Should euthanasia be legalised in Britain? Last on 17 Jan 2011

Sarah Meagher [more...]

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Michael 17 Jan 2011 20:06

This makes me feel angry. It reinforced what I already believed.

Euthanasia may not be for her or her husband but not everyone is religious. Who is she to deny someone else the right to die how they want to. If euthanasia was legalised her husband would still have had the choice.

Hal Westhead 17 Jan 2011 20:07

This makes me feel sad. I don't understand the speaker's point of view at all.

I accept and respect that she and her husband made a choice to accept and rejoice in god's gift of cancer. Why should her mythology and life choice rule the rest of us? However I don't understand her argument. I thought that even within Christian mythology god gave choice to man, so by preventing the exercise of that power of choice we would be interfering with the great cosmic plan.

John Scotson 17 Jan 2011 20:07

The problems of life should not be "solved" by killing. One has sympathy for those who suffer and they should be helped by compassion, understanding and medical or other expertise. Moreover members of the medical profession should never become destroyers of human life or co operate in killing

Barbara Richardson 17 Jan 2011 20:08

Yes it should. My mother is 84 years old and terminally ill with a very aggressive thyroid cancer. She is begging to die and, if I could, I would gladly take her somewhere so she can die in a dignified manner rather than suffer daily in pain and mental anguish. I belive it is an individual's right to decide if they live or die. I do beleive there should be some regulations to avoid issues especially if a patient is not compis mentis. If you had to sit day by day watching my mother die you would also question whether it is wrong to veto euthanasia. We would not let an animal suffer as my mum has to.

Graham Sutherland 17 Jan 2011 20:08

Whilst I totally empathise with your decision to adhere to your religious beliefs, I don't believe in God. You made my own argument for me - you said that the reason people believe in euthanasia is so that they can be in control of the end of their life and shortcut all the pain and suffering that can be involved in terminal illness. If the main argument against euthanasia is that it goes against God's will, as an atheist I find it unacceptable that such an option is not available to me.

jane 17 Jan 2011 20:09

It helped me understand the speaker's point of view.

I would just like to say that although I believe in God and that we should have faith in God. I believe also that God is forgiving and if someone cannot cope with their pain and suffering and choose to end their life, God will understand and be forgiving. Our compassion and love come from God.Therefore we sould never judge who wants to end the life they have been given for whatever reason, but I feel it would be more compassionate to allow them to choose.

Richard Smith 17 Jan 2011 20:10

This makes me feel angry.

Im fed up with people having influences over other peoples life that base their views and opinions on no evidence e.g. God

Lauren Davenport 17 Jan 2011 20:11

It reinforced what I already believed.

Rhea Williams 17 Jan 2011 20:12

This makes me feel infuriated.

For those who believe in this nebulous god being, let them allow it to decide when they die. For the rest of us who have no belief in it, let us choose how and when we die. Our lives are our own; they are not given by some outside being to be taken away only at its behest. We should ALL be allowed to choose our means of leaving this life and, as far as i am concerned, no do-gooding god-squadder has a right to say when and how I may go. My life is MINE, to do with as I wish. And if I need others to help me to die because I have left it too late to do it myself, then no-one has a right to stop them. Each to his own without interference.

Bill Agnew 17 Jan 2011 20:12

Having been present in the last week of a beloved friend's life, which we knew was terminal, I know that her life was terminated and that it could and should have been terminated without seven days and nights of "treatment". The present law extends suffering. It is time it was changed. I claim my right over my life, and the right to ask for help.

Liz Scobie 17 Jan 2011 20:12

I do not agree with Sarah Meagher at all. I think that it is essential that a civilised society has a process for adults of sound mind to have the right to make a decision affecting their own life - i.e. to die with dignity. Clearly there should be measures in place safeguarding against any abuse of the process but without a doubt we should have the right to decide for ourselves that we no longer wish to prolong a terminal illness. If such a right was passed into law in the UK then of course people such as Sarah and her late husband could choose to ignore it. At the moment people like Sarah deny the rest of us the right to choose to die with dignity when we consider it the right time to do so.

