Choosing not to cure a terminally ill disease concidered suicide?

[kayoko]

When face with a chronic, painful, death, would choosing not to sustain life as long as possible concidered as suicide according to God? </FONT>

 

[niamhwitch]

which God?

 

[kayoko]

Oh, Hehe, I am silly. Related to Christian beliefs.

 

[Druidus]

Nope. If there was no cure, why?

 

[kayoko]

Nope. If there was no cure, why?

Then if I was faced with end stage cancer and knowing that I will possibily end up on a ventilator in order to stay alive, it will be okay to deny myself of treatment when that time comes?

 

[Melody]

When face with a chronic, painful, death, would choosing not to sustain life as long as possible concidered as suicide according to God? </FONT>

Not any more than Christian Scientists who choose to place their faith in God's will, rather than modern medicine.

 

[The Black Whirlwind]

no, it is for the brave souls who can come to terms with their imminent death, and who choose to accept it, instead of shying away from the inevitable.

 

[ch'ang]

it hink it can go both ways depending on anyone you ask but i say acording to what i know about christians that yes the church would consider it suicide, but they really don't matter god is the one who ultimately gets to decides

 

[Snowbear]

...but i say acording to what i know about christians that yes the church would consider it suicide...

Actually, that depends on the church (do you perhaps mean the Church ~ as in Catholic?)

....god is the one who ultimately gets to decides

That is one lesson I have learned as a paramedic.... no matter what we humans do or want or how much technology and chemistry we use, it is not up to us whether someone lives or dies.

The original question asks:

Choosing not to cure a terminally ill disease considered suicide?
When face with a chronic, painful, death, would choosing not to sustain life as long as possible concidered as suicide according to God?

While the wording is a bit contradictory, I also think it answers itself - If the disease is terminal, doesn't that imply there is no cure?

I think you meant "chronic, painful disease?" (Death is pretty much chronic by default ) Again ~ if the chronic, painful disease is terminal (i.e. there is no "cure"), doesn't that imply that you're going to die no matter what treatment you choose to undergo?

Suicide is the taking of your own life. I personally don't believe that undergoing "heroic" or extreme measures to prolong the inevitable is suicide. Suicide would be purposefully ODing on the pain pills or some other means of ending the suffering early, not ending the medical treatment that won't "cure" the disease anyway.
showthread.php?t=13599

 

[SoliDeoGloria]

When face with a chronic, painful, death, would choosing not to sustain life as long as possible concidered as suicide according to God? </FONT>

I guess my first question on this subject is whether or not God has anything to say about Suicide in the Bible anyways. When one considers the story of Samson in the book of Judges, and his end, A question is seriously raised about the issue of whether or not God even has a problem with suicide anyways. Now don't get me wrong, I, as a christian am not trying to promote suicide. There are just too many holes in an attempt at making a biblical argument against suicide.

Sincerely,
SolideoGloria

 

[Draka]

I kind of think that if one has an incurable disease that is terminal anyway...to prolong the life and suffering artificially would sort of be going against "God's will" wouldn't it? What if it is "God's will" that one die of that disease...that that is their natural time to go? And fighting it artificially is going against "God's wishes"?

 

[The Voice of Reason]

I can't speak for God, but I'm willing to bet that W and Jeb Bush both think it's a sin - if that position will get them more money, support and votes from the Religious Right.

TVOR

 

[EnhancedSpirit]

There are some Christians who do not even believe in going to doctors. Did you all hear about the infant who walked into a beehive, and was stung more than 50times. His parents did not take him to the doctor and he died. My brother in law used to be roomates with that guy. So this story was very close to home.

 

[Godslove]

When face with a chronic, painful, death, would choosing not to sustain life as long as possible concidered as suicide according to God? </FONT>

There have been many stories of people that have had near death experiences and were told that it was wrong for one to take ones life for it was forbidden and that we are to endure to the end Amen

 

[Ozzie]

When face with a chronic, painful, death, would choosing not to sustain life as long as possible concidered as suicide according to God? </FONT>

Miracles are possible.

 

[Comicaze247]

Letting yourself die is different than suicide. If there's no cure, then why live in agony?

 

[Scott C.]

When face with a chronic, painful, death, would choosing not to sustain life as long as possible concidered as suicide according to God? </FONT>

When my grandmother was about 80, she was diagnosed with Leukemia and told that without treatment she would only live about 3 more months. The doctors told her that treatment might extend her life by a couple more months, but she would be quite sick from the treatment. The doctors gave her no hope of overcoming the illness. My grandmother decided to not be treated. She didn't feel the suffering was worth it at her age. She would rather live 3 months and feel great, than live maybe 6 months and be in and out of the hospital and feel terrible. She enjoyed her final 3 months feeling remarkably well and spending time with her loved ones to say goodbye. She was upbeat and felt ready to go "home".

If I received the same diagnosis now, I would fight it. I don't want to go yet and I have more things to do here. It would be worth it to me to be sick from treatment and extend my life as long as possible.

 

[horizon_mj1]

I in no way would think that allowing yourself to succumb to an illness would be similar to suicide. After watching several people throughout my life, inclucing my father, frandmother, grandfather, mother-in-law and an aunt I was very close to all try to fight a terminal illness, I would personally forgo treatment. When you watch someone walking around, having the ability to do things for themselves, then recieve treatments that are suppose to help them, deteriorate them, it has an effect on the way you view certain healthcare procedures.