What is your opinion on euthanasia?

[proudfather]

In case you were wondering, euthanasia comes from the Greek word ευθανασία, which literally means "good death". It refers to the practice of ending a life in a manner which relieves pain and suffering. Is it Biblical? A couple of verses come to mind.

Job 2:8-10 (Today's New International Version)
8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.

9 His wife said to him, "Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!"

10 He replied, "You are talking like a foolish [a] woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"

If ever there was a man that wanted to die, it was Job. He was miserable, but he refused to end his life.

The story of Saul's death comes to mind as well.

1 Samuel 31:4-5 (New King James Version)
4 Then Saul said to his armorbearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and thrust me through and abuse me.”
But his armorbearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it. 5 And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword, and died with him.

His armorbearer refused to kill him, even though Saul was in a miserable condition.

Dr. Kevorkian practiced euthanasia, but he was also considered to be a serial killer. So what do you think? Is it right or wrong?

[iceniez]

Young People from Korea ?

[Rose]

"Thou shalt not kill" is pretty plain to me.

[Truthseeker]

I think sometimes medical intervention kept going to long.

[OnTheFritz]

Originally Posted by Rose

"Thou shalt not kill" is pretty plain to me.

Do you support military action? I understand this is apples to oranges - just curious. Are there exceptions?

[proudfather]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

I think sometimes medical intervention kept going to long.

That's a good point, even if I don't agree with you in this context. Anyone want to explain the difference between euthanasia and refusing a feeding tube for a relative?

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by proudfather

That's a good point, even if I don't agree with you in this context. Anyone want to explain the difference between euthanasia and refusing a feeding tube for a relative?

One is actually taking a life while another is just withdrawing medical intervention. IMO big difference.

95 yr old grandma has a stroke that leaves her totally wiped out, most would not intubate her or put tubes and such. Just keep her comfertable.

95 year old that is alert but slowing losing her health request someone kill her is not the same as above.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by proudfather

That's a good point, even if I don't agree with you in this context. Anyone want to explain the difference between euthanasia and refusing a feeding tube for a relative?

Anytime we are kept alive by medication thats un natural. Refusing the meds would not be killing yourself.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

One is actually taking a life while another is just withdrawing medical intervention. IMO big difference.

. . .

If medicine or machinery is needed to sustain life, then withdrawing it is not different from, say, withdrawing anything else needed to sustain life, such as air or food. At least, it's not a big difference, IMO.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Timmy

If medicine or machinery is needed to sustain life, then withdrawing it is not different from, say, withdrawing anything else needed to sustain life, such as air or food. At least, it's not a big difference, IMO.

And think about this: if someone was temporarily on a life support device of some kind, but the outlook for recovery was good, and someone sneaked in at night and disconnected it and the patient died, wouldn't there be a good case for a murder conviction?