rae, moral choices: euthanasia 5

8/4/2019 Rae, Moral Choices: Euthanasia 5

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The case against physician assistedsuicide and euthanasia (PAS/E)

Opponents of PAS/E argue

the diff erence between killing

and allowing to die - we

should not kill and innocentperson. This is the key

distinction for many and ends

the discussion. The other

arguments which follow

simply build on or follow on

from this one.

Wednesday 21 September 2011



Physician assisted suicide andeuthanasia are way of playing God

The taking of innocent life is a

prerogative that belongs solely

to God-

we are not allowed todecide such matters. Modern

medicine doe snot play god in

helping to sustain life, only in

actively taking life. This presupposes you believe in

God.




Suf ering may be redemptive

The Bible suggests that suff ering produces character - this is a major

part of biblically justifying suff ering.Rom 5:3-5, 2 Cor 4:16-17, Jas 1:2-5If applied consistently to medicine itprecludes any treatment that

alleviates suff ering ( pain ). Should westop all such medical treatment?Biblically suff ering for your faith hasredemptive value ( character building )

- Rae suggests suff ering that can beavoided should be, to not do so isfoolishness. At the end of life death isimminent so how can it be

redemptive?Wednesday 21 September 2011



Misdiagnoses are possible

What if a person has been diagnosed- PAS/E leaves no way back.

Rae cites Sidney Hook, an author, who requested all life support beremoved from him - this was refusedand within a month he was out of hospital and 6 months later hadresumed writing.




Euthanasia will probably move from voluntary to non voluntary

Family pressure, mounting bills, loss of money in a will,

all can lead to a family wanting things to end, they are

tired of the patients living - even if the patient does not.

There could be a pressure for elderly, terminally ill to“justify their existence”

The pressure is to do one’s “duty to die and get out of the

way” Richard Lamm, former governor of Colorado.

This could lead to non-terminally ill people such as those

with Alzheimers, loss of brain function etc. Being subject

to euthanasia




The argument is that voluntary

euthanasia is a slippery slope that

should be avoided.




Conclusion

This will become more complex as medical scienceprogresses in its ability to extend life.How do we reconcile using scare and expensive medicaltreatments when it is futile?

All life is valuable to God so moving to support of euthanasia should be resisted.

When reasonable treatment has been exercised it is right tothe patient the right to die as an entry into their eternaldestiny - in the presence of God.


rae, moral choices: euthanasia 5

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