Terri Schiavo: The Critical Issue

Lutherans For Life ^ | March 23, 2005 | Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb

[mamaduck]

“Who should decide?” seems to be the critical issue in the Terri Schiavo case. Should it be her estranged husband? Her parents? State courts? State legislature? Federal courts? Congress? Should it be her own decision based on comments she may have made in the past?

“Who should decide?” however, is not the critical issue. It is the decision itself that is the critical issue. It is the decision itself that should horrify us. Stripping away all the rhetoric and editorials, the decision is this: Should Terri Schiavo be killed because she has a disability?

Some will bristle at this. They do so because the line between killing and allowing someone to die has been blurred. “Pull the plug” some have said. But there is no plug to pull. “Her life support should be stopped.” But she is not on life support. “Let her go.” But Terri isn’t “going” anywhere. In order to make an informed and God-pleasing decision in this situation, it is critical to understand that TERRI SCHIAVO IS NOT DYING.

Certainly, we can and should allow the dying to die. When people are dying, their bodily functions begin to shut down. At this point, some treatments can do more harm than good. Even food and water can be a problem if the body is no longer able to process them. But to remove food and water from someone like Terri, who is very much alive, will not allow her to die, it will cause her to die. It will kill her.

Should Terri Schiavo be killed because she has a disability? Some will bristle at this because they do not see Terri as disabled. But is there a fundamental difference between not being able to use portions of your brain and not being able to use your arms? What an insult this is to people with head injuries or mental retardation. People justify such thinking by saying, “I wouldn’t want to live like that.” Well, of course not. No one would want to live like that. But living like that—unable to use your arms or unable to use all of your brain—does not diminish your value as a human being. “Living like that” should not condemn anyone to a death sentence. Would those who support the decision not to feed Terri Schiavo support a decision by a couple to stop feeding their disabled daughter who couldn’t use her arms because they just didn’t want her to live like that?

We have received several calls from pastors who are a bit shocked that so many of their people seem to be in favor of removing Terri’s feeding tube. I’m sure some of this comes from misinformation and confusion over the facts. Some of this flows from a genuine desire to be compassionate and to bring an end to what they perceive as Terri’s suffering.

But compassion means to “suffer with” not to kill those who we think are suffering. To kill those who are suffering, even for the most compassionate of reasons, is an insult to our God and Savior Jesus Christ. To say things like, “Well, I wouldn’t want to live like that.” or “What kind of life is that?” denies that our value comes from what God has done and not from what we are able to do. Such thinking denies that God is powerful enough and wise enough to give meaning and purpose to every life regardless of mental or physical condition. Who do we think we are to say that Terri Schiavo would be “better off dead”? “Do you question me about my children, or give me orders about the work of my hands?” (Isaiah 45:11) God does not need our advice as to what gives value and purpose to a particular life. He gives value to every life because every life is the work of His hands (Psalm 139:13-14). He gives value to every life because every life is someone for whom Jesus died (1 Corinthians 6:20). God is the author of life. God gives life meaning and purpose. God determines when His meaning and purpose for a particular life is complete.

Christians, who stand under the cross on Good Friday and rejoice at the empty tomb on Easter Sunday, should know better than to question whether or not God can work in and through suffering. The darkest suffering of all time—Jesus, suffering for humanity’s sins on the cross—brought about the brightest good of all time—humanity, redeemed from sin and eternal life to all who believe. To deny the power of God to bring meaning and purpose to any life is to deny the power of the cross and the empty tomb.

Just as God was hiding in the darkness of Good Friday waiting to reveal His glory, just as He was hiding in the life of the man born blind so that the “work of God might be displayed” (John 9:3), so He hides in the darkness of people’s lives today waiting to reveal how He might be glorified in it all. God is “hiding” in the life of Terri Schiavo and in the lives of those like her who have severe disabilities waiting to be glorified. We do not glorify the Lord of Life by killing such as these. We glorify Him by caring for and serving such as these. For whatever we do to these we are doing to Jesus Himself (Matthew 25:40).

Advance Directives

The Terri Schiavo case has produced a renewed interest in advance directives. People want to avoid this kind of situation in their lives and are flocking to sign living wills and other end-of-life directives. Lutherans For Life does not oppose advance directives. We do, however, offer caution on some of the living wills out there. Many of them contain ambiguous language that may be interpreted in a way you did not intend.

To learn more about advance directives and what is proper for the Christian, we recommend our booklet The Basics of Advance Directives. To order click here.

We also recommend the Medical Directive Statements produced by Christian Life Resources. To find out more and to order go to:

http://www.christianliferesources.com/cgi-bin/home.pl?mdstatement

[palmer]

Some of this flows from a genuine desire to be compassionate and to bring an end to what they perceive as Terri's suffering.

I can't help thinking there must be some better way to relieve Michael Schiavo's suffering.

[TXBubba]

Thank you for that post.

