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Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

Title:	Discussions from a Christian Perspective
Notice:	Prostitutes and tax collectors welcome!
Moderator:	CSC32::J_CHRISTIE

Created:	Mon Sep 17 1990
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	1362
Total number of notes:	61362

340.0. "Euthanasia/Mercy Killing" by CSC32::J_CHRISTIE (Passionate Peace) Mon Nov 11 1991 18:59

    Euthanasia....mercy killing....choosing the circumstances when
    death is immanent and agonizing.
    
    Some will say this is a sin; that inflicting death is "playing God." 
    Ironically, many of these same people favor "playing God" within the
    context of armed combat against a national enemy and state-sanctioned
    executions.
    
    Some would tell you that you cannot choose the manner of your own
    death.  Some say that suffering is ennobling and character building.
    
    What is your Christian perspective?

Peace,
Richard

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
340.1	Is it Mercy or Convienence?	CSC32::LECOMPTE	MARANATHA!	`Tue Nov 12 1991 05:11`	21
	Richard, You really know how to stir it up don't you. 0!0 \_/ This is a good topic, not an easy one to discuss. I don't know 'from a christian perspective' that someone can 'biblically' justify euthanasia. Where is the line drawn between mercy-killing and convienence- killing??? It would be so easy for someone to say we are making this decision for the good of the person that is suffering when what they really mean to say is we can't handle the financial/emotional/spiritual burden. -ed_
340.2	fine-lines all over the place	LGP30::FLEISCHER	without vision the people perish (381-0899 ZKO3-2/T63)	`Tue Nov 12 1991 07:37`	19
	re Note 340.1 by CSC32::LECOMPTE: > Where is the line drawn between mercy-killing and convienence- > killing??? The issue of fine, even arbitrary distinctions between one proposed set of actions and another that is generally considered wrong comes up time and time again in discussing many moral issues. A more general question: does the fact that a proposal has a fine line between it and acknowledged evil automatically disqualify the proposal or even weigh the case against it? I think we are right to be fearful of "slippery slopes", but does that mean we are always right to play it safe and avoid them entirely? Perhaps there are situations that DEMAND us to make fine distinctions (this may cut both ways: those with a so-called "liberal" position on capital punishment argue in part with a fine-line argument). Bob
340.3		CSC32::J_CHRISTIE	Ps. 85.10	`Fri Sep 15 1995 16:24`	11
	271.381 > No, I just happen to be a staunch believer in that particular oath. > And I scorn people who betray that oath...be it doctors, ministers, > politicians, whatever. How does one betray the Hippocratic oath if one never takes it? To my knowledge the oath is not required of clergy, politicians, or whatever. Richard
340.4		MKOTS3::JMARTIN	I press on toward the goal	`Fri Sep 15 1995 16:35`	5
	Hippocratic Oath applies to medical...this was what I thought. Politicians are in fact sworn into office and clergy are usually commissioned into their ministry. Most people do take an oath. -Jack
340.5		CSC32::J_CHRISTIE	Ps. 85.10	`Fri Sep 15 1995 20:01`	8
	Yes, but...Your reasoning seemed to pivot on...Oh, never mind. I don't feel like pursuing it. (Incidentally, I do not swear; in accordance with the teachings of Yeshua of Nazareth.) Richard
340.6		MKOTS3::JMARTIN	I press on toward the goal	`Mon Sep 18 1995 09:28`	4
	My understanding was that you can make an oath. Jesus teaching was that you keep it. Marriage is an oath, etc. -Jack
340.7		CSC32::J_CHRISTIE	Ps. 85.10	`Mon Sep 18 1995 14:53`	4
	Marriage is a covenant, but that's another topic. Richard