The Lessons of Suffering: Terri Schiavo and Holy Week

Breakpoint with Charles Colson ^ | March 28, 2005 | Mark Earley

[Mr. Silverback]

Note: This commentary was delivered by Prison Fellowship President Mark Earley.

It was a strange coincidence that Terri Schiavo’s ordeal took place during Holy Week. What she went through, and the nation’s reaction to it, taught us a sobering lesson about suffering and redemption.

The things that ordinary, sensible Americans were saying about Terri’s case were shocking and upsetting. “Let the poor woman die” was one of them. But Terri was not dying before her food and water were taken away. She simply needed to eat and drink, just like the rest of us.

Then there were the various media polls that asked the public whether Terri should be taken off life support. The only problem was that Terri wasn’t on life support.

The facts were all out there, in plain view. Terri’s family, her nurses, her family’s lawyers, and many others tried to explain them. And yet the public just wasn’t willing to listen. Some people even showed a streak of viciousness toward this sick woman, arguing that she should just die and get it over with. Look at the flak that Tom DeLay took for fighting for Terri’s life in the House of Representatives—so much flak that I’m about ready to nominate him for a Profile in Courage Award.

It’s very much like the time when, just a few years ago, I, as attorney general of Virginia, helped fight for the life of Hugh Finn, another brain-damaged patient. Like Terri, Hugh Finn had his feeding tube removed, despite our best efforts to save him. And former Governor Gilmore and I still receive criticism for trying to save him.

As Peggy Noonan has written, “Why do those who argue for Mrs. Schiavo’s death employ language and imagery that is so violent and aggressive? . . . Why are they so committed to this woman’s death?”

Indeed, why do we become so easily confused on matters of life and death? I think one of the biggest reasons is our fear of suffering. Strangely, our society—a society with fewer illnesses and a longer lifespan than any previous generation—has an almost morbid dread of any kind of suffering. Many of us are willing to accept any laws, any court rulings, just or unjust—as long as we believe that one day those laws might keep us from having to suffer. When a pollster asks most average citizens if Terri Schiavo should continue to live on life support, those people picture themselves stuck in a bed one day, no longer enjoying life the way they used to, wanting to die but not being able to. It’s for their own sakes that so many people say Terri should die.

But this view of death misses the big picture. It places no inherent value on life; instead, it embraces the culture of death. Choosing death over suffering misses the point: that suffering can be redemptive, like Christ’s suffering during Holy Week. Suffering can teach us something, if we’re only willing to listen: that life is precious, and that the weakest person has value and is worthy of life. If we refuse to learn that lesson—if we continue to believe the lies of the culture of death—then ironically, in the end, we’ll only bring more suffering upon ourselves and everyone else.

[Mr. Silverback]

As Peggy Noonan has written, “Why do those who argue for Mrs. Schiavo’s death employ language and imagery that is so violent and aggressive? . . . Why are they so committed to this woman’s death?”

The answer is in the book or Proverbs, where it is said that those who hate wisdom love death.

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[Mr. Silverback]

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[secret garden]

Nice post.

[redrock]

"But Terri was not dying before her food and water were taken away. She simply needed to eat and drink, just like the rest of us. "

More truth in that one statement......

Excellent article.

redrock

[Diogenesis]

Terri: "Do you expect me to talk?"

Florida Judgenfuhrers: " No. We expect you to die."

Official flag of Pinella county, Florida - The State of Judicial Torture by Starvation

[Mr. Silverback]

ProLife Ping!

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[Cicero]

I find that I have two answers to these people.

The first is based on what I believe: Life is sacred. You have no right to kill yourself or another because you are fearful. Suicide and murder are just plain wrong.

The second is a fallback position. If you insist on committing suicide because you fear pain, that's your business. But do it yourself. Don't expect a doctor, a nurse, or a judge to do it for you. Don't wreck our society and our medical system because you fear pain and want to take the easy way out. Don't kill innocent people for selfish reasons.

[Lion in Winter]

Please, please add me to your ping list. THANKS.. LION

[TAdams8591]

"if we continue to believe the lies of the culture of death—then ironically, in the end, we’ll only bring more suffering upon ourselves and everyone else."

How very TRUE!!!!

[TAdams8591]

Exactly. Asking other's in the medical profession to kill you, corrupts them and the profession.

[AlbionGirl]

Strangely, our society—a society with fewer illnesses and a longer lifespan than any previous generation—has an almost morbid dread of any kind of suffering.

That's because, relatively speaking we have not suffered as previous generations have. Collectively, we are nowhere near the caliber of people the Pioneers were. I would love to find some lit from that period that provides information on how situations similar to Terri's were handled.

[bjs1779]

Busy little beavers, aren't they?

[Mr. Silverback]

You're added!

[Lion in Winter]

This article is such a clear view of what has been happening of late in regard to Terri. It also tells us WHY so many people are willing to see Terri die... she is an inconvenient reminder of suffering.

Thanks for posting this.

[maine-iac7]

Have you all seen this incredible tape of Terri opening her eyes for the dr. - he keeps saying "open you eyes{ - so she finally arches her eyebrows high and her eyes wide as if to say: "Hey, how about THIS!"
It will make you laugh and then cry - SHE IS THERE - she needs therapy...THIS IS A MUST - must get it our everyone. I've sent it to all the FOX addresses, Rush, Hannity ets - but they have to get slammed with this to pay attention, so it doesn't get lost.

http://web.Tampabay.rr.com/ccb/videos/Terri_Big_Eyes.rm

[mjtobias]

Terri Schiavo Before dehydration

God Bless you Terri in your hour of death

Let everyone who said your beautiful smile was fake be haunted by it for the rest of their days.

[Zechariah_8_13]

Strangely, our society—a society with fewer illnesses and a longer lifespan than any previous generation—has an almost morbid dread of any kind of suffering.

I think this is accurate. I find it so ridiculous when the kill Terri crowd ask, "Why are you so afraid of death?"

As a Christian, I'm not afraid of death. But here's the difference between me and them: I am not afraid of suffering. Whether I suffer in a damaged body, or I suffer at a loved one's bedside, I am willing to accept God's will for my life. I can fully trust Him.

Life is full of suffering - it's unavoidable. That's the reality. But God is always good, and I grow in intimacy with Him through the trials I face. His strength is perfected in my weakness.

So what kind of person prefers murder to continued suffering? The person who judges the value of life by its successes and pleasures and ease. The person who has no relationship with the living, loving God. The person without hope.

[the invisib1e hand]

In Honor of Terri Schiavo.

Please let load -- it's 11 mb.

Have headphones or sound on.