Beliefs about euthanasia

[Altair]

Originally Posted by boyce

I would never criticise or judge anyone who ended their own life because I do not stand in their shoes.

Exactly!

Originally Posted by boyce

The suffering of some individuals appears intolerable and nowadays modern medicine keeps alive those who at one time would have succumbed naturally to medical problems. They would have passed over in the natural way when their bodies failed.

And what is 'natural' anyway? Why would human interference and ingenuity and knowledge to postpone death be 'unnatural'? That is part of being human.

Everything we do is natural. And ''natural'' says nothing about whether something is 'good' or not (?).

[CosmicWonder]

So beautiful how soft and kind this thread is..

[Molearner]

Originally Posted by boyce

I would never criticise or judge anyone who ended their own life because I do not stand in their shoes.

Basically, yes…..I will say that euthanasia seems the more honorable way to voluntarily end one’s life. To end this way presupposes that one’s rationale has been shared with others specifically meaning friends and doctors….those in position to offer genuine advice and counsel. They are allowed to have knowledge of your rationale. This is opposed to suicide by cops, drugs, automobile accidents that could endanger others. If suicidal intentions are never announced or shared it is an imposition of guilt on many people…..that can elevate that act into the category of harming others…..

[Molearner]

Originally Posted by whispershadow

i'm confused

Whisper shadow,

By the way, a mitigating factor in the euthanasia of a pet IMO is that it is very likely that there is a strong soul connection with a pet. No animosity, no harbored resentment, simply trust and mutual love. This reality implies permission and understanding.

[boyce]

I don't know if euthanasia compared with suicide should be seen as any more - or less - "honorable". From a spiritual teaching position such a comparison appears a distinction without a difference although I'm not declaring that I personally view it as such.

I do acknowledge for those left behind when an individual ends her/his/their life - for example because of extreme pain and suffering - it is likely to be a less traumatic experience knowing it was done compos mentis along with all the help and support that could be provided.

I'm not persuaded, though, that suicide necessarily "elevates the action" into harming others unless it's carried out in a deliberately reckless manner anyone could anticipate to be likely to harm others. Even then it's judgmental to condemn the action when we couldn't know the state of mind of a (possibly) desperate, irrational individual.

We should also remember that it's been reported the effect of certain prescribed drugs can lead an individual unexpectedly to end their life.

[boyce]

By the way, a mitigating factor in the euthanasia of a pet IMO is that it is very likely that there is a strong soul connection with a pet.

That may or may not be the case but if the action was for the benefit of the animal then it was done through love.

[Native spirit]

I would have to agree with that


Namaste

[whispershadow]

basically she had a brain cancers in her brain and the vet said he couldnt operate to get all the cancers out :(

it was in her tummy and lungs as well

[BigJohn]

I had a dog that got cancer. Consequentially, we went and spent a fair amount of money to have it removed. Several years later it came back. We let her have a natural death. She was such a delight to have around.

I had another dog I put to sleep. Just after the vet gave him his shot, I didn't want to go thru it. Too late.

[Miss Hepburn]

Since a DNR was brought up - ''Do not Resuscitate"...
This was a surprise for us all....
If EMTs are called and you are placed in an ambulance they DO resuscitate you anyway ...or try to,
over and over and over and over!
(After all, they were called and that's their job.)

If someone is really serious about this, my thought is consider a bracelet,
one of those Medical bracelets - I believe all EMTs do look for those.