The euthanasia question

[Dropship]

If someone is seriously ill in distress and pain and wants to die, is it right to give them something to allow them to slip peacefully away?
Are there any Bible verses for or against, and what are members views on it?

 

[Lifelong_sinner]

Suicide is still suicide, regardless of situation. God has prepared works that we are to carry out before our time comes, but to play by our own rules versus His, is not right.

 

[Rita]

Suicide is still suicide, regardless of situation. God has prepared works that we are to carry out before our time comes, but to play by our own rules versus His, is not right.

And yet we do our utmost to preserve our lives with medicine and health intervention, many would argue that this is also wrong and very worldly.
I do understand and agree with what you have relayed, often have to consider that when I see people in the care home slowly dying, euthanasia is a question that is often debated. I am not totally convinced it is a black and white issue, there are many grey areas.
They increase morphine with end of life , this potentially speeds death up and yet it’s vital in hospice care to relieve pain. So are you potentially playing a part in that persons life ending by agreeing or administering it?
If a person refuses to eat or drink because they have simply given up as their bodies are dying , often the case in the care home, are they still committing suicide or just allowing their bodies to give up the fight ?
As a Christian I would not end my life and would trust that God has a purpose in the timing, but my own compassion and mercy would understand if someone was not able to withstand what they are facing.
Rita

 

[Windmillcharge]

If someone is seriously ill in distress and pain and wants to die, is it right to give them something to allow them to slip peacefully away?
Are there any Bible verses for or against, and what are members views on it?

' Hard casees make bad laws! ' an old but valid saying.

May I sugest that you investigate the Hospice movement.
What are they?

A network of charities in the uk where the dying can go for respite care and go to die.

They do not murder there patients, which is what euthanasia is, but they seek to provide the best possible quality of life to the dying.
They do this by treating the pain, the symptoms rather than the illness, enabling dying patients to have quality time with their families.
Such a treatment is not gentle, the cocktail of drugs used does not prolong life.


But here are two problems for you.
Euthanasia is legal in belgium for the reasons you have suggested, but currently euthanasia is available for those who are depressed and of any age.

Research is very very expencive, it is far cheaper to kill those with expensive long term illnesses.
Is that what you want, because it is a real likley hood where medical insurance is the norm.

 

[Dropship]

Food for thought- the well-known Brit actor Brian Rix was at first against euthanasia, but then became seriously ill and wished he could be helped to die-

WIKI- In August 2016, Rix announced that he was terminally ill, and called for the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia for those dying in severe pain. This was a significant departure from his previous position, as Rix voted against the Assisted Dying Bill in 2006.
He died on 20 August 2016 at Denville Hall in Northwood, London.
Brian Rix - Wikipedia

Are there any Bible verses on the subject?

 

[Rita]

Food for thought- the well-known Brit actor Brian Rix was at first against euthanasia, but then became seriously ill and wished he could be helped to die-

WIKI- In August 2016, Rix announced that he was terminally ill, and called for the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia for those dying in severe pain. This was a significant departure from his previous position, as Rix voted against the Assisted Dying Bill in 2006.
He died on 20 August 2016 at Denville Hall in Northwood, London.
Brian Rix - Wikipedia

Are there any Bible verses on the subject?

That’s a name I have not heard for awhile ….yes I remember him.
Yes,I guess none of us would truly know the real battle if we were seriously ill, like most things it is easy to weigh up when you are not in that place xx

 

[Lifelong_sinner]

Food for thought- the well-known Brit actor Brian Rix was at first against euthanasia, but then became seriously ill and wished he could be helped to die-

WIKI- In August 2016, Rix announced that he was terminally ill, and called for the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia for those dying in severe pain. This was a significant departure from his previous position, as Rix voted against the Assisted Dying Bill in 2006.
He died on 20 August 2016 at Denville Hall in Northwood, London.
Brian Rix - Wikipedia

Are there any Bible verses on the subject?

Deuteronomy 30:19
Job 30:23
Ecclesiastes 8:8

im sure there are more, but clearly the Bible says it is wrong.

 

[Dropship]

..Yes,I guess none of us would truly know the real battle if we were seriously ill, like most things it is easy to weigh up when you are not in that place xx

23 years ago my 76-year-old mothers thyroid packed up and complications arose, we got her into hospital but she was far gone.
After a few days the medic took me aside and told me they could probably keep her alive with drugs for a long time to come, but that it might be best to stop medication and let her slip peacefully away.
I looked at her and realised she was virtually brain dead and trapped in her body, so I said to him "yes, do what you think best", so they pulled the plug and she died peacefully in the night and her soul was free to fly..

