View Full Version : Death with Dignity
It was just announced that our state will be introducing a death with dignity legislation giving one the right to end their own life under certain conditions and probably modeled after Oregon. I am not near having to make those sorts of choices right now, but have thought when and if the day comes, how that would reconcile with any spiritual beliefs. If I have my facts straight, I think the common Christian thought is that this is the same as suicide and not acceptable as Christian behavior. And what I recall of the eastern religions is that what ever suffering we may encounter at the end of life is part of our karma and if we short cut it in this life we will need to account for it in future incarnations. Even though this is in the political arena it boils down to a moral or spiritual issue and probably has some parallels with abortion and the right to choose.
iris lilies
1-28-15, 10:56am
It was just announced that our state will be introducing a death with dignity legislation giving one the right to end their own life under certain conditions and probably modeled after Oregon. I am not near having to make those sorts of choices right now, but have thought when and if the day comes, how that would reconcile with any spiritual beliefs. If I have my facts straight, I think the common Christian thought is that this is the same as suicide and not acceptable as Christian behavior. And what I recall of the eastern religions is that what ever suffering we may encounter at the end of life is part of our karma and if we short cut it in this life we will need to account for it in future incarnations. Even though this is in the political arena it boils down to a moral or spiritual issue and probably has some parallels with abortion and the right to choose.
fortunately, I am not religious. So, I can do what I like!
But I generally think mother nature knows what she is doing and in exception of cases of extreme and prolonged suffering it's best to let nature take it's course.
One practical outcome of some suffering at the end of death is relief and looking forward to death. End of life is natural.
catherine
1-28-15, 11:00am
I agree with IL--this is a legal issue, not a spiritual one. Just because it's a law now doesn't mean you should reconsider your own beliefs.
I also agree with IL on letting nature take its course.. I certainly don't believe in taking extreme measures to stay alive, so if pulling plugs or refusing surgery is going to hasten what would naturally happen, I'm all for it. I would not do what Brittany Maynard did (I don't think so, but I've never been in that situation).
I'm glad to live in Oregon where, if the situation presents itself, I will be able to decide when I'm ready to go. While that path might not be for everyone, having the choice available to those who chose that path is important (to me).
ToomuchStuff
1-28-15, 11:51am
Isn't this more of an assisted suicide legislation?
The reason I ask, is AFAIK, typically suicide is legal, but attempting and failing is illegal.
If this is an assisted version, this allows people like Dr.'s to offer drugs to ease the pain in the process of people who are terminal, typically (go at their own pace).
Isn't this more of an assisted suicide legislation?
The reason I ask, is AFAIK, typically suicide is legal, but attempting and failing is illegal.
If this is an assisted version, this allows people like Dr.'s to offer drugs to ease the pain in the process of people who are terminal, typically (go at their own pace).
I think ending one's life with the assistance of a physician is the basic premise of the legislation. One of the arguments against the legislation is that hospice care already offers a death with dignity solution. The hole in the argument is that hospice care is only available to people who have a terminal disease and are expected to die within a six month time period, as verified by three physicians. There are people who are in chronic severe pain or have other conditions that are not necessarily terminal but have removed all quality of life. And end of life directives have similar requirements.
Some of the examples used in the write ups include people who have basically committed suicide by starvation, a long and painful process that could be made less traumatic. So that is indeed legal, but may not be an option for someone who is physically disabled or have access to a more gentle process.
I oppose the State in essence issuing suicide permits for the same reason in oppose capital punishment. You can't fix mistakes.
iris lilies
1-28-15, 1:17pm
LDAHL, it's interesting to me that you would have this view.
Why do you think it is the state's business at all?
this is a decision I would like to be able to make for myself.........or a family member if I am not able. I watched my son-in-law's mother battle a brain tumor for almost 3 years.
Most of which she would have been better off not being here. Same for her family. It was a terrible situation for all of them. I do consider myself a Christain and realize that some of my church family would consider this a sin. Death with dignity, don't we all deserve it?
I would move to Belgium or Switzerland if necessary, so I think the State would help more if it gave more freedom to the individual. Why is this a state or federal law anyway? A friend and I were just talking about this the other day. NPR or BBC just did an article about Belgium. Interesting.