Fern. 17 Jan 2011 20:13

As a 16 year old girl who has never experienced how to support someone who has the knowledge that their death is close, I know I cannot fully comprehend this sort of decision or fully empathize. However, I think euthanasia is not necessarily going against God's Will, or denying him his right to be God. I think it is a prayer, answered. If he choses to give you the Will and the means to go forward with this procedure, then that is him supporting you. It doesn't make you weak, or evil, it makes you happy. If God is really benevolent, then that would be his wish. Opinions however, are opinions. They can be changed and altered, but I don't wish to force my opinion on anyone. I believe euthanasia should be legalised in Britain.

Mel Bell 17 Jan 2011 20:15

This makes me feel angry. I don't understand the speaker's point of view at all.

To think that its wrong for us to want control over our own lives is mad, who is god? He's never done anything for me so I certainly aren't gonna wait to see if he will come to my rescue when my time comes. The saying goes if you want something done right do it yourself, god the figment of believers imagination as there is no proof is only an excuse of those who aren't strong enough alone. I truly believe its the most bravest thing to do to peacefully end your own life due to illness I can't imagine doing it myself as I'm not suffering. But I do think there should be rules and professional help . Mel harrogate

Jeff 17 Jan 2011 20:16

This makes me feel angry.

Can't believe I was subjected to such un-rational thought by Sarah Meagher, in particular the point about that we shouldn't have control over our own live, and we should accept a higher power. If that's the case why stop at euthanasia, let's just give up all our rights or feelings and just wait to see what god wants us to do! To create an argument for or against anything there has to be some basis of rationality, not just do as you're told.

J. Mousley 17 Jan 2011 20:17

This makes me feel opinionated .

All I can say to those who use God as their argument against euthanasia have obviously never had a painful disability.

in my experience of having a disability God is not kind nor loving and at the young age of 20 I already know that I want the option to die if my condition cases me to have unbearable pain.

The argument I have had for year is simple, without HUMAN intervention I would not have survived birth. So it is my opinion that I, by God's plan, should not be here and therefore I say that the choice is not God's because if his plan was not changed by science some people would not even be here.

J. Mousley

Sean 17 Jan 2011 20:19

Sarah's "faith" obviously comforts her, who could see harm in that. Unfortunatly religion, whatever flavour, NEEDS to enforce its Faith upon us all, because they "know" it is for our benifit. If this cult would renounce its intension to force everyone in the UK to obey it's rules I would be a happy man, until then I will remain suspicious of anyone of "faith"

jonathan 17 Jan 2011 20:19

What a load of claptrap (Sarah's views)! Although I was brought up with religious respect, through my own education and experience, I have learnt that there is no God. When my own partner was dying, out of desperation, I did something unusual and prayed for her recovery.. it went unanswered.. and it was this which revealed to me the delusional rubbish we are fed from childhood on this subject. Saying that there is a "brilliant" God (who must have some reason for the "mysterious" way in which he/she works) and surrendering your own hard-won and intelligent experience and judgement to a bunch of "fairy stories" about some vaporous "being" who lives in the sky - or somewhere we can't see (!) - compared with the true depth of feeling, understanding and compassion which leads a life-partner to truly understand that their partner may be better helped, and have to endure less suffering when "allowed" to die, is symptomatic of a life-style which is intrinsically delusional and fundamentally false. I know, when I have "had enough", I'll want to Die with Dignity. Thank you for the intelligent viewpoint of the other contributor!

Alan Mckee 17 Jan 2011 20:20

How vain to think that just because of your religous belief (which I accept you are quite entitled to) others who do not share your delusion are denied the legal option of ending an intolerable life in a dignified and painless manner.I find it extraordinary in a society that is outraged if an animal is left to suffer we still deny that same compassion to another human being.

Nick Betts 17 Jan 2011 20:21

Legal euthanasia raises ethical issues but the religious view is confused and irrelevant. The religious narrative is about us making choices and then answering to God after death. It is not for others to impose their values or second-guess God.

David 17 Jan 2011 20:21

Sarah Meagher. What gives you or your god, both unknown to me, any right to even an opinion on how I choose to end my life? My family, knowing and agreeing with my wishes, are the only people that count.

