That’s the difficult part. How do you convince someone who believes in nothingness after life. No redemption, no salvation, no consequence or that morality is relative. Euthanasia in my faith is wrong because it’s not my life to take but to someone who thinks physical existence is all there is it’s nearly impossible to convince them otherwise. That’s why atheism is so damaging to Christian principles.
Death comes to all human beings and for most it is hard, some very hard. Brittany Maynard is no exception to the human condition. no one is suggesting that her suffering be made worse. The Church herself states clearly that death must be accepted naturally and anything done to hasten it is mortally sinful. It is also taught to us that taking means to prolong life if not extreme or hurtful to another, is okay too. We are expected to do as much as we can to deal with illness and yes, CARRY THE CROSS. Not exceptions. It is all our business. It is the Church’s business.
How? You tell them the Truth and trust the convincing part to the Holy Spirit. He does after all, use whatever means we provide Him with. The trick is to given Him the opportunity by speaking up in Truth whenever you get the chance. I’m sure that this gal got talked to by more than one person about her choices and the Truth about what could possibly happen to her soul when she made a daily news event out of all of it. She opened the door and I’m sure more than one Christian got a Word in edgewise for God. She chose not to listen. This morning on the radio show I listen to, the topic was this and the gal talk show host was speculating about the apparent wavering that gave some hope that our prayers on her behalf were having an effect. This was when she made an announcement that she wasn’t sure if the time was yet and it looked like she might change her mind. I kinda thought that Ms. Maynard and her family were afraid that if they didn’t make it appear that she might change her mind, that it would insure that no one would show up on the stated date to try and stop her. That is what I thought, but then again I sometimes have a skeptical mind.
EXACTLY!!! Point missed by Ms. Maynard and all those who think they have more rights than God. No pun intended.
Yes but what made her change her mind. On Oct 29 she was going to postpone the suicide. Suddenly she decides to go through with it on Nov. 1. It sounds very suspicious.
I suspect just one more blasphemy against the sacraments. In this case, Euthanasia is a blasphemy against the Anointing of The Sick which strengthens us in sickness and prepares us to meet death with confidence. Its sacramental grace comforts us in our our sufferings, by supporting us in any final temptations that may assail us, enables us to face eternity unafraid.
"'When doctor-induced death becomes an accepted response to the suffering of dying people, logical extensions grease the slippery slope,' he wrote in a New York Times op-ed. He cited statistics in Holland, where the practice is permitted, that claim more than 40 people sought and received doctor-assisted death for depression and other mental disorders. 'Even the psychiatrist who began this practice in the 90′s recently declared the situation had gone "off the rails."
"'Moral outrage is appropriate and needed to fix the sorry state of dying in America. Legalizing assisted suicide fixes nothing. The principle that doctors must not kill patients stands.'"I was an atheist when I was Ms. Maynard’s age.
In my post above, I mentioned that I had read that she had very recently had one or two major seizures. That may well have contributed to her decision.
That quickly? From 10/29 to 11/1? I don’t think so.
I wonder if someone goaded her or forced to commit suicide???
I hear you. I used to be atheist as well,and very pro euthanasia. I used to view people who were anti euthanasia as evil sadists.I’m a bit of a wimp, I know, but just being in mild pain, like a stiff neck, a cold or, like today, a toothache, I begin to pray to God that He would take me heaven. I’m not suicidal, but I get the sense that I may very will consider suicide if I was in Maynard’s situation. Moreover, I was an atheist most of my life during which I was very pro-euthanasia. Although I do not any longer endorse euthanasia, I understand what Maynard did, and I pray for her. I tremble at the thought of me myself ever having to make that choice. Did she have a human right to end her life? I do not know, and I do not argue one way or the other, but I pray for these types types of people, and I trust God will transform this type of evil into something good.
LOVE!
Hi fred,
As always the media have avoided the real word: she killed herself. She didn't 'choose death'; even 'took her own life ' is euphemistic. When the true word is used - killing or murder- then people squirm. They wouldn't employ the imprecise terms if they didn't want to hid we the reality.The Intention that gave rise to her act (and that of any who may have assisted) was we presume the good intention of easing suffering. But the act chosen was the intrinsic evil of suicide.
Yes, you’re right. It did seem very fishy. It was discussed as I said, by Ms. Tomeo on her radio show and she said she thought she had wavered and that she got pushed into the act by those who had jumped on the band wagon with her. I don’t think that. I think she only stated that perhaps she would change the date to prevent her home from being descended upon by press and thrill seekers and all kinds of various persons, both for and against the issue. I think she stated that so no one would show up on the day to stop her. But of course, we will never know. It is a huge tragedy. It will probably be one of many such things. And who knows? Along with gay marriage, euthanasia may be legalized in our land. Who knows how much lower we go as a country before the bottom gets hit and we can start rebuilding?
Supposing someone profits from her death - insurance policy? Well, maybe I’m wrong, but it sure would make a good story!
This is pure speculation, but I imagine it is possible that she simply stated that she was considering postponing things to reduce the amount of scrutiny she was under by the media. As the day approached, I can only imagine she was getting more and more phone calls when what she would have wanted to do is spend her final moments in private with her family. Saying that she was going to push it back would have given her more space on the actual day.
