I have had my Chesterton tagline for some time now, but for some reason it seems very appropriate right now. If you have moral convictions, then the answer is crystal clear what to do in this case. If you don't, then it's murky.
Of course we all want to go with Jesus! If it's so great, let's all go ahead and start going right now! This world just sucks so bad, why should my kids have to suffer through it? I should just send them to Jesus! (I am not advocating suicide or murder here for anyone who thinks I am completely losing it, just making a point)
My 85 year old grandfather's health is getting worse by the day. He's not really eating and he's getting weaker, but he's alert and seems to be mentally all there. But since he's just going to get worse--why don't we just help him along? He'd want to be with Jesus, right? (for the record, my grandfather is Catholic and wouldn't advocate suicide for himself or anyone else)
Okay, do we have any takers to go to Jesus now? What? You say suicide is a sin? Well, I say starving and dehydrating a human being to death is a sin too, but I see a lot of people disagreeing with me. So which way is it?
i agree with you. all believers want to go to be with Jesus, that doesn't mean we are going to drink the Jim Jones koolaid and do it from now. that is the problem i had with Boortz' take on this. of course heaven is better than earth, so what are we all still doing here? I am Catholic also and the Church's teaching on end of life is very clear and easy to follow. and moral.
Big difference between that and someone who has been in a PVS for 15 years, don't you think?
Can't drink or eat for 15 years except through a tube, can't go to the bathroom by herself for 15 years, has had no conscious thought in her mind in 15 years.
She doesn't even know her name or realize her existence for 15 years. And this person also expressed a desire not to be kept alive by artificial means as well.
I'd say there is a great difference between them.
It is very appropriate...this is what happens when people abandon principles.