NBR: Can I start a debate before the end of my lunch break?

[briarrose]

I am Christian, and anti human euthanasia because I believe everyone is here for a purpose and has something meaningful to contribute in life. However, I would use a do not resuscitate order in certain situations. This is a discussion I have been trying to get DH to have with me for a while but he wont. I have to admit that I am not super prepared to defend my arguments here, but those are my basic feelings.

With a pet, I suppose I am pro-euthanasia in a case like you are having. Never having gone through that myself with a pet, I know I would be an absolute wreck, and I don't know what kind of decision I would make, but I know I wouldn't do what those people are doing to you.

As for the taking my own life thing, I don't think I could, especially because of being Christian. I have been thinking about this quite a bit lately for my mom. She is battling an illness that we are not quite sure what is going to. She has very bad Lyme disease that is taking away her abilities to walk and to control her bladder. It really sucks. We are not sure if the problem is the Lyme, or if it is something worse. Her neurologist sad ALS, but he had no info to back up that diagnosis and this whole thing has just been a mess. If it is ALS, I understand the desire for assisted suicide, but I just cant get behind it. We all have a purpose to serve out. I just pray every day that her treatments will stop working and she can return to health so that we don't have to think about things like this anymore.

[blckroses]

I'm pro euthanasia for both humans and animals. I don't want to watch anyone suffer if they are dying.

I watched a great documentary about the Death with Dignity act in Oregon called How to Die in Oregon. It was very interesting. I think that if people have a fatal illness, they should get to chose if they want to die peacefully before they waste away. It's not a choice everyone would make, but I think it should be an option. I don't want to die slowly and painfully all doped up on medication, what's the point?

My older cat has chronic kidney disease and she's going to die from it someday soon. I will continue to give her non-invasive care until she no longer has a good quality of life. We stopped giving her some medications because they were causing her too much stress and didn't seem to be improving her condition at all. I know eventually I'm going to have to make the decision to euthanize her when that time comes. I owe it to her to not let her suffer and slowly dehydrate to death.

[toratoratori]

@lemonpielover Question for clarification: Are they coming back to get the cat? Or are they just leaving it with you until it dies? If the latter, isn't that technically a surrender, and can't you euthanize the cat if that's what's in its best interest?

I'm pro euthanasia for suffering animals, as well as for suffering people. I wish euthanasia was a legitimate option for people with terminal illnesses.

I consider myself fairly religious, and I value human life, but to me, that also means the quality of human life. I'm also unconvinced that "everyone is here for a reason." What purpose do mass murderers and rapists serve?

[peanuts]

I'm Catholic, yet also a born and raised Nebraskan.

If we see an animal suffering that cannot be saved, it's kindest for everyone to put it out of it's misery. I know there are some that will say, "give it medicine to make it comfortable until it passes naturally." Well when the cattle truck is in an accident and cows are STUCK underneath it and giving them something isn't an option...you don't let it suffer. You shoot it ASAP so the suffering ends.

As for human euthanasia...no. Unless it's by choice. That lady in Oregon (was it? Or Washington?) that took her own life with medical intervention, I give props to her for having the guts to do it, but I'm not sure I could. I guess it would depend on the severity of the situation and, like her, if I knew I was going to have a long and very painful process. I don't have a problem with someone making that choice for themselves however. As PP said, we're all here for a reason. But IMO, we are also given the intelligence and capacity to make decisions for ourselves, so God intended us to use those skills in a way we each deem acceptable for ourselves.

[weeklyplanner]

That cat owner sounds like a real dick.

I am pro euthanasia for my pets. I know it will be so hard when the day comes for my pups, but I couldn't let such loving little guys suffer.

Oddly enough, I thought I was anti euthanasia for humans. But after typing the above statement about my pets it made wonder. Why would I want a loved one or myself to suffer? I wouldn't. But I also don't think I'd ever be brave enough to make such a final decision.

[rosebean]

Pro. We've had many very sick pets that have had to be let go. Even my horse had to be put down because he could barely walk. There's something called "quality of life" that should be considered.

