Monday, August 23, 2010
Euthanasia: is it right or wrong?
Euthanasia derives from a Greek word meaning “good death”. It refers to the practice of ending one’s life in a manner which relieves pain and suffering.
To end pain and suffering sounds pleasant, hence we tell our minds that euthanasia is the best way out. Most of us will all feel a mutual agreement when I say that I would rather die than be permanently bound to a hospital bed, living the life of a vegetable. The idea of dying for most people is a scary concept although the idea of helplessly suffering is much more terrifying, however, euthanasia is an act of an immoral escape from a life that no human has the right to intentionally end.
The grass is greener on the other side. This statement is the principal motive behind euthanasia. The grass looks greener, because people think that what they want is better than what they have and in many cases they are very wrong. The principle of happiness is appreciating what you already have. When I was a child, the only thing that I wanted for Christmas was a radio. After two years of wanting this, I finally got one for my birthday. Twelve months later, I wanted a cassette player. I saved up al l my pocket money for six months and brought one. Soon I wanted a CD player, then a portable CD player, then an mp3 player, an IPod then an Iphone. No matter what I had, there was always something better and I was never satisfied with what I had. The truth is though, the way to get to the greener grass is to appreciate and be thankful for what you have. If you are deprived of good health, then appreciate your friends and family. By following this path, you will get to the green grass when the time is meant for you, not when you want it.
Legalising the deliberate killing of humans would in effect demoralize the very foundations of our laws and public morality. Furthermore, the use of euthanasia could evolve to become more and more unrestricted. Who’s to say that in twenty years the laws won’t be relaxed to an extent that any one, no matter the severity of their physical illness, could ask to be euthanized? Is it possible that euthanasia could be forced upon victims that cannot speak for themselves?
Similar things have happened with the issue of abortion. Once it was used only in times when the life of the mother was at risk, (which in itself is wrong) however, now abortion can be had on demand even if the baby is healthy and fully developed. According to the professionals, abortion is not forced upon anyone however any logical person will know perfectly well that the child has no choice in the matter. This is without a doubt force. Professionals also say euthanasia will not be forced however, it is not an issue of force; it is an issue of the potential of the rules becoming more and more accepting once the door is opened. You do not need to be opposed to abortion or euthanasia to appreciate how the laws have changed.
We live in a world with double standards. Abortion is legal and becoming more and more socially acceptable however, if an unborn child inside the womb of a woman that is driving to an abortion clinic was killed in a car accident with a drunken driver, the driver is considered a murderer and faces serious consequences despite the fact that the baby was due to be “legally murdered” just hours after the accident.
The Ten Commandments are not just ten good rules; they are a written covenant that guides today’s moral values. The Fifth Commandment states – “thou shall not kill”. It has been made entirely clear that no human on Earth has the right to decide when any other human is to die. By allowing euthanasia, people are trying to take up the role of God.
Genesis 9:6 states: "Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God has He made man." This is just one of many examples in the scriptures that concisely inform us of the way in which God intends humans to live. God’s love is greater than all suffering, and that by dying of a cross, Jesus has been through death for our sake. He did not take the easy way out.
Some may argue that euthanasia is a merciful act of grace and compassion. Those in agreement use these words to make the overall concept sound like an extremely remarkable act of kindness however by doing this, they miss the point. Euthanasia is killing. No human being on Earth has the right to do this. It should be the goal of every decent person to live a good life that leaves the next generation, in some way better off than the last. How can we achieve this when we jam ideas into the heads of our children that it is ok to take your grandmother to a hospital to be put down just as you would with a sick dog? Don’t go away from this thought with a neutral opinion. You must decide where you stand.
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