I haven't had a chance to go through and read everyone else's responses, but count me as one who thinks my life is 100% a gift from God. I view my choosing to end that life is my choice to say, "thanks, but no thanks" to God's gift. I'm not going to do that. If it means living my last weeks, months, or even years as a testament to "thy will be done".

My favorite part of all this, is everyone thought this dude was leaving his suicide note on BGP :lol2:

I have seen some important people in my life wither away from such diseases. If that is the quality of life that I would get from fighting, I would probably ask for a morphine drip and say my goodbyes to my earthly friends and hello to my heavenly ones.

My favorite part of all this, is everyone thought this dude was leaving his suicide note on BGP :lol2:

 

First of all, I'm a lady.

 

Second, after it was pointed out to me, I was embarassed. I'd have been horrified to be scrolling through and see the title of the thread I created without the quotations lol.

I absolutely respect her decision and have zero issue with it. I'm assuming nobody on here has been in her position --- unless you are posting from the afterlife --- so I don't think you can judge her or understand her position until faced with it head-on.

On a similar note, I cannot recommend this movie enough:

 

How to Die in Oregon

 

[video=youtube;_F-525sCzhE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F-525sCzhE

It is suicide but I don't blame people in these situations from choosing whatever they choose. None of us know how much pain she is in (physical and/or emotional). If her doctors give her no chance of living very long, her situation will only get worse and she is in a lot of pain, I simply cannot blame her. I look at as she is not choosing to die...that choice was already made for her by her cancer...she is just choosing to die with dignity and not rotting in a bed in a coma until she is unrecognizable to her family...

 

2nd bolded -A former co-worker of mine, and CovCath grad, died of cancer a few years ago. The day before he passed a big group of us went to see him for the 1st time since he stopped coming to work.......this 52 year old man looked like he was 82, UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! It only took less than 6 months for this sad demise, and although I talked with him weekly (he refused to have visitors) he sounded the same, until a month before he passed. It really tears me up to think he didn't get to see his son graduate or see his beloved Blue Colonels win a state hoops title.

 

1st bolded - Even as a practicing Roman Catholic, I have no problem with anyone choosing this option.

Like most say it is hard to say if this is okay or not because we/I have never been in this situation. It is suicide by the way (the action of killing oneself intentionally).

 

But I have to think there have been so many cases of a sick person being given 6 months to live and they live for 5 more years, so why would she end her life early.

 

I think the problem I have with this and suicide in general is that somebody taking their own life is acting as if they have control over life and death, not God. Ultimately, God decides when it is time for our natural death and for someone else to assert their power over God's is not okay. (Disclaimer: I know people who commit suicide often have mental disorders and in special cases it may not be their fault.)

Serious question to those (a long list) that are more devout than I.

 

Is part of God's work giving us the freedom to make such a decision?

Serious question to those (a long list) that are more devout than I.

 

Is part of God's work giving us the freedom to make such a decision?

 

Wonderful question.

Serious question to those (a long list) that are more devout than I.

 

Is part of God's work giving us the freedom to make such a decision?

 

I'm a little confused by what you mean by "part of God's work", but I certainly think that the free will we are given by God enables us to make that decision. We come to terms with the consequences of our decisions on our judgment day, and as for how we are judged, I had a post in another thread regarding suicide where I addressed my thoughts on that:

 

It depends on the situation surrounding the suicide. There are certainly instances of suicide that are completely selfless...a soldier jumping on a live grenade in a the midst of a battle in hopes of saving fellow soldiers. I find it impossible that God could hold that against a person.

 

On the other hand...there are instances of people like Enron executive J. Clifford Baxter, for example, who in sound mind used suicide to escape justice, or to otherwise give up on a situation that he had created for himself. Those situations, I'm not so sure that God is so willing to forgive.

 

Mental illness, on the other hand...depression, schizophrenia, and true psychosis...I have to say that I believe our God is a just God, and that He knows all things. He knows if a person's mental state truly disables them from being able to decipher right from wrong, and if they were in their "right" mental state when they decided to end their own life. In those situations, I will gladly say, "Who am I to judge?"

Serious question to those (a long list) that are more devout than I.

 

Is part of God's work giving us the freedom to make such a decision?

 

I also think this is a good question. This topic is one which can be discussed ad infinitum with none of us really able to give THE definitive answer...only what we choose to believe. I stray from thinking that God micro-manages our affairs which by logic would include our deaths also. I believe he/she has left us an opportunity and bequeathed a framework which is ours to do as we see fit. The freedom to choose one's own death will be full of controversy because with the change in a law will be the pre-described limits to that freedom and the resultant burden of proof.

 

Philosophically, discussions can range from: in a terminal situation is suicide an act of cowardice or courage? The answer is, it depends on what is in the person's heart. Or, is it wrong to accomplish two goals: protect the family from the detrimental affects of a long terminal illness and avoid the pain and suffering? What is wrong with avoiding the pain and suffering as an added bonus?

 

Just some musings....

Given the toll a lingering disease can take on the person and loved ones, both emotionally and financially, I have no issue with her choosing her own timeframe. I don't know if I could do it.

I'm a little confused by what you mean by "part of God's work", but I certainly think that the free will we are given by God enables us to make that decision. We come to terms with the consequences of our decisions on our judgment day, and as for how we are judged, I had a post in another thread regarding suicide where I addressed my thoughts on that:

 

Perhaps the bolded wasn't the best choice of words.

 

We hear numerous examples of parents who "allow" their children to suffer and die because they believe in some kind of predetermination. It's always been my contention that doctors, science and advances in medicine can be viewed as part of God's will. Does this particular case enter into that debate?

 

I can only speak from personal experience. I had serious medical issues a while back. I was getting close to a place where it was almost to the point of, "things aren't getting any better, just give up". Once I was encouraged to get proper medical treatment, I soon realized that the stuff that was going on with me was manageable, and my thinking changed.

 

I've not yet been in a place where there was literally no (or no perceived) hope of getting better and being a burden on everyone around me. Should that happen, I'm one of those "pull the plug" guys.

 

The notion of "God decides everybody's time" is what I struggle with. If a person voluntarily gives up/chooses the suicide route, is that "God's work" as well?

I also think this is a good question. This topic is one which can be discussed ad infinitum with none of us really able to give THE definitive answer...only what we choose to believe. I stray from thinking that God micro-manages our affairs which by logic would include our deaths also. I believe he/she has left us an opportunity and bequeathed a framework which is ours to do as we see fit. The freedom to choose one's own death will be full of controversy because with the change in a law will be the pre-described limits to that freedom and the resultant burden of proof.

 

Philosophically, discussions can range from: in a terminal situation is suicide an act of cowardice or courage? The answer is, it depends on what is in the person's heart. Or, is it wrong to accomplish two goals: protect the family from the detrimental affects of a long terminal illness and avoid the pain and suffering? What is wrong with avoiding the pain and suffering as an added bonus?

 

Just some musings....

 

And profound musings they are, IMHO.