Is Euthanasia Morally Wrong?

Ethics, Morality, and Sin

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LukeyLuke
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Is Euthanasia Morally Wrong?

Post #1

Post by LukeyLuke »

While considering the teachings within the Bible (or not, if you aren't Christian) and/or the medical implications of a patient thinking of euthanasia, is euthanasia morally wrong? Explain your reasoning.

Donald
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Post #41

Post by Donald »

"But do you insist on making the same choice for others? Your sentiments may seem very noble to you, but can you allow that others in similar circumstances can make very different decisions and retain both their nobility and their dignity?"

I'm simply stating where I come from Danmark. I'm showing, through my experiences where I've been before, where I am now and where I'm heading soon. My hope is when others read my posts that they take a little something from my experiences into their own life (i.e. inner happiness, joy of life, peace of mind, integrity in heart.) I'm not demanding anything, just expressing my life's experiences for those in here to understand and perhap respect.

I may not accept how others live, but I still respect how others live.

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Post #42

Post by Donald »

"If ending suffering is good reason for killing, does it also mean that it is good if God ends suffering by killing all evil people?"

God expects that suffering will exist for humans forever because humans make decisions that can lead to suffering, right or wrong. To remove suffering from life on earth is like saying "Kill all human beings" because good people suffer and evil people suffer too.

It is also said to love your enemy because everybody deserves to be loved. But if you kill evil people, you can't love your enemy, can you 1213? All your enemies will die by human laws to allow violence to lead to more violence. Why would you want that?

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Post #43

Post by Donald »

"Welcome Donald!

Thank you for joining the forum. DC&R aims to be the most civil and engaging debate forum on Christianity and religion for people of all persuasions.

The rules here are strictly enforced, so be sure that you review the rules of the forum:
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I have decided it is time I leave this forum. You can discontinue my registration by informing otseng. I don't deserve to be apart of this community. My brain is bleeding to death from a broken blood vessel. I do not always think straight. I made some errors in posting replies to other's posts. The critical nature of this forum is too much stress on me.

You can choose to believe me or not believe me. Your choice. I don't care anymore. I don't care what others think of me anyway. I thought that by expressing my life's experiences to others in here that I might sway others to also reach peace of mind, joy of life, inner happiness, and integrity in heart. I was wrong. The critical nature is not something I want anymore. That's all.

Peace Be With You All In this forum.

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Post #44

Post by 1213 »

Donald wrote: It is also said to love your enemy because everybody deserves to be loved. But if you kill evil people, you can't love your enemy, can you 1213?
If God kills them softly, with his words, then maybe it is love? :)

I think no one deserves God’s love. And in my opinion it may be love, if God kills justly and fairly, if he so prevents suffering and evilness.

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Re: Is Euthanasia Morally Wrong?

Post #45

Post by Jagella »

LukeyLuke wrote: While considering the teachings within the Bible (or not, if you aren't Christian) and/or the medical implications of a patient thinking of euthanasia, is euthanasia morally wrong? Explain your reasoning.
I believe that euthanasia is morally wrong. I don't see it as true compassion but as contempt for people who are ill, injured, or old. If people really wanted to end the suffering of the ill, injured, or old, then why did they oppose laws like the Americans With Disabilities Act? Why don't we push for better care in hospitals and nursing homes?

It's very possible to make people's lives worth living with more compassion and respect for life with dignity. "Death with dignity" is an oxymoron.

And I know what I'm talking about. I've been a paraplegic for 36 years.

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Re: Is Euthanasia Morally Wrong?

Post #46

Post by Danmark »

Jagella wrote:
LukeyLuke wrote: While considering the teachings within the Bible (or not, if you aren't Christian) and/or the medical implications of a patient thinking of euthanasia, is euthanasia morally wrong? Explain your reasoning.
I believe that euthanasia is morally wrong. I don't see it as true compassion but as contempt for people who are ill, injured, or old. If people really wanted to end the suffering of the ill, injured, or old, then why did they oppose laws like the Americans With Disabilities Act? Why don't we push for better care in hospitals and nursing homes?

It's very possible to make people's lives worth living with more compassion and respect for life with dignity. "Death with dignity" is an oxymoron.

And I know what I'm talking about. I've been a paraplegic for 36 years.

Jagella
My father was quadriplegic for all of his 80 years. That did not stop him from running a successful business and fathering five children in both the biological and the social senses of that word.

I disagree with the idea of euthanasia, not just morally, and practically, but personally. Not just my father, but all of my siblings were/are considered valuable to others personally and to society in general. Some of them are even known and appreciated far beyond their immediate communities.

However, and again I have my father well in mind, there comes a time when a person has given what he can and can give no more. Or he may still be able to give, but should be respected for wanting to retire, to be relieved of the burden of living. When a person reaches this stage of his life he does not need further preaching or more attempts to make him feel guilty about wanting to leave. He's run the race to the finish; he's fought the good fight; he's earned his reward. He should be blessed and thanked and allowed to move on.

