The falseness of "Death with Dignity"

[runningdude]

Some thoughts that have been brewing since an editorial a couple weeks back argued for euthanasia (an indefensible evil) because it offers “death with dignity”.

But it got me thinking about why someone would rather die “on their own terms”, rather than face potentially months or years of hospitalization or convalescence. On its face, its almost a rational argument. Why go through the humiliation and pain of being totally dependent on others when it could all be over quick. The end result is the same death.

On the other hand, after reflection, I recognize the inherent dignity of the human person. A man or woman is not dignified by his or actions, or wealth, or ability to physically provide for oneself or others. No, a person’s dignity is a gift given alone from God!

 

[atheistgirl]

It’s not false to those that wish to take control over where and when and with whom they wish to die.
While I know I could simply never help another person to die even if it was their wish, I can see the frustration of what someone, incontinent of urine and faeces, having to be nursed 24/7, unable to move or speak perhaps, having to be fed and utterly reliant on someone else for food and water and fresh air, and with no possibility of recovery and in incurable pain, must feel and why they would not want to go on like that.
They themselves see no dignity in their life, even though we might but feel they can retain some dignity and some control by deciding they no longer wish to go on as they are.

Sarah x

 

[ConstantineTG]

There is this song we sing at Mass in the Philippines, its in Tagalog and its called “Pananagutan”. In English it means “Responsibility”. The song goes like this:

Walang sinuman ang nabubuhay para sa sarili lamang
(No one ever lives only for himself)
Walang sinuman ang namamatay para sa sarili lamang
(No one ever dies only for himself)
Tayong lahat ay may pananagutan sa isa’t isa
(Each one of us has a responsibility towards one another)
Tayong lahat at tinipon ng Diyos na kapiling niya
(Each one of us is gathered together by God to be with Him)

I hope I did a good job with the translation. But it speaks that our lives are not only not our own, but we do not live only for ourselves. That is why if we make a choice to end our lives before its natural end, we do this as a disservice to God and to the people we love. Our lives, every minute, every second, affects others directly and indirectly. We should be aware of that.