This can be a touchy subject to discuss on a blogging site, but I want to find out what other people think about euthanasia.
I agree with euthanasia because I'm against human suffering. I agree with this only when it is deemed necessary so before you start calling me murderer, hear me out on my reasons of agreeing with this practice.
Visualize this scenario:
A patient with a terminal disease; everything's been tried to promote recovery but to no avail. The patient is in pain, he/she's been given medications to ease the pain but nothing works and so every waking hour of everyday, the patient has to suffer in great agony.
After a couple of days, the patient falls into a comma and is being kept alive by medical machinery. The family of this patient have tried everything and spent every single penny on the patient's treatment and hospitalization. The doctors say that there is no hope for him/her and so the family had two choices, let the patient die slowly or help them die faster, a good death, a painless death. Regardless of the hardships and sadness, the family came to a decision, and they ask the doctors to pull the plug of the machines that are keeping the patient alive. With great sadness and heaviness in their hearts, they watch as the patient takes there last breath and die as if he/she were still asleep. The family had the option of keeping the patient alive for his/her last moments, but then they remembered the screams and painful moaning of the patient who would, everyday, wake up to pain and sleep with pain. They wanted the patient to die a good death, a death that kept the patients dignity in tact and untouched.
Many people didn't agree with the family's decision to help terminate their family member's life who was already doomed to begin with. They were called murderers by many of them, but they didn't pay mind to their snide remarks and painful accusations because deep down they know that their family member was suffering on a daily basis at the last moments of his/her life. Deep down they feel that they made the right choice, though it was a painful one.
Would you agree with this family's decision or would you be one of the people that accuse them for murder?Are we playing the role of G-d when we make such a decision like terminating a dying human's life? My answer is that no, we aren't playing G-d because the person's fate was already decided by G-d, by practicing euthanasia, we're merely giving the person (who's lived a good life) a peaceful death, without pain.
Many times, people let their beliefs and emotions cloud their better judgement. Of course, not everyone is honest. Some people allow euthanasia on their sickened relatives just so they can get rid of them, regardless of the possibility of a substantial recovery.
According to an investigation on the legalization of euthanasia in Oregon, it was concluded that the reason for the approval of said practice was because the majority of the population aren't religious. And frankly, when I read this, I was not surprised due to the fact that the 99.99% of religious people are against "causing death" or "assisting suicide"; the possibilities of a religious person agreeing with euthanasia are quite slim, maybe 1 out of 10 religious people may agree somewhat with the practice, although not fully convinced, they might consider it in a situation that requires it.
There aren't a lot of countries that support a "Good Death", like for example in Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans are known to be religious (and so are other Hispanics) so here the legalization of euthanasia is completely out of the question, much like other countries that don't support the practice.
I just think that keeping a dying relative alive regardless of their suffering is selfish because the patient's feelings (if they can be expressed) are not being respected. Yeah, it's painful to lose someone you care about, but for me it's more painful and cruel to watch them die slowly.
It's a hard and rash decision to make, especially if the patient is unable to communicate their requests. And it's even harder when you're religious because by making this decision you are "shunning your spiritual and moral beliefs," this is what is often thought. I'm pretty sure that no one wants to feel continuous pain and agony in the last days of their lives.
Are you against euthanasia? Or do you believe in a good death?
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Comments (44)
The topic of Euthanasia is so sad. I can't imagine being in a position where I would favour death over living, and I give my heart out to anyone who feels like they're in that position. I've watched documentaries on it and TV shows that touch upon it, and every time I've seen the pain in the eyes of the one being asked to do the act, however I've also seen the pain in the sufferers eyes. I wish I was in a better, more educated position to answer your question with wisdom, knowledge and confidence. Nevertheless, and with my religious beliefs supporting this (atheist), life belongs to you. You 'own' your own life. No one should be able to overrule your decision for your own suffering to be ended (except maybe the person you ask, if they don't want to do that for/to you). What I mean is, the government and the ones against euthanasia.
With that being sad, I completely understand why it's illegal in most countries. Policing it would be a nightmare. Can you imagine how easy it would be to hide a murder, if euthanasia was legal? I hope the courts would take a case by case approach, but of course that takes money and time.
@Lynn Males@facebook - Like hell you'd take your own life. You're too much of a pussy to actually do it. Instead you just post about it on the internet like a little faggot. At least have the guts to follow through! Pussy.
@Lynn Males@facebook - HA! You can't even get that little shaved needle up, let alone penetrate my Fortress Of Analtude. Your dad did the world a great service.
