intention, to say nothing of identity.

Best advice is a clear review of the clinical condition, exhaustive testing "the no stone unturned" concept-(this is, after all, a discussion of the possible deliberate ending of a life)....& then, the opinion of at least 3 medical professionals who do not stand to benefit by her death. This is just my opinion, and my personal practise, before any mention of pulling the plug. Actually this happens before i even search for the socket. Just my 2 cents.

I do not think life is ours to take, but I do believe in the ending of suffering....sometimes, painfully, this coincides...

Blessings to all,
Namaste,

Boo

Boo,

I respect your ethical approach as a medical professional. But what do you mean by "I do not think life is ours to take"? If a person is suffering and wants to end her/his life I believe they should have every right to do so. Unfortunately, Dr Jack Kervorkian is now in jail because of his principled stand to assist patients in euthanasia who asked for his help.

Cluallen,
Thanks for your kind words. I work very hard to do the right thing, as best I can.
What I meant was, (and just IMHO) it is not for me to do a deliberate act such as stop an IV or tube feeding (thus causing death by starvation/dehydration); or remove mechanical venbtilation from someone else, without taking those steps I mentioned. In the absence of the person's clearly stated opinion (written is best) I think it is wise to be conservative (while preventing suffering).

We can always do a permanent action later. We do not have the chance to rethink all things. So I try to do all the things first to support the dignity & hope for life (if such exists), while being very mindful of pain. I think the persnickety ano-cephalic concept that parts of the medical community have, that a cancer patient may become addicted to opiate narcotics is just DUMB! & is a reason for much needless suffering. There comes a point, you know, where this gets cruel. Again just my 2 cents here. People in horrible pain cannot think clearly. Too MUCH pain medicine & they can't think either.... it's so very difficult.
This is why I think medicine is art and science....

We also cannot rule out the chance that even if there is a paper or a letter of intent (in different places it's called different things) the patient may change his /her mind. It is indeed a difficult thing...I struggle as well when it is time to say goodbye to a beloved pet animal. Generally speaking, (again IMHO only) our technology has advanced with greater speed than our ethics. I try to treat all as I would be treated, with kindness & dignity...to clarify, my life is my business. Everyone gets to decide for themselves (IMHO).

My involvement only occurs when there is a terrible accident, let's say, or a cancer pt is really struggling & perhaps some well meaning person has begun CPR (yes, it happens....)....

So I'm referring to a situation in which, let's say, I'm working in the ER, I don't know the pt at all, & they are brought to me for care....I feel it's my job to provide that care intelligently, respectfully & compassionately until we can find friend or family...closing as few doors as possible. When it is really time to close the door, it closes...& the journey is over, no technology can pull a life back. OTOH I have seen people wake up that I would not have ever imagined would make the night through...just when left w/supportive care...a little IV fluids and pain medicine....hence, my caution. There may be one last conversation they need to have. It's not my place to deprive the pt or the family of this just because I believe the medical situation to be hopeless...I could be wrong about that...

I think hope, with a kind eye turned towards the practicalities, is the last thing that should every be taken away...
I hope this clarifies....
Blessings, Boo[color=indigo][/color]