The beginning of the end of a cruel, impractical edict

The Guardian ^ | 12.13.08 | Polly Toynbee

[Lurker]

No response to post 15?

[StonyMan451]

While he was still Cardinal Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI is reported to have said "If anyone wants to understand what is happening in the world, he should read 'Lord of the World' by Robert Hugh Benson."

I took his advice, and I have to say, I believe Benson was prophetic. Over 100 years ago he predicted exactly this attitude, and he got the timing right, too. But there's so much more in the book. I heartily recommend it, too.

[Running On Empty]

You are right. This is a very revealing statement and is the surest indicator of where the author is coming from.

I’m glad you called it to my attention.

Apparently, the author thinks that God’s call isn’t the correct one.

[sig226]

Well, now we know how to get of the gun ban in England - they need to able to shoot themselves.

[sionnsar]

Not tonight, I am way too tired. And I've been down this road way too many times with slippery-slope deniers to re-engage this argument this evening.

You choose to disbelieve, Lurker -- okay, it's an option, it's your choice. Jesus said many will choose it and it seems you intend to be one of those. Okay, that's your choice.

I'll say a prayer tonight for you. Beyond that, your salvation and your eternal life is your own responsibility -- just as for each of us, our salvation is our responsibility.

But if you ever change your thinking about life, death and eternal life, Lurker, do let me know.

[editor-surveyor]

" To the militant anti-life liberal, a human is comparable to a dog."

To me, the liberal is somewhat below the dog.

[Lurker]

Jesus said many will choose it and it seems you intend to be one of those.

You're wrong. I haven't chosen anything, yet.

I asked "What if I'm dying in terrible pain and any further medical treatment is bankrupting my family?"

That's not a slope. It's a very specific question.

You can chose not to answer it. That's your choice.

L

[Grizzled Bear]

If I've got terminal cancer...

If my aunt had testicles she'd be my uncle.

There's always a *chance* you'll get cancer some day. Why should you take chances? Rock on with your bad self...

[Grizzled Bear]

No response to post 15?

See post 28. Actually Lurker, your a bit of a burden on me. Will you do the right thing and stop being an inconvenience?

[combat_boots]

“an attorney who worked for George Felos in the Terri Schiavo case”

Thus, evil will reign.

Soros. Project on Death and Dying. Now coming to the DOJ.

God save those who believe in Christ Jesus.

[sionnsar]

Okay, You haven't chosen then.

I have given my answer. You choose for yourself, and you deal with the consequences.

[Lurker]

Will you do the right thing and stop being an inconvenience?

Bite me.

L

[Chickensoup]

Thank you

[The Great RJ]

The Nazis produced a great propaganda film called “Life Without Life” that made the same arguments about ending lives that were without “life”. Look where that took them.

[nina0113]

If I've got terminal cancer and my continued 'treatment' will do nothing more than bankrupt my family, I'd say a large dose of self-administered morphine would fall under the same exemption.

Sorry, I went to bed right after my last post. Long day on the Christmas-cookie assembly line!

The only treatment morally required is food and water, the cost of which would be the same regardless of whether you live or die, except that if you're dying I MIGHT be inclined to spring for some really good chocolates while you're in the hospital. Since it's you, I'll even sneak in a couple bottles of homebrew. Pain medications aren't terribly expensive either.

This is about people not wanting to live in a handicapped state, and making it become socially acceptable to kill them. The next stop after the 'right' to die is the 'duty' to die.

[Grizzled Bear]

Bite me.

This is the thanks I get after I support your right to commit suicide? How rude!

[Lurker]

Since it's you, I'll even sneak in a couple bottles of homebrew.

You madame are a Princess.

L

[dbz77]

And we should stop suicide because...

[dbz77]

I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody who asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect.

Almost any drug can be deadly in large enough doses.

[MathDoc]

"I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody who asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect." Almost any drug can be deadly in large enough doses.

While I'm not a doctor, if someone mentioned that he wanted to kill himself and said that enough Tylenol would do it, I would not buy the Tylenol for him. I think intent is the point of this oath, and one can comply with the pledge without splitting hairs.