@Lynn Males@facebook - Awh, are you still sore you can't have sex? How does it feel? Does it, sting? Oh.. wait... YOU CAN'T FEEL ANYTHING DOWN THERE AT ALL. XD
Subhuman? I'm sorry but you must be thinking about yourself again. You're a pathetic little coward; unworthy of being a part of the ranks of human-kind. Between your attempts to get more attention and toying with the emotions of people who cared about you and your murdering your father, I can't think of anyone still alive more deserving of scorn and mockery. Maybe Bill O'Reilly.
Next time you get the urge to kill yourself, do it. For the good of everyone else. Especially your family. Christ knows they'd be better off without you tarnishing their names.
@Lynn Males@facebook - You're right, you're so good no one respects you or wants to associate with you. No, you're a sad, pathetic, lonely loser who will die penniless, alone, and miserable knowing that you were nothing less than a dried out roll of excrement left on the back-road in a long forgotten corner of nowhere.
Your delusional state will one day burst and hopefully so will your head. Paint that pretty Cobain rainbow, baby. Paint like the wind.
@Lynn Males@facebook - @RazielV@xanga - Oh no! more trolling on healthkicker! THIS WAS SO UNEXPECTED.
@Lynn Males@facebook - I'm sure everyone wants to be an unlikable loser without the ability to fuck, or maintain a coherent, intelligent thought.
@Pink_TeaCups@xanga - YOU STFU <3
@Lynn Males@facebook - Translation: WAAAHHHHH WAHHHH BOTTLE NAO WAAAHHHH
@Lynn Males@facebook - What about being an example to your peers, family, etc... Finding a way to happiness despite the hypothetical sufferings you listed... To be a testament on how to die or live the way nature intended... Just curious to your response, I'm not trying to start any trouble with you.
@Lynn Males@facebook - Lulz. You're so full of shit. No one's buying this phony "high road" act. You're just being a pussy, again. Just face it: You're a nothing and a nobody. No one's coming to your defence, no one's supporting you, and no one gives a shit whether you breathe or stop. Fact.
@ctaretz@xanga - That's entirely against his character. He prefers to go about life selfishly and callously with no regard for others. For him to enact empathy and sympathy he'd actually have to admit he's wrong, and fuck knows that'd kill him. We can only hope.
Anyway, the main topic: I think euthanasia should only be enacted if there's absolutely no chance to restore the person to functionality. Or if they expressively request it in their will.
@RazielV@xanga - DNR when I'm 80 and have a major heart attack or stroke, or no more brain activity because of an accident, and the inability to live without a machine (see no more brain activity) sounds like a maybe in my book. But, if I can be resuscitated and still live a good life, or I can cope with the pain, or the machine is keeping me from choking on my own adenoids when I'm sleeping (lol -- sleep apnea), then I think it's ridiculous to look at euthanasia as a solution.
In a nutshell: I agree with you.
@ctaretz@xanga - I WILL KILL YOU FOR AGREEING WITH ME
@Lynn Males@facebook - Well, I guess some say tomato others say tomahto; I personally couldn't do that to the people around me. I love them, I'd want to see them until the end, even if it is a short while -- there's so much I think I'd want to say and not left unsaid.
@RazielV@xanga - Ahh shit! Screwed if I do screwed if I don't...
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@ctaretz@xanga - That's because the people around you like you and respect you. There's a huge difference between you and that scumbag faggot. That and you make my giblets tingle.
"The doctors say that there is no hope for him/her"
To me, this only shows that the doctors have no hope and it says nothing about the situation other than the fact that the doctors don't know what's going on well enough to continue putting their (possibly futile) efforts into life-promoting actions with any sort of confidence that they are really helping in any way due to lack of precedent. But again... what medical efforts are there that aren't possibly futile? Some allergy medicine simply doesn't work for some people. So what? They try different kinds until they get it right. If a patient is close to dying, you would think the family and the doctors should put at least as much effort into keeping that person alive as a healthy person would put into relieving their nasal symptoms.
I think it's bullshit for a doctor to say there's nothing they can do for a patient that is still alive. Of course there are things they can do to both minimize pain and promote recovery if the patient is (or was previously) willing and if the family knows it. How the Hell are doctors supposed to get better at saving lives if they continue killing their patients before a precedent can be made where they try to keep the patient alive until they are dead dead instead of cutting them off sooner?
