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Re:
"...Her soul is trapped . . . . . in that coffin of a body...."
(a quote, or a very close paraphrase of a comment repeated
by Deep_6 at FR a number of times)...."
"...Isn't it equally possible that Terri's soul in fact parted her
body at the same time that her mind/etc. came to longer exist?..."
I'm an agnostic at heart, and not the theologian I wish I could be;
a dislike of organized religion, with a strong belief in God.
With that said.......
Terri's body is being kept alive artificially, through a life support
system utilizing a feeding apparatus.
I'm not sure what comprises a soul; what it consists of, or where
it goes when the body dies, or if it leaves before the body is dead.
I would like to believe our souls live on, perhaps moving to
another form after we die. A dog perhaps? A cat? Bird? Or another
human body? We may loose all our memories in the process,
but keep some very unique character trait that sets us apart from
others. I suppose it's just a crazy eccentric thought of mine?
Is Terri still inside that shell? The question can be horrifying, if
it is considered that she cannot converse in any manner to let
anyone know she's even alive in there. It would be akin to
being buried alive; in a coffin. If her brain is active; if there can
be proof given that there are brainwaves; thinking, in response
to stimuli that would ordinarily result in voluntary action,
it could be considered that Terri is indeed still in there.
If not.... then I would feel Terri's body is without Terri; that
her soul has moved on.
I posted a number of URLs on another thread, all giving the
clergy's views on the removal of a life support system. I was
surprised that even the Catholic Church condones the removal
of such a system, even when that removal will result in death. It
can be genuinely surmised, that the church does not condone
the medical profession using artificial means to sustain a life
when it's time has come due. Sustaining life until a remedy
can be achieved is absolutely acceptable, but sustaining life beyond
the time that any recovery is possible, is fighting our Lord's
wishes.
Do I believe soul and mind are one and the same? Yes. I suppose
I do. It's our inner thoughts and feelings that is our soul.
We refer to those without feelings; without remorse or care,
as "soul less" individuals.
Does Terri's body still contain her soul? Perhaps. If so,
it must be hell for her. She deserves better.
Thanks.