A Glasgow GP has to answer to the GMC re accusations of malpractice regarding euthanasia and his prsecription of certain drugs.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgo...est/7508079.stm

I realise that the Church teaches that suicide is a sin (more specifically the Catholic Church has very inflexible rules on this).

Are Pagans subject to the same beliefs? i.e. that life is God/dess given and that as such is is to be held in reverence with only one's Maker/s able to decide one's time and manner of demise?

Nothing in any literature I have read discusses this, so I am curious as to how people following different Paths view the topic, both with regard to the rightness of choosing to end their own life and that of others.

In theory my life is mine, to do with as I will, but I'm becoming increasingly suspicious that there's been interference before now, even if only a gentle nudge here and there just to steer me away from certain courses of action.
That said, I think, perhaps, my belief in reincarnation removes most of the 'specialness' of this particular life. It's also largely responsible for my lack of interest in the 'health warnings' constantly flung at us from all sides by a society morbidly afraid of its own mortality.

Totally in favour.
If you see your gods as benign like i do then no deity would require suffering and i see no reason to deny people a death with dignity and as far as possible without pain. We do this for our animals why not for ourselves.
If you are a catholic the possibility of a lingering death is one of the prices you pay for your beliefs. Tough titty.
Believing in reincarnation I think it depends on your moment. If you are suffering beyond tolerance or dying anyway i see no reason to prolong the physical act.
I'd be interested to see the heathen take on this (honour, death by the sword and non-benign gods, prices to pay etc.)

I agree. But many Catholics that I know do not agree with the church's 'rules' on this , knowing that the church will step in their way if they should want to choose Euthanasia for themselves or a loved one (especially for those who have been in a coma for a long time and cannot express their wishes!) It's the latter that needs more caution.

I wouldn't want to go through terrible suffering or worse, watch someone terribly suffer.

I'm all for it. I have no fear of death whatsoever. I do have a fear of continual pain, being unable to make my voice heard, having my wishes disregarded, loss of my dignity and generally losing my faculties. I really hope if the situation arises in my life there will be a sympathetic soul to help me.

I've spoken on this before.

One subtle problem is that Doctors are supposed to treat "the whole patient". It's part of the Hippocratic Oath. Most doctors seem to have forgotten this, in favour of using all technology available to preserve the body at the cost of the spirit and the quality of life.

I saw a German documentary once about an organisation called "Dignitas" in Switzerland that offers euthanasia to people suffering terminal conditions. Having seen the pain and prolonged deterioration my father had to endure through a series of severe strokes I can truly understand the need.

http://www.dignitas.ch/index.php?option=co...=117&Itemid=166

http://assistedsuicide.org/blog/2006/02/06...in-switzerland/

I'm (relativley) Young and Healty so at the moment my viewpiont on Euthanasia is i'm very Pro. I for one would much rather be remberd by my family and freinds as the person I am, and not eke out my days a burden on them.
I watched my Grandfather slip from a robust hearty old man to a confused shadow of his former self while medical science did its best to prolong the inevitable.
It's a question of Personal Choice and Freedom. We as yet do not live in Huxleys Brave New World where our life and career is mapped out from before our Birth.
It seems to me that sometimes the wishes of the Relatives are put before the wishes of the Paitent and after seeing What happens at Probate it makes me wonder what reasons "loving" family memebers have for keeping their relatives alive (Cynical Moi? )

We have at least one MSP, Margo Macdonald, who wants to change the law in Scotland to allow euthanasia.

BBC report

I dont have anything against suicide or euthanasia but i could never justify it to myself. I would feel far to guilty about all the people i left behind and i think, more suicide than euthanasia, that its a bit selfish. On the other hand i've never been in the situation where i've thought seriously about either for myself so i would never judge anyone else for their actions or for asking that action to be taken for them.

As for suicide and it's place within my faith, I believe in reincarnation and I that my Gods gave me my life to do what I wish with as long as I learn the lessons they have laid out for me along the way, so I do not believe they would punish me for ending my life. I have on a number of occasions attempted or seriously contemplated suicide but something has always held me back or made it fail, quite probably because something was telling me I've not finished my lessons for this life.


I am in favour of euthanasia, having sat at my mum's bedside as she died, listening to her moaning in pain even when in a drug induce unconsciousness. I know she had considered ending it before getting to that stage but her catholic priest told her she would go to hell and would condem the souls of those loved ones of hers who let her do it. So she begged and prayed to god to help her, he didn't and thats when I stopped believing in the xtian god I had been so faithful to. I would never wish anyone be deprived of the right to die on their own terms having seen that.