@ctaretz@xanga - There was a recent rash of Death angel killings and for sure there are people who are angry that Death was hastened. In real life my mother fell into a coma and things were not looking good for her. My younger brother was in favor of pulling the plug (yes my mother did have that wish to not have unusual or extrordinary means to keep her alive) and I countered my brother in stating that one other brother should be around for that decision. In a way I "pussied out" and used that excuse to have my mother remain alive but still having another brother around and most of the family there participating in the death of a loved one is a good reasonable request.
I would never want anyone to be in the position of pulling the plug, it is still a hard position to take, I don't think any Macho person would want that choice in real life.
@Lynn Males@facebook - You're sure as hell not mentally healthy. It's like you're wearing a giant neon sign that's essentially screaming "HEY WORLD, I'M A COMPLETE SOCIOPATH WHO DIDN'T GET HUGGED ENOUGH BY MY DAD SO I LET HIM DIE! ALSO I'M AN ATTENTION WHORE WHO FAKED HIS OWN DEATH BECAUSE I WASN'T GETTING ATTENTION FROM THE INTERNET."
See? Giant fucking neon sign to tell sane people to stay away from you lest they put you out of your misery.
YES! I am all foreuthanasia...but the other debate is why does everyone or anyone think that "it will end suffering?"
What proof is there (other than the bible, which many people don't even read or believe in anymore) that ensures that when we die there is no more pain and suffering?
Maybe life on earth is just the beginning of Hell........and when we die, we go onto an even worse life filled with even more suffering, corruption and perversion.....and then we die again it gets worse again. Maybe it's just a never-ending life and death cycle which only gets worse each time we die.
There is no TRUE evidence that life gets better after we "die."
I believe in minimizing harm, and euthanasia can be an act of compassion. However, I think it's wrong if people pull the plug on an individual who did not want to be euthanized. Instances where the family/friends/doctors are uncertain of the ill individual's wishes should be dealt with on a case by case basis.
There is a loophole, though. From what I understand, it is technically legal in the US to refuse food and water and die of dehydration as a means of euthanasia. (Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.) The person has to be in a place where there won't be medical intervention preventing it from being effective, but it would be helpful if there were people around to assist the individual in coping with the pain of dehydration.
I don't want other people to tell me when my life is worthy and when it isn't and I think that idea is dangerous.
Instead of seeing your "spiritual views" (quotation marks because it does not seem like you agree with it in your heart but just bc you want to listen to what you are told) as a burden that stands in the way to make that decision of which you seem to have a pretty clear (but I believe naive) opinion, maybe ask yourself why according to your religion it should only be god (or nature for the atheists) who decides.
I think it is so because as soon as we start labelling life as unworthy humans will use it as an excuse to murder everyone who doesn't fit ito their concept of having a problem-free life.
I personally don't think it is easier or harder for anyone bc of the religion. The difference lies between people who never even got close to feeling unwanted, excluded from sociey and or afraid of death and those who did.
Or depressed people with a morbid view who claim they want to get killed because they have no hope for the world to become compassionate anyway.
p.s.: sorry for being snippy here and on revelife...I am a friendly person, but that SCARES ME TO DEATH.
I fully support euthanasia. If someone was signed a DNR form, nobody else should have the right to override that decision. If someone wants to taken off a machine and doesn't want to be kept alive by a ventilator, that's 100% their right. Nobody else should be able to tell them that's wrong.
Withholding food and water from an incapacitated person does cause death, not as painful as you might imagine. Google Terri Schiavo. As for medically terminating a life, we have a situation in the U.S. where a Doctor can terminate a life, without asking the person if they'd like that or not, even if the person is perfectly healthy. It's called abortion, and it happens every day. Little people with the potential for 70-80 years or more of life ahead of them, perfectly healthy, yet we can suck their brains into a sink, call them a "tissue mass" instead of a human, and kill them. All without their permission or opinion. All for the convenience of the mother.
As for the hate mongering trolls on here, shame Healthkicker and the other sites don't ban you. I, for one, have neither the time or patience to wade through the sewer of your posts, slinging crap at one another. Get a life. If you cannot contribute something pertinent to the conversation, GTFO.
I'm for passive euthanasia, and generally against active euthanasia.
@Lynn Males@facebook - In cases where the person cannot say what they want- or depending on other laws- even when they just have someone in charge of them, because they are for example mentally disabled or underage it is exactly that.
You have the right to kill yourself (for example if you lose a leg or whatever). Making it legal to drag other people especially doctors into it is a totally different story- it makes murder to easy.