Should persons who are mentally competent and terminally ill be permitted to have a doctor's assistance (i.e. Dr. Kevorkian) in hastening death?
Name: Mayimuna Email: mayimuna@ix.netcom.com Response:
I believe the Lord is not this entity who hands out
rewards and punishments. Nor do I believe the
Lord has all of our desitinies preplanned. I
tend to believe the Lord assists us in whatever
we undertake. I believe the Lord guides us to
the resources we need. I also believe the
physical body is one the Lord provided for us in
order for us to better see and understand our
relations with one another. Therefore I believe
each individual has the right to eliminate her/his
incurable physical pain when it renders the
quality of life unbearable by "normal" standards.
If the thought of ending one's life has entered
the thought process then it must have been the
Lord who guided that person to that resource. I
do not feel the Lord punishes people for that.
Some may ask why babies die, some by natural phenomenon
some due to accidents. I believe we all must
develop the spiritual existence just as a child
must develop the adult existence. Through each
stage a different experience is presented. Once
the individual has gone through each necessary
experience (and I do not profess to know what
these experiences may be), then the soul is
directed to another location (called home as some
may put it). If one chooses to "go home" prior
to the calling then the Lord, who is an ever
merciful being will accept that soul as he would
any other. If that soul has any unfinished
"experiences" the Lord will provide for those
(whether by returning the individual-reincarnation,
or simply introducing some heavenly experience
in that Kingdom we all aspire to).
Name: Email: Response:
In my humble opinion ,I made the decision to walk this earthly journey,at this time, with this particular group of souls and for a particular reason.one being for the service and enhancement of humankind. It is my priviledge, granted to me by the creator and it's helpers, to use this time creatively and lovingly, to fullfill this mission. who would know how to do what I need to do on this mass of energy,called earth, except I? therfore, since I made a choice to do my work at a certain time, then I am free to decide when the mission is compete. and when it is time to continue my journey somewhere other than on this
earth.
THANK YOU.
Name: yhwsdsmd Email: yhwsdsmd@aol.com Response:
Definitely out!!! The person had nothing to do with
being formed and coming into this life, therefore he or
she should not be a willing participant in exiting
this life. Plus there is as I am told no Forgiveness
for Suicide. If the person goes out before his life
is reconciled then that person is damed.
Name: Jimmy Lateef Vaughan Email: jvaughan@ctia.org Response:
In a free society (such as the U.S.), an individual should have the right to end his/her life. This is a simple issue of freedom. The government, nor the judicial system, should be given the power to force someone to continue living, if that is not their wish.
Name: Wayne Taltoan Email: wtal@pclogiconline.com Response:
In my opinion, I think that is up to the individual, but no one has a right to play god.
God's the one that breathes life into you when you're born and He's the one who will
take your life. I know it's a hard situation to watch someone that you love suffer in
pain. However, because you are suffering from excruiating pain--what right does a
doctor like Kevorkian have to assist in your suicide? Does he think he is playing
God or what ?
In the case of the mentally incompetent, that's a question that I can't personally
can't answer and I hope that I would not have to answer it. However, I don't think
the courts have a right to decide who should live and who should die. I believe it's
the families right to decide for the individual and I hope I do not have to make that
decision.
From my own personal experience, I've been a quadraplegic for the last 12 years
I've suffered with a lot of pain, agony, and fustration, but I would not and could not
have some quack help to assist in my suicide. I like to see each and every day
that I can.
Name: BC Email: b-charles@bgu.edu Response:
This, like abortion, is the right of each individual. When are we going to stop trying to tell everyone what they can do and judging their personal decisions. An individual that is terminally ill does not need others interfering with a decision that probably was extremely difficut to make. There are very few things we can control, our right to die should be one of them.
bc.
Name: Lottie Email: love@kingsnet.com Response:
There is no man that has the right to end the life
of another.There is only one God and he is the one
that gives and takes lives,Blessed be his wonderful
name.How do we know if God wants to use that situation
to reach somebody that needs their faith increased
or that need their soul to be saved.I know one
thing this man better watch out trying to play
God,because the judgement is going to fall so
hard on him that he is not going to know what
hit him.He should leave this quest of his along
or should I say the work of satan,because that
is exactly what it is.If that soul is gone he or
she cannot repent of their sins and be baptized
in the wonderful name of Jesus and in turn
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost which will
give him the ticket to eternal life with Christ.
With the ancient is wisdom;and in length of days
understanding. (Job 12:12 )
Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age,like.
as a shock of corn cometh in his season.Job 5:26
Lottie
Name: JB Email: jbutts@ehso.emory.edu Response:
I think that people should have the right to have this procedure. I don't think that society should legislate the individual rights of citizens to live (or die) as they choose as long as it does not have a negative impact on society.
With that said, morally, I feel it is wrong for anyone to take the life that God has given. We don't always understand the nature or wonder of God and why suffering happens in the world. I think this procedure is dangerous to the soul. Additionally, I wish more scientific investigation could go into the subject of hospice care the the alleviation of pain and suffering so that this alternative does not look attractive to the terminally ill. We all must go someday, but let's do it in God's time, not our own.
Name: jas buie Email: jasbuie@uclink4.berkeley.edu Response:
First of all I'm not sure that a person that wants to die sooner than their
last hard fought breath is "mentally competent". Since I was born I've
been living. It's not always so good or always so bad but it's always
a chance of improving. Death is so final. I believe in choice. This a question
for families to answer. How much will it cost? The living will suffer the cost. Can it
be affordable? How hard is it to see a loved one once young, healthy and
strong slowly whither away! How many of our fellow man/women will be there
to give support. Agreed or don't agreed. Be a part or be apart.