[SmithL]

I went to the site and saw nothing to indicate that this was an ELCA-sponsored site. But then, I assumed as much from reading the article.

[PFKEY]

bring an end to what they perceive as Terri's suffering.

If she is not PVS then I suspect she us suffering.

Image laying in a quiet empty room, days after day and years after year.

She would be sufering from mental anguish.

[MHGinTN]

With a perniciously leftist media (I offer for evidence the twisted liberalism of the ABC poll so many are touting), too many lazy minded Americans have fallen for the lies and now believe Terri is a carrot and to 'let her die' would be merciful to her. This case illustartes all to graphically why 1) the judiciary must be reined in by the legislative, and 2) why the lamestream media is one of the most dangerous enemies to this Republic we now face. Goebbels would be proud of them though, and that must warm a few of their twisted hearts (like Dan Blather and Ted Copulate, Paul Bagheadallah, Chrissy with hissy Matthews, and Petah Jennings).

[GeekDejure]

The 23rd Psalm --- Translated to Terri's Present Reality !!!

The Lord is Terri's Shepherd --- That's Relationship !!!
She shall not want --- That's Supply !!!
He maketh her to lie down in green pastures --- That's Rest !!!
He leadeth her beside the still waters --- That's Refreshment !!!
He restoreth her soul --- That's Healing !!!
He leadeth her in the paths of righteousness --- That's Guidance !!!
For His name sake --- That's Purpose !!!
Yea, though Terri walks through the valley of the shadow of death --- That's Testing !!!
She will fear no evil --- That's Protection !!!
For Thou art with her --- That's Faithfulness !!!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort her --- That's Discipline !!!
Thou preparest a table before Terri in the presence of her enemies--- That's Hope !!!
Thou annointest her head with oil --- That's Consecration !!!
Her cup runneth over --- That's Abundance !!!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow Terri all the days of her life --- That's Blessing !!!
And she will dwell in the house of the Lord --- That's Security!!!
Forever --- That's Eternity !!!
Congressional Subpoena & President Signs Schiavo Bill --- That's Expectation !!!
Gov. Jeb Bush takes Terri into protective custody --- That's Deliverance !!!

Face it ---- The Lord is crazy about Terri !!!
Otherwise --- Why else would He continuously deliver her from
the evil hands of her attempted murderers ???

.

[CitizenM]

Terri really does need a miracle now. We are beyond human sensability with the courts and those who have agendas that are not based on compassionate understanding. We need a real, honest-from-God miracle.

Please, I don't mean to sound ridiculous, I am reaching deep inside my spirituality to find some help for her, and hope for all of us. We know there were miracles, most of us believe they happened. But, just in the past? Perhaps the modern day miracles get "poo-pooed" and ignored, or are small, but they are happening. At this time, with all the world watching, a miracle that helps to save Terri is what I pray for.

"Dear God, in Your infinite mercy, and wise judgement grant that Terri Schiavo be saved from the evil darkness that surrounds her. Bring those into the light who now intend to harm her. Shine brightly upon her, her family, and Your children who so need You to act in her favor. Give Terri the strength to endure, beyond all medical and known comprehension, the trial she is now suffering. Bring a miracle upon her so believers and non-believers world-wide alike can see the enormity of Your powers and the strength of pure love. We humbly ask this of you, Our Father, from whom all kindness eminates, and all good flows. We ask this for Terri and for the world that has hardened its heart because of evil's poison. We beg for Your greatest act of compassion, and Your greatest sign of power to bring Terri out of the fog and into the sunshine of this glorious Easter Season. Amen

[glowworm]

She must be a strong woman of high character.. A lesser person would have mentaly cracked or be falling into depression by now..

[cinnathepoet]

Very good article.

[PFKEY]

She must be a strong woman of high character.. A lesser person would have mentaly cracked or be falling into depression by now..

I hope she is.

[palmer]

I think they hate Terri because her life is better than theirs. They may measure her quality of life as low, but that's only using their measurements and values. There are important financial considerations too, since she is not able to respond to their advertisements and go out and buy stuff. People like Felos on the other hand have a very high quality of life because they are able to take 100's of thousands of dollars from people like Michael to spend on stuff and to drive around and find new victims.

[PFKEY]

She must be a strong woman of high character.. A She must be a strong woman of high character.. A lesser person would have mentaly cracked or be falling into depression by now.. lesser person would have mentaly cracked or be falling into depression by now./w i b et more people per dt could

[rhema]

I went to the site and saw nothing to indicate that this was an ELCA-sponsored site. But then, I assumed as much from reading the article.

This ELCA? "At the ELCA's 1997 convention, a resolution to restrict ELCA funding of abortions to the three cases stated above ["clear threat to the life of the woman", "extreme fetal abnormality" incompatible with life, and in cases of rape and incest] was rejected 70%-30%. The ELCA funds elective abortions in the church’s health care coverage for pastors and professional church workers, and some Lutheran-affiliated hospital perform elective abortions."

I hardly think so.