Posted on 09/20/2009 11:19:17 AM PDT by wagglebee
Before she took her own life, Pamela Weston wrote a letter explaining her reasons for ending it all. “There is nothing else I want to do. Nothing else I can do. I’m too weak, too tired. I’ve had a wonderful, happy life. Now it’s over.”
The 87-year-old distinguished classical musician and writer, who in her prime performed at the Festival Hall and for Clement Attlee at No 10 Downing Street, is the latest Briton to commit assisted suicide. She died on September 9 at the Swiss clinic, Dignitas.
News of her death comes as the director of public prosecutions (DPP) prepares to issue legal guidelines on assisted suicide in England and Wales. They are expected to remove the threat of prosecution from anyone who compassionately assists a terminally ill or chronically disabled person to commit suicide. It will remain an offence to influence them.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
The FACT that Swiss authorities are investigating Dignitas suggests otherwise.
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And HOW do they expect to be able to tell, let alone prove, the difference?
Short of a signed confession, who knows whether a relative or friend was being 'compassionate' or just hurrying his inheritance along?
Exactly, it will be illegal, but prosecution will never be pursued.
The way the commie libs are pimping “assisted suicide”, I wonder how much longer it will be before we start hearing about “assisted homicide” and the need to legalize it.
Death isn’t an experience you’ll miss out on if you don’t choose to do it now, rather than wait for later.
In the meantime, you might still be able to do some good, however small.
I was looking more at the legal aspect of this. The rider that 'influencing' will remain an offense is nothing but a fig leaf. There is no way that can be proved, at least not easily. It will wind up being like a will contest case where you're trying to prove 'undue influence' -- except it's a human life at stake instead of some furniture and life insurance proceeds.
I sat on an undue influence jury one time in probate court (why the lawyers would put another lawyer in the jury room is still a complete mystery to me). The evidence was all secondhand and conflicting, and it wound up being a judgment call based on the demeanor of the witnesses.
It's one thing to decide a fuzzy case like that when the burden of proof is merely "preponderance of the evidence" -- but in a criminal case, it's "beyond a reasonable doubt". It would be a rare case of "influence" that could meet the "reasonable doubt" standard.
It is absolutely horrifying to see how far the British Common Law has fallen, and how fast. The legal system that used to be the pride of the world and the guardian of the poor and helpless, is now helping greedy people kill their relatives. Sheesh!
The elderly there should always be looking over their shoulder.Particularly those who are “a burden” or those who have a positive net worth.
I was a hospice volunteer for some time, and read many related books. Most people who want assisted suicide for themselves and/or are advocates for it, are not interested in relief of suffering, although that’s what they often claim. Their main reason (aside from getting rid of undesirables) is to be in control. Instead of humble acceptance of the will of God, they want to snatch control from Him and thumb their nose; in essence saying “I’m the master of my life, not You!”
(You can’t fire me, I quit.)
The end of life is an opportunity to learn many valuable lessons of humility, surrender to God, repentance, experience His protection and love, and to rectify wrongs done, experience forgiveness towards others, say goodbye, and so on. It’s actually a greatly valuable time and to cut it off is a tragedy on many levels. And a great wrong and crime to legalize it.
That makes sense.
The only unforgivable sin, is sin against the Holy Spirit.
....and a few lines later....
Your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit.....
Wanna take a chance this interpretation is inaccurate?
God does not give us more than we can handle and every second can be used for prayer.
The “dignity” nonsense is for family members having a difficult time dealing with a long suffering relative.
And, YES, I’ve been there several times....including my own cancer treatment.
I person who has dignity in life will have it in death, no matter how “undignified” their appearance.
By the culture of death’s reasoning, Hitler somehow had “dignity” and Jesus Christ didn’t.
What an excellent post. You stated it all very well.How sad that some believe they have the right to take ,the very thing that God gave them. He should have the final say ,when ,where and how..All about control ,I suppose.
Real beauty and dignity come from the soul. The earthly shell eventually comes apart for everyone. I agree with you completely.
And G Larry, I’ve seen death close a number of times. The condition of the body is irrelevant at such times. The beauty and dignity of the real eternal person can shine very brightly through the material elements.
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Lord Jesus, you healed so many people during your public ministry. I bring before you now, in prayer, all those who are terminally ill -- those afflicted with cancer, AIDS, and other illnesses.
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Look lovingly and compassionately upon them. Let them feel the strength of your consolation. Help them and their families to accept this cross they are asked to carry. Protect them from euthanasia, Lord.
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Let them see you carrying their cross with them, at their side, as you once carried yours to Calvary. May Mary be there, too, to comfort them.
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Lord Jesus, I know and believe that, if it is your will, you can cure those I pray for (especially N.). I place my trust in you. I pray with faith, but I also pray as you did in Gethsemane: your will be done.
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Bless us, Lord, and hear my prayer. Amen.
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| Reprinted from "Queen of Apostles Prayerbook" with permission of copyright holder, Pauline Books & Media, |
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