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Re: Is Euthanasia Morally Wrong?

Post #47

Post by Goat »

Danmark wrote:
Jagella wrote:
LukeyLuke wrote: While considering the teachings within the Bible (or not, if you aren't Christian) and/or the medical implications of a patient thinking of euthanasia, is euthanasia morally wrong? Explain your reasoning.
I believe that euthanasia is morally wrong. I don't see it as true compassion but as contempt for people who are ill, injured, or old. If people really wanted to end the suffering of the ill, injured, or old, then why did they oppose laws like the Americans With Disabilities Act? Why don't we push for better care in hospitals and nursing homes?

It's very possible to make people's lives worth living with more compassion and respect for life with dignity. "Death with dignity" is an oxymoron.

And I know what I'm talking about. I've been a paraplegic for 36 years.

Jagella
My father was quadriplegic for all of his 80 years. That did not stop him from running a successful business and fathering five children in both the biological and the social senses of that word.

I disagree with the idea of euthanasia, not just morally, and practically, but personally. Not just my father, but all of my siblings were/are considered valuable to others personally and to society in general. Some of them are even known and appreciated far beyond their immediate communities.

However, and again I have my father well in mind, there comes a time when a person has given what he can and can give no more. Or he may still be able to give, but should be respected for wanting to retire, to be relieved of the burden of living. When a person reaches this stage of his life he does not need further preaching or more attempts to make him feel guilty about wanting to leave. He's run the race to the finish; he's fought the good fight; he's earned his reward. He should be blessed and thanked and allowed to move on.
I think there is a difference between euthanasia, where someone else makes the choice on behalf of someone, and the 'assisted suicide' route. For example, that young woman who killed herself because she had terminal brain cancer, and when living got to the point she was a burden to herself as well as to others, she took barbiturates rather the suffer, and make her family suffer. That is certainly different than offing someone who still wants to stick around.
“What do you think science is? There is nothing magical about science. It is simply a systematic way for carefully and thoroughly observing nature and using consistent logic to evaluate results. So which part of that exactly do you disagree with? Do you disagree with being thorough? Using careful observation? Being systematic? Or using consistent logic?�

Steven Novella

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Re: Is Euthanasia Morally Wrong?

Post #48

Post by Danmark »

Goat wrote:
I think there is a difference between euthanasia, where someone else makes the choice on behalf of someone, and the 'assisted suicide' route. For example, that young woman who killed herself because she had terminal brain cancer, and when living got to the point she was a burden to herself as well as to others, she took barbiturates rather the suffer, and make her family suffer. That is certainly different than offing someone who still wants to stick around.
Absolutely! And that is part of the point of my piece. Also, those who would like to fade away should not be bullied by anyone, including the phony 'ideals' of their culture, to continue to 'fight the good fight' when they would prefer a dignified departure.

More difficult arise regarding the unborn and the newly born. Those questions are multifaceted. Let me raise just one. Today we have the capability of spending millions of dollars to preserve the life of a premature infant who has a small chance at life and even if the child survives, to have at best a marginal existence beset with severe retardation, blindness and worse.

In addition to other considerations, surely there is a limit to how scarce resources should be spent.

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Re: Is Euthanasia Morally Wrong?

Post #49

Post by Jagella »

Danmark wrote:My father was quadriplegic for all of his 80 years. That did not stop him from running a successful business and fathering five children in both the biological and the social senses of that word.
Thanks for sharing this story. A person can live a good, full life if that person is allowed to do so. Who needs euthanasia when we can make other people's lives brighter?
I disagree with the idea of euthanasia, not just morally, and practically, but personally. Not just my father, but all of my siblings were/are considered valuable to others personally and to society in general. Some of them are even known and appreciated far beyond their immediate communities.
Sure. Valuing people can and does make a big difference. I'm sure a major reason for people wanting to die is their not feeling valued by others.
However, and again I have my father well in mind, there comes a time when a person has given what he can and can give no more. Or he may still be able to give, but should be respected for wanting to retire, to be relieved of the burden of living. When a person reaches this stage of his life he does not need further preaching or more attempts to make him feel guilty about wanting to leave. He's run the race to the finish; he's fought the good fight; he's earned his reward. He should be blessed and thanked and allowed to move on.
How will we allow him to move on? I agree that people have the right to forego medical treatment if we have their consent to remove it.

Thanks for the input!

Jagella

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Re: Is Euthanasia Morally Wrong?

Post #50

Post by Jagella »

Goat wrote:I think there is a difference between euthanasia, where someone else makes the choice on behalf of someone, and the 'assisted suicide' route. For example, that young woman who killed herself because she had terminal brain cancer, and when living got to the point she was a burden to herself as well as to others, she took barbiturates rather the suffer, and make her family suffer. That is certainly different than offing someone who still wants to stick around.
Should we allow only the sick to commit suicide or anyone who wishes to die?

Jagella

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