[mrsnorris]

I have a hard time calling myself "pro" euthanasia since obviously it's a situation I'd hope no one is ever in, but I certainly think it should be legal with the right protections to ensure that it isn't abused and that the decision isn't being made in situations where a person isn't able to make the decision is their right mind. I would never judge anyone for making that choice and hope to never be in a situation directly or indirectly where it's a consideration. I think in some cases it's incredibly inhumane to deny a person or animal the right to be free of a slow, painful, terrible death. I would put my pet out of their misery in the situation described in the OP and would support a loved one making that choice under circumstances where I was sure they weren't coerced or suffering from a condition that clouded their judgement.

[outdoorgirl10]

I'm pro euthanasia for pets. I've had cats my whole life, and now a dog and had had to put all but 1 to sleep because their conditions were so bad that things got to a point where more intervention wasn't going to make a difference and the poor things were suffering. I was OK with it because I knew that I was a good kitty mommy and they had a happy life while they were with me.

For humans, I would say I'm pro, but if it were me that had to be the one to make it happen, I would want to know for sure that it's what the person wanted. And without talking about it or having it written down, how can one truly know? Tough questions.

For me, I hadn't really thought about it but I guess I'm pro. If at some point I can no longer do what I like to do (whatever that happens to be) and I'm NOT OK with the fact that I can't do what I like to do, then I would make sure people know it's time I go.

[DirtyLurker]

Pro. Pretty much what blckroses and toratoratori

[mfsunshine]

I am pro euthanasia for both humans and animals. And I am also pro physician-assisted euthanasia as well (ie. Dr. Kevorkian).
I have never understood the difference between hospice care and euthanasia. My grandmother and a very close uncle both died under hospice care, where not only were all medications stopped except pain meds, but intravenous nourishment (food) was stopped as well. They say that with the pain meds people remain comfortable, but I have a hard time believing that without food the "hunger" instinct isn't activated. This is one of our most primitive feelings/instincts and I don't believe that even in comma the brain doesn't register hunger. My Uncle went quickly thank goodness, but my Grandmother took 2+ weeks in comma before she passed away.
I am not religious but IMO everyone and everything does have a "purpose" in life, however, limiting the amount of suffering you and your loved ones experience in your death does not at all impact the purpose you served. I studied Psychology in college and attended a Thanatology (the study of death and dying) Conference for an extended weekend, it was one of the most difficult things I ever did (especially the seminar with CHILD hospice care workers - those people are saints and I don't know how they do what they do) but it made me develop some very strong feelings on topics such as this.
@lemonpielover I would have loved to have been a vet tech, but I could not handle people putting their animals through things like you are experiencing today! And I'm allergic to cats...

[heatherdances]

I can't stand it when people can't deal with their pets when they get sick/old. When you get a pet you deal with it and don't let them suffer :-( Pro for both humans and animals.

[joshan1719]

Jan 30, 2015 14:59:59 GMT -5 toratoratori said:

@lemonpielover Question for clarification: Are they coming back to get the cat? Or are they just leaving it with you until it dies? If the latter, isn't that technically a surrender, and can't you euthanize the cat if that's what's in its best interest?

I'm pro euthanasia for suffering animals, as well as for suffering people. I wish euthanasia was a legitimate option for people with terminal illnesses.

I consider myself fairly religious, and I value human life, but to me, that also means the quality of human life. I'm also unconvinced that "everyone is here for a reason." What purpose do mass murderers and rapists serve?

All of this, particularly the bolded. I can't wrap my head around telling my vet it's ok to euthanize my cat who is definitely not going to survive whatever ailment it has, but telling my grandmother dying of stage 4 cancer that she needs to just wait it out because she "has a purpose" and "God has a plan." Quite frankly, if God's plan is to make her suffer while the rest of us just sit and watch, then A). s/he's a sick deity, and B). no fucking thank you.

#ClearlyAnAthiest #YouCan'tTellMeWhatToDo #OffendingChristiansSince2006 

[minervamae]

I'm pro. I had to decide that for my cat a few years ago. I had a pony pass of old age and have a horse coming close to the end. Every day it's a judgment call...is today the day I have to decide?

