What do you all think about this Right to Die case in Florida?

[Princess Zelda of Hyrule]

I don't really see why a Christian would want to live as long as possible. Isn't Heaven supposed to be a lot better than earthly life?

Of course, but the Christian life isn't about dying and going to heaven. We've got plenty to do in this world, too.

[Zelda the Beautiful]

The bottom line - as I see it, anyway - is this: Those machines will keep her alive indefinitely, and, for all we know, beyond our own lifetime. She has to die someday. If we can't let her die now, then when? Answer that.

[ November 02, 2003, 06:52 PM: Message edited by: Zelda of Hyrule is sick of homework ]

[Vinny]

Originally posted by Princess Zelda of Hyrule: God Bless:
If you're going to use the argument that "man made the machines, and not God" as a reason why people shouldn't be hooked up, then we shouldn't have hospitals to treat curable ailments, either, shouldn't we? Men invented scalpels, too.

That's why I'm not a Christian . Hehe, I'm just kidding. You have a point there.

I don't think that you should kill yourself just because you're gonna die. What I mean is that if the only thing that you can possibly get out of life is suffering, if there is no joy left in life for you, then I just don't see a point in continuing your existence if you don't want to.

Personally, I wouldn't want to live a miserable life for the sole reason that others are attached to me. I mean, I like making people happy, but this is a bit extreme.

When you think about it, she's not really "alive." Ok, I know that doesn't sound very reasonable. I'm trying to find a better way to word that but I can't, really. What I mean is that she's breathing and sleeping and she's technically alive from a scientific point of view, but in reality all she's doing is lying down doing absolutely nothing and looking around the room while suffering from a terrible illness. What I mean is in terms of interaction with the people around her, it wouldn't be much more different if she were dead. I mean, all her parents get to do is see her blinking and looking around the room, how much difference would it make if she died? The only thing that would happen is that they wouldn't be able to see her in a hospital bed, really. Besides that, the level of interaction between them wouldn't change.

That was worded terribly, I know. Maybe I can do it better next post.

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[ November 02, 2003, 12:46 PM: Message edited by: Vinny the Ninny ]

[Zelda the Beautiful]

^ I couldn't have worded it better myself, actually.

How can anything good possibly come from spending thousands of dollars each year - might I add, on equipment that could be used for people who actually need it - just to keep a jagged line on a pulsimeter? That her parents would keep putting so much time, energy, and money into something they already know to be impossible is the very definition of insanity. What can they do besides look at her? If that's all they want, then why don't they just consider taxidermy? It would be much kinder.

[ November 02, 2003, 07:15 PM: Message edited by: Zelda of Hyrule is sick of homework ]

[Princess Zelda of Hyrule]

Why did you skip my 2nd point? I know that Christians have work to do on earth, but this woman is obviously incapable of doing so. Doesn't the fact that she's only alive because of machines mean that it was her time to go?

I personally believe (but would never DREAM of pushing it on anyone!) that she is faced with a choice: die, go to Heaven, be out of pain, or to live, be in pain, and honor her family. Obviously, if they're pushing this hard, they would passionately hate to lose her. Serve the self, or serve the family?

When you think about it, she's not really "alive." Ok, I know that doesn't sound very reasonable. I'm trying to find a better way to word that but I can't, really. What I mean is that she's breathing and sleeping and she's technically alive from a scientific point of view, but in reality all she's doing is lying down doing absolutely nothing and looking around the room while suffering from a terrible illness. What I mean is in terms of interaction with the people around her, it wouldn't be much more different if she were dead. I mean, all her parents get to do is see her blinking and looking around the room, how much difference would it make if she died? The only thing that would happen is that they wouldn't be able to see her in a hospital bed, really. Besides that, the level of interaction between them wouldn't change.

Grief isn't very practical, is it?

[Princess Zelda of Hyrule]

might I add, on equipment that could be used for people who actually need it

What next? We should steal from the rich to give to the poor? If people have the means and the desire to access expensive equipment, then "fairness" aside--it's theirs.

That her parents would keep putting so much time, energy, and money into something they already know to be impossible is the very definition of insanity.

Maybe it's insanity, maybe it's grief gone too far, but it's definitely passion. If I were the woman, I honestly don't know what choice I would make, but I'd definitely feel a tug thinking about how badly somebody wants me to live.

What can they do besides look at her? If that's all they want, then why don't they just consider taxidermy? It would be much kinder.

You think the parents are crazy now? Think how crazy they'd be if she died. They don't want to "look at her". They just want to know that, no matter what, their daughter is alive. I don't disagree with you that it's selfish. But wouldn't it also be a little bit selfish of the woman to choose to die, knowing that somebody wants her so badly that they've gone, in your words, "insane"?