Suicide is — anything but — Painless

[Mario]

Last night I watched this Frontline episode called "Suicide Tourist"

(available online at http://www.weta.org/video/pbs — click on the Frontline link and then search for "Suicide Tourist.")

In this post, I simply like to address one argument presented by the "Suicide Tourist" that I disagreed with — and I will paraphrase it:

He said that some accused him of "playing God" and he pointed out to all the technology and efforts involved in keeping him alive and asked if that wasn't tantamount to playing God as well. In other words, without all this technology, he was surely doomed to die a lot sooner. So what would be the difference between cheating death by employing technology and medical care and just ending his life — on his own terms — sooner than later, and with dignity?

Again, the above was my version of what I thought I understood.

Putting aside the ten commandments ("Thou shall not kill" — which arguably also applies to one person killing oneself) medical doctors took an oath to preserve life. And at the risk of sounding heartless (Lord knows I don't know what I would do if I am ever in his shoes... ) I would have said the following to him:

The job of a medical doctor is to make sure a person remains alive with whatever means possible, and whenever possible, ease the pain and improve quality of life... up until that person's last breath.

But, really, who cares... because all this would have resulted in a circular, non-ending argument.

Plus (arguably) his wasn't much of a life... unless, of course, we consider the fact that everyone around him seemed to be involved, caring, loving — basically, that his affliction potentially helped change all those around him for the better (which then should make us wonder about the value of every moment we have at our disposal to make a change for the better...)

Be that as it may, and knowing what I know, and having seen what I have seen, I would like to urge anyone reading my words and who happen to be contemplating suicide to not buy into these arguments.

Or, at the very least, not to kid themselves into believing they are better off killing themselves.

Here is my basic argument: What if — the BIG "IF" — we're here by design, by will, and for a reason? Just ponder the potential harm you are doing to yourself by (basically) cheating and checking out earlier than you were supposed to.

If only I could make you believe that everything happening is the result of things that have taken place in this and other dimensions and life cycles...

If only...

For that would be the only way for you (whoever you may be) to realize that by cheating and supposedly removing yourself — thinking that you would be better off — would result in your having (possibly) to come back, and go through it all over again (and perhaps suffer even more).

Listen, if you're sure that in the next 10 seconds (let's say) you are about to die because the building you're on top of is about to collapse in ball of fire, I can understand your choosing to jump than to die in the flames.

I might even do that myself... I don't know.

But for people to kill themselves over ... money (like that man who flew his Piper airplane into the IRS building — and I consider him a TERRORIST) ... over love... over... things that are intangible (not to infer that doing so over tangible this is fine!)... that is dead wrong and obscene.

So, please, if (whoever you are) are considering suicide, stop and think about all that which you don't know, which you could be wrong about, and what it all potentially means for you in the next lifetime, because like it or not, there IS an afterlife. In fact, death is just a transition.

Too bad it's usually painful when we are living in this realm we call Earth.

But, here, check out how vast the Universe is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfzdGZt8lhk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er7tKurvBW0&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlZSRd8fYCc&NR=1&feature=fvwp

And guess what, "all that" is whatever we can see. In other words: there are other dimensions we can's see... And now, ask yourself if all this could be the result of an accident.

Look, kick religion all you want — I'll join you even. But don't blame GOD for the actions of Man.

[Loup Solitaire]

Couldn't agree more!

I agree strongly. I am well past two thirds of my life. All the testosterone is just about gone, youth and all the fun things are gone, I am far too aware of what I can't do any longer than I would like to be, but what has become evident to me, more evident than it has ever been before, is the importance of what I bring to life. Not what life brings to me. There are many people that care that I am here. I get great pleasure out of that and I strive more than ever to make certain that each day I bring as much to life for the benefit of others as I can.

The only way I would wish my end is if I found that I was a great burden to others. For that to be the case, I would need to be an invalid, heavily dependent upon the services of others. And part of the problem with this is the financial issues involved with a terminal illness. If this were the case, I would pray, not necessarily for my end, but only that I would not be a burden to others. Then I would hope that God would be merciful, not only to me, but to those around me.

One of the greatest issues for people with a terminal illness is depression and it can be more crippling that a physical illness. Depression is something I am well acquainted with. But God has been merciful and given me the strength and the wisdom to realize when it is approaching. I have been lead to dietary supplements, foods and knowledge that worked for me. I believe that prayer and meditation has been critical. Never should anyone be afraid to plead with God for mercy. He is most merciful.

If the depression can be managed, it is much easier to be strong and defiant of death. It is much easier to focus on what one can bring to life, to make life worth living. Getting old is not for sissies. Getting sick can build character, if not for this life, then the next. Suffering makes us all stronger

It is natural for young people to live for themselves, but it is necessary for old and sick people to live to serve God. If they are unable to do that, then they suffer greatly. And the temptation to end their own life will be great.
And of course it is beneficial for the young and healthy to serve God, but God is merciful.

I don't know if others can see my point of view. But at my stage in life, it serves me well. If you disagree, please make some constructive comments.