Is this suicide? Is suicide sin? Is this sin?

[Jermyn Davidson]

This Indiana hunter's life is tragically cut short, but under a very unique set of circumstances. What do you guys think about this situation?

http://news.yahoo.com/injured-indian...181336165.html

[n david]

Such a sad and tragic story.

I don't believe this was suicide or sin. His body was on life support. He was unable to live without the assistance of machines. IMO, this is no different than a person with terminal cancer choosing not to receive any medical treatment.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by n david

Such a sad and tragic story.

I don't believe this was suicide or sin. His body was on life support. He was unable to live without the assistance of machines. IMO, this is no different than a person with terminal cancer choosing not to receive any medical treatment.

You know brother, I thought it was a very sad story too. But isn't it interesting? The situation, the family and doctor's decisions-- I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't read the article.

Still, I don't see MUCH of a difference between this and the services Dr. Kevorkian provided his patients.

For me, the emphasis is on MUCH.

There is one technicality involved-- but is right and wrong determined on technicalities?

I just think the details to this story is very fascinating, when you think about it.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

You know brother, I thought it was a very sad story too. But isn't it interesting? The situation, the doctor's decisions-- I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't read the article.

Still, I don't see MUCH of a difference between this and the services Dr. Kevorkian provided his patients.

For me, the emphasis is on MUCH.

There is one technicality involved-- but is right and wrong determined on technicalities?

I see the difference as this: no one ended this man's life. Unlike where Dr. Kevorkian gives drugs which cause the death to occur, this man simply had a ventilator removed.

This man died naturally.

There was no human intervention or drugs given to expedite an early death. That's the difference, which, IMO, is a big issue.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by n david

I see the difference as this: no one ended this man's life. Unlike where Dr. Kevorkian gives drugs which cause the death to occur, this man simply had a ventilator removed.

This man died naturally.

There was no human intervention or drugs given to expedite an early death. That's the difference, which, IMO, is a big issue.

Not so big of a difference in that the decisions for death are being made by the dying. Definite decisions and actions on the part of the dying that leads to death in both situations.

[Jermyn Davidson]

I am thinking that my opinion that Dr. K. should never have been prosecuted would be the minority around these parts.

[Aquila]

Medical science isn't sacred. Frankly, I think people are living longer than intended as a result of respirators, treatments, and some forms of medication. In a sense, this is playing God... not allowing one to die naturally. Of course, the choice to undergo such procedures and or treatments should be entirely up to the individual.

[Truthseeker]

Refusing medical treatment is not the same as taking drug to kill yourself.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Not so big of a difference in that the decisions for death are being made by the dying. Definite decisions and actions on the part of the dying that leads to death in both situations.

I disagree, because the people dying weren't allowed to die naturally. They were given medication which killed them. This man died a natural death. He wasn't given any medication, nor did any Dr do anything to cause his life to end prematurely.

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

I am thinking that my opinion that Dr. K. should never have been prosecuted would be the minority around these parts.

I would agree that opinion is likely in the minority. A Dr should never knowingly give medication to kill someone, even if the person wants to die.

The Hippocratic Oath they take forbids it:

I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect. Similarly I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy. In purity and holiness I will guard my life and my art.

We see how legalized abortion has created the pathway for legalized euthanasia; and soon may even allow for infanticide.

[Abiding Now]

50 years ago there wouldn't have even been a question, the man would have probably died within a few hours. But doctors and medicine have "advanced" to where they can now "save a person's life". A quality of life so despicable that no one in their right mind would choose it.