By: Ryan Corrigan
Euthanasia or misery. This seems to be the big topic that keeps coming up. Californian voters had already turned down the proposal for euthanasia, but states like Oregon and countries like Holland supports it. Euthanasia is deliberately taking of life with the victim's consent, in order to put an end to what is believed to be unnecessary and extreme suffering. It is a complex and very confusing issue. And still our fellow men and woman are still asking themselves, "Is euthanasia right?" Should we let someone take his own life because they happen to be going through depression? The answer is no.
Euthanasia is an act of cruelty, an act simply defies God. In the Bible John 14:5, it says "Since his days are determined, the number of his months is with you; You appointed his limits, so that he cannot pass." A direct quote of words that is simply saying God has a plan knowing when you will die, he determines how many months you live or are within you. However, people are asking the question: "what if the person who wants their life to end is in a state of being crippled, or has been injured so bad that he or she is hooked up to a life support machine?" Is it right for that person's life to be taken?
As it says in the Bible, "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am forever more. Amen. And I have the keys of... Death." Revelation 1:18. Again the Bible is saying that God is the merciful One. It is not up to you or me to take some one's life. It is He who knows when you will die and will take mercy on you when it is time. It is not up to the individual whatsoever.
It would be against the law if you and I would jump off a building. But it would be okay for us to kill ourselves a different way such as using euthanasia to do it? Do you feel this is right? I mean, how would you feel if a loved one wanted to kill himself, and then all of the sudden it was legal, and he could do it? And if they did, they used euthanasia to have their life taken. Would that make you feel that you helped him, or would that make you feel like you helped kill him by supporting his death? As in the Bible says: "THOU SHALT NOT KILL," Exodus 20:13. That's exactly what euthanasia is: murder.
Member Brian Stiller of the Associated Gospel Churches says: "A deep respect for sanctity of life should cause us to consider how we can help others live with dignity and affirm the importance of their lives, rather than assist in hastening their deaths." http://www.octonet.com/~davis/agceuth.htm (17 Mar. 1997). It is up to you. Do you feel that assisted suicide in the world should be right and should be seen through the eyes of fellow man to be duplicated and practiced? Or do you feel that we should think about our situation in life a little harder and try to see it through the eyes of God, and try to find that one reason why we should stay on this Earth? If we know someone with a problem of wanting to kill themselves, should we assist him in his wanting to die or should we, as Brian Stiller puts it "try to uplift that person and give them a reason to live." The choice is up to you.