"I would never wish anyone be deprived of the right to die on their own terms having seen that. "
My sentiments exactly Avalyn. Ditto the fact that I don't believe my deities would mind me taking matters into my own hands either.

Completely agree. Modern medicine can now prolong life, (or some semblence of), long past the point where even 50 years ago doctors would have had no choice but to allow the patient to die with dignity. Where matters approach that stage, the decision to accept or refuse such treatment should be up to the patient, without the pressure of guilt or bullying by relatives, doctors or anyone else.

I don't believe my gods expect me or anyone to suffer beyond the limits of human tolerance, and who is to say that finding the courage to take that leap of faith required to end one's life is not one of the possible lessons or reasons for being put in that situation?

I believe that when the pain of living is greater than the pleasure of living, no gods that give a stuff would want you to suffer and would welcome you to the afterlife.

I have very strong views on both euthanasia AND suicide and they havent always been met with positive feedback.

But for me its simple. If the pain is too great and/or incurable then who could deny someone that right. But I believe this for both physical and emotional pain.

A dignified death is, or should be an inalienable right.

Emma Restall Orr has some interesting discussion on this in her book on ethics - Living with honour

Personally have some probs with this - suicide can leave such devastation in its wake for those left behind. Not sure I could justify this, would seem somewhat selfish.
Am all for assisted suicide/voluntary euthanasia but not sure about doctor administered euthanasia - where would we draw the line if someone else were to judge on qualty of life - those in a coma , mentally disabled, gays, elderly etc?

Ed

I asked the Invisible Pink Unicorn what she thought, but as usual, she didn't reply. Maybe she just couldn't be arsed, or maybe it's really an unanswerable question.

PMSL!

my dad and i have talked at length about this. he watched 2 of his brothers die from strokes. they suffered for many years, my one uncle used to beg every day to die.

if this was to befall my dad we have a few plans in order so he will not suffer like this. he is a proud man. to have anyone tend to his cares would be far to demeaning to him.

we did discuss the shotgun option but as we both had a good laugh at the fact we are both a crap shot we would end up with a hole in the ceiling and singed eyebrows.

i myself would not like to prolong any angony on my kids if i was termed incurable and given a time limit id use it to get what i wanted done and when i started to become a burden i would do what i could to end it myself. not get anyone else into trouble.

again i think we should be given the choice. some deaths i've seen we would'nt let an animal suffer. so why let those who dont want that suffering to get the hell out, while they can.

I thought that was the default setting...?

Personally, I would like the option of euthanasia if my illness was incurable and would only lead to increased suffering.

Both my parents had prolonged and painful deaths and I would wish to avoid that-it was incredibly distressing to see them in that state and not be able to do anything about it. I would want my own children to be spared that.

There is an isuue here that is inescapable - does one do the necessary one's self?
Or does one become so debilitated hanging on in hope of recovery, that one cannot then perform the needful? If that, then who does? Should anyone? Should a person even expect another to take this upon themselves?

You save up your supply of pills and then, safe in theknowledge that you have said your goodbyes and written explanatory notes to everyone you take the pills and slowly slip into oblivion. Only to be brought back to life with a shock when the heart monitor sounds the alarm and the crash team comes running. You can't win. You do need help. Unless you are at home but has anyone tried getting a patient out of hospital before time?

Pray for a power cut?

Yes-they make it very difficult-talk about it but delay it so that it is no longer possible. I think the medical profession is reluctant to lose control. They also have a certain arrogance that believes that hospital is obviously the best place for you.

My mother in law died at home. They had no problems getting her home when there was nothing more that they could do. All the hospital needed was signature and they had no problems as far as I know.

Hi Tas, Im horribly aware that you have Cancer, so as a Hyperthetical Idea, I have no problems with Euthenasia! Exit do a good job I'm told and apparently there are places in Europe where it is legal?
Cant remember where though.
I have done this for sick animal friends, so why should Humans be made to suffer until the bitter end? Im not remotely concerned how the Gods would feel about it either!
BUT..........are you considering this option? Because I'd miss your posts!

Nah! Sorry to disappoint anyone here, but I have absolutely NO intention of shuffling off the mortal thingy - and certainly not cos of Bastard!

(I fully intend beating it - to a pulp preferably!)

But, were I left with a time scale and I knew it would entail a messy/painful and lingering death, then I'd have NO hesitation in taking my own way out - pronto!

Im very glad to hear that! You had me worried for a bit!

Oh my god I didn't know!!

You can sign a DNR form (Do not resuscitate)

PMSL! I have visions of doing a Granny Weatherwax and wearing a card onna string around my neck : I aitnt dead!

Only mine would read: I IS DEAD, dammit!