When the "provision"
of food and water requires
tubes forced down the throat
it's reasonable
for that person to decide
they'd rather not live
if their condition
showed no hope of improvement.
(I've talked to seniors
in exactly this
horrible situation.)
From a Christian view,
it is kind of strange
so many people react
as if death itself
were an inherent
evil. Christ often warned us
not to get attached
to this world, warned us
not to love life in this world. (1)
(And we know early
Christians followed Christ
because they had so little
fear of death even
Aurelius (2) was
unable to understand
what lay behind it.)
I don't think any
aspect of this issue is
straightforward to know.
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(1) John 12:24-26
"Most assuredly, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies,
it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
He who loves his life will lose it,
and he who hates his life in this world
will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me,
let him follow Me; and where I am,
there My servant will be also.
If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor."
(2) "What a soul that is which is ready, if at any moment it
must be separated from the body, and ready either to be
extinguished or dispersed or continue to exist; but so
that this readiness comes from a man's own judgement, not
from mere obstinacy, as with the Christians, but
considerately and with dignity and in a way to persuade
another, without tragic show." [Meditations, 11:3]
Really? What's so bad about that? You don't even have to chew. I had my mouth wired shut one time and had to drink and "eat" through a straw for a month. It wasn't that big a deal. It was nice to get back on solid food again though.
John 12:24-26
We are to die SPIRITUALLY to the old man, THEN the NEW man can live. God is not telling us to DIE PHYSICALLY so as to be of some good and be able to be used. Talk about twisting scripture!!! Get behind me.....
If you are using this scripture to justify Mercy killings???? Well......