 

[Dropship]

Deuteronomy 30:19
Job 30:23
Ecclesiastes 8:8
im sure there are more, but clearly the Bible says it is wrong.

On the other hand Jesus said:-"The spirit within gives life, the flesh alone is worthless" (John 6:63 )

 

[Lifelong_sinner]

23 years ago my 76-year-old mothers thyroid packed up and complications arose, we got her into hospital but she was far gone.
After a few days the medic took me aside and told me they could probably keep her alive with drugs for a long time to come, but that it might be best to stop medication and let her slip peacefully away.
I looked at her and realised she was virtually brain dead and trapped in her body, so I said to him "yes, do what you think best", so they pulled the plug and she died peacefully in the night and her soul was free to fly..

thats my biggest fear is that i’ll have to do that with my mom. Did you ever have any regrets?

 

[marks]

If someone is seriously ill in distress and pain and wants to die, is it right to give them something to allow them to slip peacefully away?
Are there any Bible verses for or against, and what are members views on it?

Having committed suicide, and not dying, I've come to conclude that God is in fact in control of when we live and die. Not counting attempts that could have worked but didn't, the one I look at was when I took a 4X fatal drug overdose, and was not affected. None of them worked.

With that being said, I believe that attempting such things is working against the purposes of God, Who alone knows what is truly best for us. If we can trust Him to provide and withhold such things as be according to His design for our lives, we will accept pain and distress as even still containing their own gift from God.

I never tire of sharing my dying sister's words - my brother found a letter to me in her things - "I never understood how much God loves me until I was dying of cancer."

I counsel bringing everthing that concerns us to God, and trust that the circumstances of our lives reflect His will for us. Things that seem the most hard are often times the most important, and we can do hard things, and will receive the reward if we do.

Much love!

 

[Naomanos]

23 years ago my 76-year-old mothers thyroid packed up and complications arose, we got her into hospital but she was far gone.
After a few days the medic took me aside and told me they could probably keep her alive with drugs for a long time to come, but that it might be best to stop medication and let her slip peacefully away.
I looked at her and realised she was virtually brain dead and trapped in her body, so I said to him "yes, do what you think best", so they pulled the plug and she died peacefully in the night and her soul was free to fly..

My mother did something similar with my grandfather. He had alzheimer's and kidney failure. So he was going to dialysis three times a week. He was detiorating pretty quickly from the kidney failure. He was sick all the time and didn't want to go to dialysis. My mom asked his doctor what to do and he said to stop the dialysis and let him drift off to sleep and he'll die in his sleep peacefully.

That's what she did. He died the night before 9/11 and I didn't know which to grieve more for, my grandfather or all the men and women that lost their lives.

 

[Behold]

If someone is seriously ill in distress and pain and wants to die, is it right to give them something to allow them to slip peacefully away?
Are there any Bible verses for or against, and what are members views on it?

Samson, was a suicide.
He's not in Hell.
The NT says that Samson is a "Hero of the Faith".

Being born again, means that your Spirit is already, a Son/Daughter of God...... Your body isn't, as its "dead because of sin", and will be buried in a hole in a box, or cremated, and you'll get a new one.
So, if you have it ended by euthanasia, you have only ended the body early, or have you????

So, is it merciful to be in so much pain, that you can't stand it, and you want to end THAT, and someone does?

I hope that you realize that a DOCTOR has 2 purposes in your life.
To help you live or to help you die.
Did you know that?

So, Is it merciful to allow you to go to sleep and wake up on the other side if you are dying and suffering, as long as you are born again?
Is it possible that your life can be over , and yet you are still breathing, and you know and can't stand it another second?
Is is possible to have created such a ruined life, that there is no way out or way back, and you need to end the torture you are in for years?

Well, all of the above is YES, and also........ "prayer changes things"....>"God works out all things for your good".
That is the other side of the coin.

But, i have to be honest with REALTY, and there is a thing called TIME, and suffering TOO LONG, while you wait, isn't completely heroic.
Ending your life, because you are too sick and in too much pain to have a life, or stand it, is not cowardice.

Hebrews 9:27, says, that we all have an "appointed time" to die.
So, is ending your life, not that appointment ????, or... is living past your health, trying to cling to life, because you are afraid to die....is that worth living ?

Here is the thing...
Its your Life, but never cling to this life down here to the point that proves you have no real hope of Heaven, and are "In the world and OF IT".
See that?

Should you look forward to dying? = Yes, if you are born again... not the actual death, as that is not what anyone wants to deal with, but, Saint, Reader....DEATH is but a DOOR that Leads us to JESUS and the FATHER and all the redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb.
Paul wanted to die, long before he did., as He said that it is far better , far better, to leave this mortal coil and be with Jesus, instantly.
How could it not be?
The reasons to stay down here, would include, youth, health, family, and ministry.
But never think that being down here, can compare with being up there.

