To suffer or die? That is the question!

[righteousdude2]

I am not sure if this subject has ever been discussed on the forum, but even if it had, I'd still like to approach it and hear your responses, especially from both a Biblical and ethical or moral view.

Let's say you were dying of cancer, or been diagnosed with alzheimers. You know there is no cure. And you know that each day brings more pain and emotional angst. If you were given the choice to humanely end the suffering and the unknown to get to heaven on your time plan and not fate, would you elect to end your life in order to end further pain, indignity and emotional duress?

Furthermore, if you could end in accordance to your plans and not those of life where the body slowly dies as it fights to remain alive, something innate to the human body, would you think God would see that as a sin?

I do appreciate your views on this often emotionally charged subject ..... shalom!

 

[Rolfe]

I sincerely hope that this is hypothetical question and not an indirect request for advice.

 

[InTheLight]

Let's say you were dying of cancer, or been diagnosed with alzheimers. You know there is no cure. And you know that each day brings more pain and emotional angst. If you were given the choice to humanely end the suffering and the unknown to get to heaven on your time plan and not fate, would you elect to end your life in order to end further pain, indignity and emotional duress?

I have a huge problem with this phrase, "get to Heaven on your time plan and not fate".
----
And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,
Hebrews 9:27 NKJV



Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[Zaac]

This is just a particularly odd thread.Even odder is the phrasing seemingly designed to make this appear to be something more than plain ole suicide or assisted suicide.

I don't like this. Seems to be another one of those threads designed to get folks' okay to do something.

 

[agedman]

"It is APPOINTED..." That one may desire death does not make the "appointment" changed. Remember the King that was so sick, yet desired to live? God granted the request. The appointment is in God's hand.

That understood, then the question of humane death such as one who is terminally ill choosing a less painful death.

I am reminded of the martyrs who faced death and as Paul states some "gave their bodies to be burned..."

Death is merely a transition to eternity. How one opens the door and exits this room of existence is of little importance. It does not modify the appointment nor the time scheduled by God for that appointment.

 

[InTheLight]

Death is merely a transition to eternity. How one opens the door and exits this room of existence is of little importance. It does not modify the appointment nor the time scheduled by God for that appointment.

There is no mention of God in the OP. Instead there is "fate". That's my problem with it.

 

[righteousdude2]

I sincerely hope that this is hypothetical question and not an indirect request for advice.

Totally indirect ... thanks for asking. I was reading about a Christian who decided to forgo chemo and any other treatment for a treatable cancer. Thus she ended her life much sooner than she would have had she undergone treatment. I viewed this as a form of suicide. I wondered if others would see this as suicide? BTW- she did end her life with a lethal dose of pain medicine, a few days after the diagnosis. Her husband said she wished to forgo the suffering of treatment and the anxiety of the unknown.

This seems to be a growing solution for many facing death. Look at Robin Williams. He decided to end his life before the alzheimers took over.

So what is your opinion on a believer choosing to end their life on their terms not life's terms, or as I said fate.

 

[righteousdude2]

There is no mention of God in the OP. Instead there is "fate". That's my problem with it.

Your response is why I ignore you. The definition of fate does not exclude events within His will and time. Secondly God is mentioned, as is the bible. Some people do things in life on "their terms" and not God's. But this is a one time event and it could have eternal consequences. Or could it? That is what I am asking.

Personally, I am against doing anything on or time frame or terms as opposed to trusting Him.

Again thanks for your well thought out concerns. Shalom! BTW- you will remain on ignore. LOL Roflmao

 

[Zaac]

Your response is why I ignore you. The definition of fate does not exclude events within His will and time. Secondly God is mentioned, as is the bible. Some people do things in life on "their terms" and not God's. But this is a one time event and it could have eternal consequences. Or could it? That is what I am asking.

Personally, I am against doing anything on or time frame or terms as opposed to trusting Him.

Again thanks for your well thought out concerns. Shalom! BTW- you will remain on ignore. LOL Roflmao

But you just...Never mind.

 

[HankD]

Here in the People's Republic of Washington we have "death with dignity" (an obvious euphemism for assisted suicide).

I watched an actual TV documentary of someone who "offed" himself by a "cocktail" prepared by a physician (totally against the Hippocratic Oath). Afterwards I wished I had not watched.

To take someone off of "life support"systems however IMO is within one's right as a human being as well as a Christian.

To take too much pain killer such as morphine, well - that's another thing.

My sister-in-law died of cancer in the State of CA - they allowed morphine at her will but regulated it by machine so she could not overdose.

This is a tough one.

HankD

 

[agedman]

Would a soldier volunteering for a mission in which there was a greater chance of not returning be considered committing suicide for we commonly use the term "suicide mission" when referring to that call to duty?

Is there a statement of Scripture that presents an anti suicide view?