For people I think it should be a legal option (with all the necessary safe guards)...I just don't think I could avail myself of it. I think I would potentially refuse life sustaining treatments based on quality of life, but actively ending my life crosses a line for me...but later experiences may change my mind...who knows.

[yogini kiki]

Jan 30, 2015 14:31:38 GMT -5 @Lemonpielover said:

FFFC/UO/Bitch:

I will never criticize people's religious beliefs, but if you do not believe in euthanasia, don't be a selfish twat and drop off your dying cat with explicit "no euthanasia" instructions and let me watch the poor thing suffer for 3 days to the point that I am praying it just dies. ESPECIALLY if it is oxygen dependent, gasping for air, with a temperature of 93.6 fucking degrees! No medication is going to fix that. Take it home and watch it yourself if you're not going to let us put it out of its misery.

Debate: Are you pro or anti-euthanasia, be it in regards to pets or humans? Why?

If you were suffering, would you take your own life via medicinal intervention?

I am pro euthanasia for pets....and pro choice for humans at all stages of life.  I am anti death penalty.

I am also really really really tired. Can we do this next week ?

[joshan1719]

Jan 30, 2015 15:53:50 GMT -5 yogini kiki said:

Jan 30, 2015 14:31:38 GMT -5 @Lemonpielover said:

FFFC/UO/Bitch:

I will never criticize people's religious beliefs, but if you do not believe in euthanasia, don't be a selfish twat and drop off your dying cat with explicit "no euthanasia" instructions and let me watch the poor thing suffer for 3 days to the point that I am praying it just dies. ESPECIALLY if it is oxygen dependent, gasping for air, with a temperature of 93.6 fucking degrees! No medication is going to fix that. Take it home and watch it yourself if you're not going to let us put it out of its misery.

Debate: Are you pro or anti-euthanasia, be it in regards to pets or humans? Why?

If you were suffering, would you take your own life via medicinal intervention?

I am pro euthanasia for pets....and pro choice for humans at all stages of life.  I am anti death penalty.

I am also really really really tired. Can we do this next week ?

Goddammit @yoginkiki! Snort the redbull and baby powder and get with the program! 

[leroybrown]

I am pro for both. I struggle with this a bit,as an ex-Christian because how can a loving God want people to suffer needlessly? At the same time, I think death with dignity is a great tool. It's highly regulated and I do not support telling someone that they have to suffer until their body and mind fail them. Cancer pain is unbearable, the amount of pain medications these patients are on would knock most of us out cold, and they use them DAILY to cope with the pain. Nope, not interested in making someone do that while their loved ones watch them wither away.

[navyblues2114]

I'm a lapsed catholic and am not religious at all. I am pro for both animals and humans. When it is time for my dogs to be put down I will be there holding them through it.

As for people, I wouldn't want to suffer through a terminal illness where I lose control of myself. I hope if it were to happen to me I'd have an option to "opt out" under a Dr's supervision. And I would support my loved ones if they were in that situation.

[leroybrown]

I'm very pro Dr. Kevorkian. I watched a documentary about him on Netflix and holy shit, that guy is not a monster. He just wanted to help people end their suffering.

[inaya]

Jan 30, 2015 15:05:21 GMT -5 mrsnorris said:

I have a hard time calling myself "pro" euthanasia since obviously it's a situation I'd hope no one is ever in, but I certainly think it should be legal with the right protections to ensure that it isn't abused and that the decision isn't being made in situations where a person isn't able to make the decision is their right mind. I would never judge anyone for making that choice and hope to never be in a situation directly or indirectly where it's a consideration. I think in some cases it's incredibly inhumane to deny a person or animal the right to be free of a slow, painful, terrible death. I would put my pet out of their misery in the situation described in the OP and would support a loved one making that choice under circumstances where I was sure they weren't coerced or suffering from a condition that clouded their judgement.

This. As other posters mentioned also, it's tricky deciding what's acceptable consent and being sure that no one is coerced or mentally unstable when making such a huge decision. The word euthanasia makes me think of forced/non-consenting death, which I would be against, but physician-assisted suicide isn't something I could 100% disagree with. I have a hard time thinking about it, because it's a really, really tough situation for someone to be at that point, but I can't imagine asking MH to just keep keeping on when things are that terrible and there's zero chance of improvement.