Passing from this place, is only a problem, if you are not born again.

"you must be born again"...>Jesus said.

 

[dhh712]

If someone is seriously ill in distress and pain and wants to die, is it right to give them something to allow them to slip peacefully away?
Are there any Bible verses for or against, and what are members views on it?

Murder is murder whenever it does occur. It is only God who has a right to end a life, of course barring those circumstances under which the civil magistrate enacts the punishment of death in return for a life being taken.

So euthanasia is wrong according to the word of God. Those who worship the comfort of life think it is okay. Of course, I cannot say what I would do or would want to do if I am in that position. I can only pray that God would give me the strength and grace to love his word, the incarnate word Jesus, above everything else.

 

[dhh712]

23 years ago my 76-year-old mothers thyroid packed up and complications arose, we got her into hospital but she was far gone.
After a few days the medic took me aside and told me they could probably keep her alive with drugs for a long time to come, but that it might be best to stop medication and let her slip peacefully away.
I looked at her and realised she was virtually brain dead and trapped in her body, so I said to him "yes, do what you think best", so they pulled the plug and she died peacefully in the night and her soul was free to fly..

I did something similar with my husband when he had a massive stroke. The doctors said he could live but it would be very difficult for him. I knew he would not want this since he was fiercely independent. He was on life support until the day after Christmas. I took him off that and he was called home to the Lord on the 27th. I have no regrets in that decision.

 

[Behold]

I did something similar with my husband when he had a massive stroke. The doctors said he could live but it would be very difficult for him. I knew he would not want this since he was fiercely independent. He was on life support until the day after Christmas. I took him off that and he was called home to the Lord on the 27th. I have no regrets in that decision.

God bless you for your decision.
You made the right choice for Him.
Most dont understand how much Love it takes to let them Go.
He'll thank you for it when you see Him again, in Glory.

 

[marks]

I did something similar with my husband when he had a massive stroke. The doctors said he could live but it would be very difficult for him. I knew he would not want this since he was fiercely independent. He was on life support until the day after Christmas. I took him off that and he was called home to the Lord on the 27th. I have no regrets in that decision.

My father was diabetic, and also suffered from extreme Rheumatoid arthritis. He literally walked on the sides of his feet, they were turned so far inwards.

In his early 50's he developed a sore on his foot that did not heal. His doctors told him if he did not have his foot removed, it would eventually infect his blood and kill him, which given his refusal to do so, happened when he was 56, 28 years ago.

He was of the mind that he had been in so much pain for so many years, he was tired, and whenever God wanted to take him was fine.

Much love!

 

[Behold]

My father was diabetic, and also suffered from extreme Rheumatoid arthritis. He literally walked on the sides of his feet, they were turned so far inwards.
In his early 50's he developed a sore on his foot that did not heal. His doctors told him if he did not have his foot removed, it would eventually infect his blood and kill him, which given his refusal to do so, happened when he was 56, 28 years ago.
He was of the mind that he had been in so much pain for so many years, he was tired, and whenever God wanted to take him was fine.

Much love!

Nice post.

Its interesting to note that.....if people were not running to docs, trying to get a pill to stay alive, and they just let death happen naturally, there would be a lot more people dead right now.
So, this type of artificial continuing, is not natural, and i believe God gives us Docs and Meds....but, there is that other point of view that your dad had, and its valid and its certainly honest.

 

[Dropship]

23 years ago my 76-year-old mothers thyroid packed up and complications arose, we got her into hospital but she was far gone.
After a few days the medic took me aside and told me they could probably keep her alive with drugs for a long time to come, but that it might be best to stop medication and let her slip peacefully away.
I looked at her and realised she was virtually brain dead and trapped in her body, so I said to him "yes, do what you think best", so they pulled the plug and she died peacefully in the night and her soul was free to fly..

thats my biggest fear is that i’ll have to do that with my mom. Did you ever have any regrets?

No I've never had the slightest regret in agreeing with the doctors to let her die, it seemed the most perfect natural thing to do...
In the weeks before, she'd said with sadness "I'm the last one of my family" because her parents, two brothers and a sister had all died over the years and it was weighing heavily on her, so when her illness hit her I simply released her soul from her clapped out body to fly to them.

 

[farouk]

I think there is a distinction between letting nature take its course in a seriously ill person and actually killing someone; of course, with the ingenuity of lawyers, ppl can "prove" virtually anything, but there is a distinction.