Physician, assisited suicide.

[OneJoe]

Do you agree or disagree with a Physician helping a suffering patient die to avoid any further pain before his/her death. For this poll we are assuming the doctors have agreed there is nothing more they can do to help the patient. In your honest opinion do you agree or disagree? If you have scriptures, please post them. They could really shed light on this topic.

God Bless

[elect lady]

1Sa 31:4 Then said Saul unto his armorbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armorbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.

Here is a request from King Saul, that his armorbearer would kill him because he had been wounded in warfare (1Sa 31:3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.) and he thought if the enemy army found him alive, that they would torture him.

Suffering is never easy to endure or to watch another go through. We have euthanasia for animals that are injured or old and feeble. But we have heard stories that sometimes due to the overcrowding of a Humane Society facility, that animals are euthanized to make room for others.

I visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D. C. Many have heard of Joseph Mengele whom decided who lived and died in the Auschwitz concentration camp. Japan used humans as test animals to test germ warfare effects, referring to the people as logs and taking them to a place called Unit 731 known as a harmless lumber mill. They were dissected alive, with no anesthetic. When a nation passes laws to do euthanasia or assisted-suicide on humans, others will soon find that it becomes a decision on how best to spend health care resources (money) and not on any true concern for the individual.

Countries have used humans for research in demented ways. The atrocities are covered up for the data they will provide. When we begin to take the power of death into our own hands, that power will be abused, it is far better to leave it with our merciful God.

[jeetkunejimi]

Hi onejoe,
I didn't hear your opinion on this matter or is it as of yet unfounded. Here is mine anyway just for the record. We all have the ability to make choices and when someone is indeed dying a slow agonising death we may deem it a better way to go by ending that persons life quickly. Conversly that person may if cognitive enough take a pill themselves to end their suffering. Either way the outcome will be that they who administer the lethal cocktail will forfit their chance of going to the millenial reign.
Judas was remorseful and repented of his very bad choice, but he hung hiself in the potter's field forefitting his previous place in the millenial reign.

Now the real question is how much suffering can we handle prior to our demise, especially those of us who keep His commandments to the best of our ability.
When my mother died it was slow, 40ty days and nights ironically enough. She was a believer in Christ. I could have asked the doctors to end it but I didn't. The commandment to not kill still stands to those who can keep it but to those who have little faith, God will have mercy on them. It is only the false terrible doctrine of eternal hellfire that leaves millions of people every day unsure about where their loved one's are. It is time people started trusting a loving God than making up a hideous saddistic torturer as a god.
I would try not to kill or interveen in someone's suffering but the fact is each circumstance is different, I doubt I could watch my 3yr old daughter suffering in agony with some terrible illness with no obvious cure, maybe I'd pull the plug. But whatever I did God has it in the bag and all things will be covered by His benevolence and gracious providence. That my friend is why you won't find the words responsibility and responsible anywhere in the bible, man is accountable but God is ultimately responsible for everything in the universe physical and spiritual.
So we can't nor should we need to judge anyone in what they do, but rather if we have more truth in us be there for them and do our best to show Chist in us. The box I will tick is 'OTHER', as I wouldn't be so fastuous as to know what the future holds in my phantom free-will, other than to say God knows what He is doing when He allows things to happen and when He chooses to interveen so that His plan is completed perfectly. Amen

[RoMan838]

Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.

No, I do not think that doctors should be in the business of killing people. Palliative/hospice care can be a sensible option for an individual or family who knows that a loved one is dying; however, people should be in the business of comforting the suffering, not killing them. Suicide is not legal in the USA, neither should physician assisted suicide be tolerated.

Having said that, I know that there are now treatments that prolong life without providing much hope of recovering the ability to perform even basic life skills. In cases, such as terminal cancer or unresolvable acute infections, pain management may hasten death without being the actual cause of death. I do not believe such situations to constitute suicide or murder.

Any other scriptures?

[lou]

I would have to agree with Elect and Romans on this. I do not feel that assisted suicide should be allowed. I do not want anyone to suffer needlessly, there are medications out there today that can comfort those and help ease the pain. It is God's Will when he decides to take us.

If we were to allow assisted suicide, then we would be starting something that would just continue to esculate. Thus giving them an inch and not knowing where it would stop. It wouldn't be to impossible to believe that society would eventually want to eliminate those that appear to be a burden on society, such as the elderly, the incurable. the mentally retarded, or criminally insane. It is sad to say that we are at the point now that we can choose the sex of our child, just by aborting the sex one does not wish to have.

No, I believe absolutely not. We are not to play God.


Psalms 31:3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.

[Thirsty]

1Sa 31:4 Then said Saul unto his armorbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armorbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.

Here is a request from King Saul, that his armorbearer would kill him because he had been wounded in warfare (1Sa 31:3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.) and he thought if the enemy army found him alive, that they would torture him.

Suffering is never easy to endure or to watch another go through. We have euthanasia for animals that are injured or old and feeble. But we have heard stories that sometimes due to the overcrowding of a Humane Society facility, that animals are euthanized to make room for others.

I visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D. C. Many have heard of Joseph Mengele whom decided who lived and died in the Auschwitz concentration camp. Japan used humans as test animals to test germ warfare effects, referring to the people as logs and taking them to a place called Unit 731 known as a harmless lumber mill. They were dissected alive, with no anesthetic. When a nation passes laws to do euthanasia or assisted-suicide on humans, others will soon find that it becomes a decision on how best to spend health care resources (money) and not on any true concern for the individual.