Pets sometimes/often reach a point where they NEED to be euthanized. It's sad, but I'm not at all against it. I'd much sooner put my dog down than to pay thousands of dollars on life-prolonging treatment, too. I mean, there are nuances there that I'm not going to address but that's my basic thought on it.

mrsnorris said this way better than me. I apologize for my appalling grammar. It's been quite a day and I don't feel like editing.

[Aaemommy]

For pets, yes if they are just going to die a slow death like that poor cat. For people, I say it's up to them. I wouldn't personally choose it for myself, but I can see the appeal of it if you have a terminal, debilitating illness.

[Chrisse]

Mobile, so I don't have the patience for an in depth reply, but Pro both. Pro, pro, pro. All pro.

[mrsnorris]

Jan 30, 2015 19:09:49 GMT -5 @Lemonpielover said:

Jan 30, 2015 14:59:59 GMT -5 toratoratori said:

@lemonpielover Question for clarification: Are they coming back to get the cat? Or are they just leaving it with you until it dies? If the latter, isn't that technically a surrender, and can't you euthanize the cat if that's what's in its best interest?

I'm pro euthanasia for suffering animals, as well as for suffering people. I wish euthanasia was a legitimate option for people with terminal illnesses.

I consider myself fairly religious, and I value human life, but to me, that also means the quality of human life. I'm also unconvinced that "everyone is here for a reason." What purpose do mass murderers and rapists serve?

The owner "hospitalized" the cat and visited daily.

Update: the cat graciously passed away.

I'm glad that the cat is no longer suffering. ?

[yogini kiki]

Jan 30, 2015 20:31:10 GMT -5 @Lemonpielover said:

Jan 30, 2015 15:53:50 GMT -5 yogini kiki said:

I am pro euthanasia for pets....and pro choice for humans at all stages of life.  I am anti death penalty.

I am also really really really tired. Can we do this next week ?

No

FINE. 

[yogini kiki]

Jan 30, 2015 20:39:21 GMT -5 @Lemonpielover said:

Jan 30, 2015 20:33:33 GMT -5 yogini kiki said:

FINE. 

Ok then.

i believe in the forced euthanasia of spiders  #againstspiderrights

[Chrisse]

[toratoratori]

Jan 30, 2015 19:09:49 GMT -5 @Lemonpielover said:

Jan 30, 2015 14:59:59 GMT -5 toratoratori said:

@lemonpielover Question for clarification: Are they coming back to get the cat? Or are they just leaving it with you until it dies? If the latter, isn't that technically a surrender, and can't you euthanize the cat if that's what's in its best interest?

I'm pro euthanasia for suffering animals, as well as for suffering people. I wish euthanasia was a legitimate option for people with terminal illnesses.

I consider myself fairly religious, and I value human life, but to me, that also means the quality of human life. I'm also unconvinced that "everyone is here for a reason." What purpose do mass murderers and rapists serve?

The owner "hospitalized" the cat and visited daily.

Update: the cat graciously passed away.

Poor cat. Thank goodness he didn't linger.

[Deleted]

I'm anti suffering. So yeah I guess if the situation warranted euthanasia, than i'm all for it. I work in a hospital and see first hand how people with debilitating illness can suffer. It can be hard sometimes when you see family members pushing for more and more treatment and surgeries on a patient that clearly too old or sick to mount a recovery. But every situation is unique and different.

[those3words]

What a horrible horrible thing to do to a cat.

My old dog was in complete kidney failure this summer. I always thought that when that time came out would be a hard decision. My poor little guy was so sick (he had kidney and heart disease for a while and then took a sudden turn). When the labs came back and confirmed that his kidneys were no longer functioning, I just knew. It wasn't even a decision really...and I was thankful it was so clear...I know many times it is not. He was suffering so much with no hope of recovery. I couldn't make him suffer for three or so more days it would take him to die. I loved him way too much for that.

Anyway, as for humans, I don't believe in it for myself because of religious beliefs. However, I think if you are in the end game, you can make your own choices.