The Right to Die

The Right to Die

When most people think of euthanasia they simply think death. The word "euthanasia" comes from a Greek word "thanatos", meaning death and the prefix "eu" meaning well or easily. It can be defined as a gentle or easy death. Webster Dictionary defines it as painless or mercy killing of a person who has a painful, incurable disease or incapacitating disorder. As a religious person I disagree with euthanasia, I believe that there is always hope that the person will get better or at least that God will decide for us. Suicide is not an answer for me. Now tell me, what would you do if your loved one was lying in a hospital bed, suffering from an incurable illness and there was nothing that could be done for them. The medication is beginning to wear off and the pain is unbearable.

Religion is a great part of my life, growing up many values that I have learned are based on religion. Some of those values have faded away, but many help me make everyday decisions. Christian's arguments are usually based on the beliefs that life is given by God and it is important not to interfere with the natural process of death. Catholics believe that our life is a sacred gift from God, and only God can give it. It is therefore Gods right alone to take us out of this world. Jews also believe even though we feel out lives are ours they are not. They also believe saving oneself from pain is not a reason to kill that person, but they do allow asking God in prayer to remove a person from pain and suffering. Muslims holy book Qur'an says "when their time comes they cannot delay it for a single hour nor can they bring it forward by a single hour". Research on euthanasia made me realize that world's four major religions are against euthanasia.

I know that there are many arguments that will be a lot more science based, that will agree with euthanasia. Also there are many religions in the world today, I just looked into the four major ones and other religious beliefs might be completely different from what I have found. People that are suffering and family members of those suffering could be begging for a way out. From my point of view they do, but only to beg God, and not to take control in their own hands. I think that people wouldn't start an argument without a strong point of view and probably a lot of them would be very persuasive.