Posted on 10/21/2014 3:53:33 PM PDT by Faith Presses On
Brittany Maynard, a 29 year old newlywed with a diagnosed terminal illness is choosing to end her life in a dignified manner. Since then, there have been an overwhelming response from my fellow Christians decrying this decision, an Open Letter from Kara Tippetts hosted by wildly popular author Ann Voskamp, as well a letter from renowned evangelical influencer, Joni Eareckson Tada.
I don't face a terminal illness diagnosis, but I am drawn to this conversation because I believe the brutality of such an impossible decision owns potential for profound beauty. To consider how to die is a tandem reflection on how then, we must live. The intricacies and nuances of this delicate matter require our most tender deliberation in order for us to uphold the sanctity of human life.
The decision to prematurely die with dignity or to let a painful, terminal illness take its course, is an impossible one. Meaning, either path is fraught with unbearable heartbreak and gut wrenching realities.
Anyone who has to make this decision is a hero.
They are brave and beautiful and they provide us a glimpse into the unrelenting courage and resilience of humanity. God resides most fully in places of pain. I peer into the lives of those who suffer deeply for a chance to grasp holiness.
(Excerpt) Read more at huffingtonpost.com ...
An old pastor I knew (who has since passed on) said once that the Bible never specifically forbids suicide, but that it would be “very selfish to go crashing into God’s house uninvited”.
Well, if some people are right, they go to someone else’s house.
Hmm. Amusing point.
This might have some help for you...
http://christianity.about.com/od/whatdoesthebiblesay/a/Bible-Suicide.htm
Who decided that Cindi speaks for YHvH ?
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach
Huffington Post. The bible for the left.
they cite it like bible verses on FB and other places.
lining up of another cup of cool aid....
it is good to know the foes ways.
in certain cases where death is inevitble, such as Saul, or Samson, no.
if you are doing it to escape punishment or consequences here, ie cowardly/wicked reasons, yes.
I don’t believe there is a specific quote, “thou shalt not commit suicide,” however, the discussion about life and the taking of life is all throughout the Bible. Additionally, the 5th Commandment clearly states that shalt not kill (murder)Ex 20:13.
I recommend you read this short section on the 5th Commandment from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (includes Biblical citations) http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a5.htm
Suicide is called out in Paragraphs 2280-2283.
It is a fairly short read.
As I recall, Jesus was a Guy into healing rather than killing people. He even raised them from the dead... I think human life was a tad more important to Him than to any knuckle dragging liberal on earth.
I didn’t say it would be without consequence, and you’re right.
the differences are in the kind of action. A person who is on an artificial and extraordinary means to preserve life that would end normally, without a certain hope of recovery, it would be ok in this case to turn off the machine.
This is not the same kind of action as that of taking poison pills, or overdosing on medication because you experience discomfort.
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” Deuteronomy 30:19
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