Oral arguments are scheduled to begin today in the case of Gonzales v. The State of Oregon. Oregon has a so-called "right to die" law on its books allowing physicians to prescribe lethal doses of medication to patients they deem to be terminally ill. Although proponents of the law cite impending death as the reason for these "assisted suicides", Not Dead Yet states that:
the reasons doctors actually report for issuing lethal prescriptions are the patient's "loss of autonomy" (87 percent), "loss of dignity" (80 percent), and "feelings of being a burden" (36 percent).
The disability community is concerned that this will lead to a societal acceptance of legalized murder of those who need special care. From a Christian standpoint, it is reprehensible to believe that someone feeling they are a burden to others should be killed by those who are called to help them.
One of my main concerns related to this issue is one of mental health. While mental health professionals work tirelessly to discover new medications and therapy techniques to alleviate the suffering of those with mental illness, and raise their quality of life, these terminally ill patients are being told that their suicidal feelings are normal and that the government and their physicians will actually aid them in their goal of death!
This trend, if it is allowed to continue, will impact everyone. We all age. We will all die. Many of us will become a "burden" on our families and on society, or will care for someone who is ill. A great many of us suffer, or know someone who suffers from any of a variety of mental illnesses or disabilities.
This is not a "right" to die issue. It is a right to live issue!
For this I will certainly do some kind of prayer, it's a huge deal and most of the time I can barely believe the decisions made in courts! I didnt know about this case, I must be behind on the news :)
ReplyDeleteThis is the kind of thing that could squeak by without even a blip on the radar screen, but could impact everyone eventually! The potential to have societal and medical pressure to end someone's life once a law allowing this gets on the books, will be tremendous.
ReplyDeleteCarmel, I like your new pic!
On my Rosary blog I recently just started to get others to join me in praying a special Rosary just for the pro-life agenda including the Supreme Court and other pro-life issues.
ReplyDeleteGood idea! I'll try to remember to offer up my Rosaries for that intention.
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