Or is it hold over thinking imposed by a papist thinking?

Are not all humankind "terminal?"

Can one have "sorrow unto death?" (sorrow to be taken as any affliction of body or mind for this thought, only)

 

[HankD]

Would a soldier volunteering for a mission in which there was a greater chance of not returning be considered committing suicide for we commonly use the term "suicide mission" when referring to that call to duty?

This is not suicide agedman, it is for the benefit of others and not fulfilling a desire to end one's own personal suffering. Altogether different.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

HankD

 

[agedman]

This is not suicide agedman, it is for the benefit of others and not fulfilling a desire to end one's own personal suffering. Altogether different.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

HankD

I would agree, but I was using the term "suicide" to indicate the type of mission, and in that meaning the condition of determining the end of one's life. Be it an honorable end such as the benefit of others or something some may consider less honorable as taking one's on life, the point is that life ended and by extension by the terms of that person.

It must be remembered, that personally, I don't think that anyone can die "before their time." For God has appointed that time. The manner may be up to a person, but the appointment is scheduled.

 

[InTheLight]

It must be remembered, that personally, I don't think that anyone can die "before their time." For God has appointed that time. The manner may be up to a person, but the appointment is scheduled.

Would you elaborate? You seem to be saying whenever someone dies, however they die, that was done at the Lord's appointed time.

 

[Zaac]

I would agree, but I was using the term "suicide" to indicate the type of mission, and in that meaning the condition of determining the end of one's life. Be it an honorable end such as the benefit of others or something some may consider less honorable as taking one's on life, the point is that life ended and by extension by the terms of that person.

It must be remembered, that personally, I don't think that anyone can die "before their time." For God has appointed that time. The manner may be up to a person, but the appointment is scheduled.

Absolutely because God will often let us do whatever we choose. He let's us make good and bad decisions. But He knows when this earthly life will cease.

I believe suicide missions are different from plain suicide. One is often selfless. The other is selfish.

 

[agedman]

Would you elaborate? You seem to be saying whenever someone dies, however they die, that was done at the Lord's appointed time.

I am.

In the time of Job, God had to decree to Satan that he was not to slay Job, and then after the Cross the keys of life and death are now in the hand of Christ. Some would take the "keys" to apply to salvation or condemnation, only, but I don't see that because the Scriptures indicate it is not of Christ that determines who is to be saved, but the Father. Life and death are in no one's hand to be exercised at whim or will.

Moving away from the Scriptures, briefly, the history is filled with folks who survived a suicide attempt. So, yes, whenever and however someone dies, it was done at God's appointed time.
How someone dies may be determined by the adversaries of this world. Remember the Scripture that says that the believer should not be afraid of those who can destroy the body and then have no other power, but be most afraid of one who has power over the body and the soul.
Although it is not completely applicable to the subject, it is in that a person needs to be aware that suicide may not bring an end of suffering.

 

[ApollotheBrave]

I think this is where the debate of euthanasia or mercy killing starts-- with yourself. If you had to choose to live and to suffer then what would you choose, right? I think it's about time we stop being hypocrites and admit we all don't like to suffer and choosing to die is a very possible choice. I think there's a kindness in taking away the suffering of others especially if they're begging for it already.

 

[John of Japan]

Your response is why I ignore you. The definition of fate does not exclude events within His will and time. Secondly God is mentioned, as is the bible. Some people do things in life on "their terms" and not God's. But this is a one time event and it could have eternal consequences. Or could it? That is what I am asking.

Personally, I am against doing anything on or time frame or terms as opposed to trusting Him.

Again thanks for your well thought out concerns. Shalom! BTW- you will remain on ignore. LOL Roflmao

Rather than "fate," "providence" is the more usual term among believers.

 

[John of Japan]

I think this is where the debate of euthanasia or mercy killing starts-- with yourself. If you had to choose to live and to suffer then what would you choose, right? I think it's about time we stop being hypocrites and admit we all don't like to suffer and choosing to die is a very possible choice. I think there's a kindness in taking away the suffering of others especially if they're begging for it already.

So you think killing people is okay? I hope I am misunderstanding.

And I find offensive your intimation that standing against euthanasia is hypocrisy.

P. S. I note from your "Information" page that you are Roman Catholic. Perhaps you are postling here ignorantly, but this section of the BB is for Baptists only.

 

[HAMel]

rd2, some folks on here would have a problem with a perfectly round bowling ball.

Many years ago I heard of a rather young woman who was bed ridden. Her bones were very brittle and any move in the wrong direction caused them to break.

Above her head, attached to the ceiling were hundreds of pictures of Christian people around the world that she prayed for on a daily basis. That was the extent of her activity. That, and watching TV. I would hope I never succumb to such a state but my advise would be to hang in there no matter the condition of the body. It will soon be over (naturally) anyway and then comes the eternity in Glory.