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Euthanasia: The Controversial Topic of Assisted Dying

Euthanasia: The Controversial Topic of Assisted Dying

Last updated on: October 3, 2024 at 1:50 pm by Dennis McIntyre

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Euthanasia: The Controversial Topic of Assisted Dying 2024-10-03T13:50:11-04:00 Dennis McIntyre

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The “Suicide Pod” murders its first victim. Image courtesy of www.latintimes.com

Euthanasia has been automated to the point where you don’t need anyone to assist you in dying. An inventor in Switzerland has developed a “suicide pod” that allows you to kill yourself. This is a big step for making the case that people are “disposable.” I realize this can be a controversial subject, and the victim was in pain, but God uses all situations to help others. Euthanasia robs all of this opportunity. Let’s take a look.

What Does the Bible Teach Us?

While the bible doesn’t teach about euthanasia directly, it does teach us the value God puts on all life. The best description I have seen is from JW.org:

“The Bible identifies God as our Creator, “the source of life.” (Psalm 36:10; Acts 17:28) In God’s eyes, life is very precious. For this reason, God condemns both taking the life of another and taking one’s own life. (Exodus 20:13; 1 John 3:15) Additionally, the Bible indicates that we should take reasonable precautions to protect our own life and the lives of others. (Deuteronomy 22:8) Clearly, God wants us to value the gift of life.“

I have stated before and will do so again: “You’re either Pro-Life in all situations or you’re not.” This is not a Chinese menu – you cannot select from columns A or B. This is strictly a binary decision. …..

But I have a right to take my own life …..

No, you don’t. Catholics believe that God gives us life, and only God can take it away.

(Deuteronomy 32:39) – See now that I, I alone, am he, and there is no god besides me. It is I who bring both death and life, I who inflict wounds and heal them, and from my hand, no one can deliver.

Today’s society focuses on avoiding pain and suffering. No one wants to be in pain or to suffer, but through pain and suffering, we grow closer to God and grow in our relationships with others. Pain and suffering are everywhere, and working through these situations helps us to appreciate the gifts we have been given and helps us to guide others through similar situations. Some of the situations people live through are horrific, but God will find good in all situations, even a painful death.

What good can come from pain and suffering?

The resurrection is a good place to start. God sacrificed His son so that we had a path back to God for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus was scourged, beaten, humiliated, and crucified for all of us. Now, true disciples of Jesus enjoy a level of peace that man cannot provide, only God.

There are man-made and natural disasters. Where does God find good in these situations? The situation in the southeast of the United States is a good example. Hurricane Helene caused devastation and death in many areas of the Southeast U.S. Look at the people responding to this tragedy and those funding and bringing aid to the many impacted. The love that people have in their hearts comes out in response to the needs of others.

There is loss in personal circumstances. My biggest fear was a family member would have a terminal disease, and there was nothing that could be done. That situation occurred in 2005, and the next 2+ years were very difficult and painful for my family member and everyone around her. Yet, it was during this time we all came together, differences were healed, we all had a chance to say to each other how we felt about each other, and when it was time we were all together to let the family member go in peace to God. Yes it was the hardest thing we have lived through, but we would not trade that experience for anything.

The Dangers of “Automated Suicide”

People who commit suicide are in a very bad state of mind, no matter the circumstances. The risk here is that people who are temporarily in a bad state of mind end up making a permanent decision about death. The cases of suicide among children, soldiers, the elderly, etc., could potentially grow drastically with a device like the pod available to people. I realize that there is a process surrounding the decision, but processes can and are circumvented and emotions can drive a very bad decision for the individual and their families.

What are your thoughts? Do you agree or disagree? Have you had an experience that you would like to share? Comments are encouraged and welcome.

God Bless

General Christian

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About Dennis McIntyre

In my early years, I was a member of the Methodist church where I was baptized as a child and eventually became a lector for the church. I always felt I was very faith-filled, but something was missing. My wife is Catholic and my children were baptized as Catholic and this helped me to find what I was looking for to be part of something so much bigger than myself walking together with Jesus. I was welcomed into the Catholic faith and received the sacraments as a full member of the Catholic Church in 2004. I am a Spiritual Director, and very active in ministry serving as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister in addition to providing spiritual direction. I have spent time working with the sick and the terminally ill in local hospitals and Hospice Care centers and found these ministries to be very difficult, but extremely rewarding. You can read more about the author here.

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