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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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The argument is that voluntary
euthanasia is a slippery slope that
should be avoided.
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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.
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