Why do so many want to interfere with my life decisions?
My life is my own, and not the property of the State. The State has no moral authority to tell me how and when I choose to end my life, if I am of sound mind.
My life is my own, and not the property of the State. The State has no moral authority to tell me how and when I choose to end my life, if I am of sound mind.
I am not sure whether I take this as saying this sort of sort of legislation is less restrictive or just another state regulation that imposes on our rights. In the perfect world I would have some high quality heroin or morphine in my freezer to use at my discretion, but I'm not seeing that as a realistic option.
LDAHL, it's interesting to me that you would have this view.
Why do you think it is the state's business at all?
I don't see it as the State's business to regulate when suicide is or isn't permissible, except perhaps to ensure that impatient heirs or overzealous right-to-die advocates don't exercise undue influence. Suicide seems to me to be the ultimate act of individual initiative, so why involve a collection of government busybodies?
I imagine one role for legislation is to ensure to a person who assists is not charged with manslaughter (or murder).
I imagine one role for legislation is to ensure to a person who assists is not charged with manslaughter (or murder).
Yes, and also not charge the doctor or pharmacy who is providing the life-ending drugs. Right now there are stories of doctors who are afraid to provide enough pain medicine to terminally ill patients because of the scrutiny it draws from regulators - this law would help eliminate that issue for those who have been judged of sound mind, have a terminal illness, and do not want to stay til the bitter painful end.
Different, yet years back we had Dr. Jack Kavorkian(spelling) in Mi. Dr. Jack tried to assist people in thier end of life. But it was in the back of an old Van. He was very outspoken on the topic, but perhaps went about it the wrong way as it changed little here.
Watching mom pass last year, I hope I have the courage to release my family of the pain if I am in that situation. An available prescription would be easier.
Well, who says it has to be prescribed medication? Dispensing meds, in our society, has all kinds of responsibilities. Big Pharma, and MD's are indisputably, Deep Pockets, and reluctant to get involved. So, be a resourceful DIY, and jump off a cliff. Or, get a car with no airbags---a 1959 chevy(6 cyl), and hit a 2009 Malibu head on, about 18" left of center. A quick death is assured. At least, that is what I have read. There was a High School Principal, in a littlebitytown waaaay up North in the middle o' nowhere, a place where they eat pizza for breakfast, lunch and dinner, who was being harassed, abused, intimidated, and probly even ignored. The reason was, he was an advocate of standardized testing in the schools, to objectively measure academic attainment. This angered many farmers, who want their boy Zach or Jeremy or Randy or Ronnie or whatever, to get high marks and a GPA to match. That way, they could stay on the Football team, play basketball, and graduate on schedule. Then, go on to Moo U or Icck, and major in Farming & Feeding Livestock, and find a farm wife who majored in child development and baking pies.. Objective, standardized testing would make it difficult for teachers to pass "Randy" or "Ronnie". They demanded Subjective, customized Testing, based upon factors like whose boy Randy was, and his general attitude(jock bullying the weak kids--okay; jock bullying the teacher--not okay) and how many yards he gained, or wrasslin' matches won against the sports teams in neighboring farm towns, like Evil Grove or Hellangone.. Stuff that's more important than dippy factoids like who was the first U.S. President, or the sum of 2+2. See? Anyway, the harried, embattled, and beleaguered principal of this fine little town drove his van out to a secluded spot, and ran a vacuum cleaner hose inside, and sat in it with the motor running. That was the End of his problems. An acquaintance of mine eventually bought that van for his wife to drive; he got it pretty cheap. The school board had to be sued all the way to the state supreme court, for the late principals' widow to collect benefits though, due to his death as a result of being harassed and abused. Nice, safe, clean little town . Good place to retire, maybe do a little gardening. Not.:(Hope that helps you kids some. Thankk mee.
Ok since you stated it that way, I generally say if I am knowingly going as I watched happen to mom; Jack and pills will be my end.
Packy, reading all your posts is my one guilty pleasure. I know I shouldn't, but I just can't stop myself.
Had to read and read again. Gosh I am not even drinking Jack right now.
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