Countries have used humans for research in demented ways. The atrocities are covered up for the data they will provide. When we begin to take the power of death into our own hands, that power will be abused, it is far better to leave it with our merciful God.
Amen elect lady...

we are not GOD is the bottome line and we have know right to decide who should live and who should die only GOD

Gen 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Lev 24:17 And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.

[bdstockham]

There is to much opportunity for abuse. Also it was found that Dr. Kovorkians (Dr. Death) patients suffered mainly from depression not so mch their illnesses. There is also effective pain treatments, but that doctors are reluctant to use them. Also it was found when Washington State passed it's assisted suicide bill that insurance plans refused to pay for pain therapy for the dying, trying to force the patient to use the cheaper way . As a Christian I believe in a natural death. I do not believe in keeping someone alive by artificial means, unless they request it or there is a possiblity of recovery.

[The Preacherman]

Hi onejoe,
I didn't hear your opinion on this matter or is it as of yet unfounded. Here is mine anyway just for the record. We all have the ability to make choices and when someone is indeed dying a slow agonising death we may deem it a better way to go by ending that persons life quickly. Conversly that person may if cognitive enough take a pill themselves to end their suffering. Either way the outcome will be that they who administer the lethal cocktail will forfit their chance of going to the millenial reign.
Judas was remorseful and repented of his very bad choice, but he hung hiself in the potter's field forefitting his previous place in the millenial reign.


Where did you get the idea that Judas was ever saved at anytime ????

King David was guilty of murder. Does anyone doubt that King David is in heaven ?

One goes to Hell based on his or her rejection of Christ.

If a saved person commits suicide that person does not lose his or her salvation. Christ died for ALL of our sins, not just some of them.

When he died all of our sins were future.

[iteachart]

I'm a physician (well, an art teacher now), but don't get me wrong - I'm not claiming exclusive authority on this issue. Just wanted to point out a few things...

1) There's a diff between pulling someone off life support (passive death - I support in many cases) and Physician Assisted Suicide (active killing/injections - I refute).

2) The passage of Saul's death does not imply divine affirmation of this event.

3) Somewhat off-topic here, but remorse (regret) does not necessarily equal repentance (turning toward God). Highly doubtful in Judas' case. Peter's 3-time denial of Christ serves as a good comparison of sin/remorse/repentance.

[short-n-sweet]

the biblesays that without repentance, there is no remission of sin. to my way of feeling, suicide is murder of oneself. Once you've done it, there is no time for repence, nor would you probably feel repentent. Is there a hell to be shuned? the bible says so and i would not want to take that gamble to find out.

[jargon5000]

I don't care who you are, physician or not. If you assist in the death of anyone you are no different from the murderers on death row. By the way:

WHAT OTHER ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR ON A CHRISTIAN MESSAGE BOARD!

[Faith]

Where did you get the idea that Judas was ever saved at anytime ????

King David was guilty of murder. Does anyone doubt that King David is in heaven ?

One goes to Hell based on his or her rejection of Christ.

If a saved person commits suicide that person does not lose his or her salvation. Christ died for ALL of our sins, not just some of them.

When he died all of our sins were future.

Actually,

Matthew 7:21

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

King James Bible

[standingonthepromises]

I disagree with physician assisted suicide. God has a plan for our lives and suicide alters that plan. Anyone that believes that they know better than God about when someone should die is a fool and is sinning.

Standing on His promises

[corrie]

While I say that I strongly disagree, I personally (and NOT based on scripture) have found myself lending a sympathetic ear to stories where this has taken place.
I have no idea what I would believe had I been in a situation of constant pain with a prognosis of incurability!
In my healthy state, I believe I would pray God's mercy, but I could not judge someone who has been there.

[ChrisluvsJesus]

I am a physician too.
This is a hard topic because most of you have been blessed not to witness the intense, horrible human suffering that we do as MD's. People with severe painful terminal conditions sitting just waiting to die as they suffer. This included my father whose last days were spent at home with Hospice, blue, gasping for air. At that very moment, I UNDERSTOOD the compassion that some physicians are passionate about, to relieve other humans from this kind of suffering. We are kinder to our pets and euthanize them LONG before they even get to this point! HOWEVER, in those last days my father was alive (barely), I also realized it was not MY job to help my Dad to the "other side", even though I knew his death was imminent. God calls us at the PRECISE moment HE wants us, and I believe it is a HUGE sin to assist a suicide, even if in the name of compassion. Maybe God is using that suffering to give people their "last opportunity" to become saved, and those who assist their suicide may actually deprive those souls of the opportunity to become saved. This belief didn't make watching my Dad's (or any patient's) death any easier of course, but I know in my heart, I did the right thing by allowing them to pass in God's time, not mine.

[swu_rules]

I am sorry that I have no Scripture to add, but I would like to say that God said Thou Shall Not Commit Murder. THAT IS MURDER! we are not like dogs to be put to sleep. We are not the Author of Life and under NO circumstances should a doctor take a person's life. that is called mercy killing and it is wrong!

[LowPost42]

"Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends." - Gandalf, LOTR

That pretty much sums up my position.

Like EMT's, I think we should do all we can to preserve life. The Lord will end you when your time has come - let man do all he can to help you survive until then.

[mamawidow]

I must say, although I chose other, I disagree with helping someone die. I however, fully agree that sometimes it is ok for a doctor and patient to choose to do nothing more (stop all care except pain control) and let GOD decide the outcome.