The Right to Die?

~ lotzs

Wikipedia has a page on the right to die, which is the central argument for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada.  The arguments on that page for the right to die are:

  • If one has the right to live, then one must have the right to die, both on their terms.
  • Death is a natural part of life.
  • Our lives are our own, thus we may do with them as we please.
  • If euthanasia is strictly controlled, we can avoid entering a slippery slope and prevent patients from seeking alternative methods which may not be legal.

I disagree with all of those points:

  1. ‘If one has the right to live, then one must have the right to die, both on their terms.’  My response – Rights are actions that people have in order to live.  Rights come from philosophy and the need to ensure people can act in ways that allow them to live.  The enforcement of rights prevent others from stopping people from acting in these ways.  Rights have nothing to do with dying, and to say that someone has a ‘right to die’ turns the whole concept of rights on its head, and causes confusion on what rights actually are. 
  2. ‘Death is a natural part of life.’  My response – Death is not a natural part of life.  It is the end of life on earth.  It is not part of living here, it is the end of living here.  Death is not part of life because life and death do not happen at the same time.  Death starts once life ends.
  3. ‘Our lives are our own, thus we may do with them as we please.’  My response – the implication of this statement is that we can do whatever we want with our lives.  This is wrong.  Firstly, God has made the universe (including the earth) with rules and boundaries.  As such, in order to live successfully, we must live our lives working within its structure and respecting its rules.  Also, if we are to achieve the ultimate goal set for us by God (i.e. live with God in heaven through eternity), we must act in accordance with God’s rules.  One of those rules is that we are not allowed to commit suicide.  We must live the life God has given us.
  4. ‘If euthanasia is strictly controlled, ….’.  My response – this statement is saying that which is legal is moral.  In other words, that the government knows and does best.  Anyone who looks at history, or even looks at what is going on today, knows this is nonsense.

A few other thoughts on this subject:

  1. There are no rights related to dying because no action is required in order to die.  Actions are only required in order to live.  If you don’t believe me, just stop acting to live and see what happens.  Lie down on the floor and don’t do anything for the next 2 weeks (e.g. don’t move, don’t eat, don’t drink, etc).  At the end of that time you will either be dead, or very close to it.  Death is the absence of action/life, and therefore rights don’t apply.
  2. MAiD isn’t about dying, it’s about avoiding further suffering, or as is happening more and more, avoiding suffering before it even starts.  If doctors asked people if they wanted the doctor to remove their suffering and live, or to just be put to death, I think that most people (if not all) would choose to continue living. 
  3. So we are really back to the age-old question:  why do people suffer, and why should they accept the suffering that they go through:
    1. Our life here on earth is to allow us to choose where we want to spend our eternal life, and then to prepare for it.  If suffering can be used for that purpose, then good can come from our suffering. 
    2. People can give their suffering to Jesus who can use it to alleviate His own suffering, and for other good purposes
    3. People can help others through their suffering.  They can show courage, strength, how to accept and manage weakness, etc.  Those around them can benefit from the example of those who choose to accept suffering.
    4. People can become more focused on God when they suffer.  Some people get to the point that they choose to suffer for God’s purposes, and in order to be closer to God.  They choose to live more as Jesus did when He was on earth.
    5. People can become stronger from suffering, better able to manage other challenges in their lives. 
    6. God can use suffering for good. We can see this in the life of Jesus, and His Mother Mary. We can see this in the lives of so many of the saints. We can see this when some people see or experience suffering and change their lives for the better. We can see this when some people create organizations to help others when they have gone through some type of suffering themselves.

In closing I would say that I fear we are headed to the point where as soon as anyone suffers they will be MAiD’d, especially after a certain age.  In other words, they will say, ‘Well you are older than xx years old and your body is starting to wear out, and it isn’t fair that you continue to use up resources that younger people could use, so it is time to MAiD you.’  As such, I would say that given that suffering can be used for good, including in helping us achieve our ultimate goal in life, that we actually have a right to suffer.  And no one may take that away from us. 

Peace be with you.

Steve.