Androcles 17 Jan 2011 20:21

This makes me feel angry.

I don't know Sarah Meagher, nor do I want to. I don't believe in her gods, tooth fairies, Easter Bunnies, Santa Claus, leprechauns or pots of gold in heaven or at the ends of rainbows. If she doesn't want euthanasia I'm not forcing her to have it. She can keep her busybody nose out of MY business, MY freedom, MY right to choose, whatever I do is not her concern. This country has far too many laws and the religious are bigots trying to force others to adhere to their point of view. I tolerate her right to free speech, but when it comes to her persuading lawmakers on how I live and die that's my business and not hers or anyone else's. She can just butt out.

Barry 17 Jan 2011 20:22

This makes me feel angry.

How dare people who believe in any sort of religious claptrap impose their bias on those able to and willing to decide such things for themselves.

mike 17 Jan 2011 20:28

Sad,yes.Sad that Sarah puts so much faith in a fictional being.Any other reason that opposed euthanasia may have been acceptable but passing it over to the mythical God and his claim of wanting ultimate control,is not the way to go in our secular Nation. It reinforced what I already believed."RELIGION WOULD BE A BIT OF A JOKE..IF IT WASN'T SO DANGEROUS". Michael

Guido Papp 17 Jan 2011 20:28

This makes me feel sad.

It made me feel sad that apparently an intelligent woman can believe in and also trust a heavenly father who is allegedly loving and caring and yet, for example, has orchestrated the most appaling natural disasters of late.
Why should we not be responsible for the end of our lives - we had no control on where and when we were born and therefore the end of life should be entirely our choice.

Deborah Dawkin 17 Jan 2011 20:33

While the legalization of voluntary euthanasia seems a humanitarian idea on the face of it, it is deeply flawed because it is essentially naive.
If VC were to become common then family members might easily put pressure on their relatives, and just as possible, people who were very ill and knew they were a burden would feel they "ought" to exit.
It is often argued that there would be strong safeguards to stop the above happening - but this will, it seems to me, be almost impossible to monitor.
I also feel it will have a very powerful effect on how much we respect and value life, and even the individual.
If VE were to become common, attitudes to it may well become increasingly casual as we become desensitized to the idea of taking life. And we cannot guarantee the next generations would not be quite deeply effected by this; It may effect our society's whole philosophy of life and from there what we regard as the rights of the individual.
I myself am an MS sufferer myself, and know that I might have to suffer dreadfully at the end. I am also clear that I may wish very much to end my life, and that I may even seek to. I also know that I would end the life of a loved one if they begged me to, but I would know I was taking a risk, and would not expect society to support me in my actions .
My opposition is therefore pragmatic: Sympathy for the individual's suffering and wishes does not mean that we can introduce something that has the potential to erode the very foundations of our respect for life.
My final concern is for the doctors who will have to deal with these situation.

Sally Carson 17 Jan 2011 20:59

This makes me feel glad. It helped me understand the speaker's point of view.

erll done, Sarah. I am sure you felt happy to be able to comfort your husband in the greatest trail of your lives and have no regrets in trusting our Great and Merciful Lord Jesus Christ. "The Lord giveth and tThe Lord taketh away" - "absent from the body, present with the Lord" May He be a husband to you and comfort you

Neil Marcus Rowlands 17 Jan 2011 21:04

This makes me feel humbled. It reinforced what I already believed.

I don't agree with euthanasia, but I do not believe any doctor should so aggressively interfere with a body that clearly wants to give up.

Jack 17 Jan 2011 21:11

This makes me feel angry.

I wonder if Sarah's husband received medical treatment while dying of cancer. If you believe in "God's will" then surely accepting medical treatment is going against his will.

People should have the freedom to choose when to die. I say it's a private matter and is not for other people to decide; just like your religion.

l smith 17 Jan 2011 21:25

I found it so refreshing that Sarah was able to see the positive side of a dying person's demise.
There are no freedholds in this life only leaseholds which no human can control.
Many say there is no God however, no one can prove that there is not. Therefore Sarah just keep true to yourself and your faith. The time and tide waits for no man or woman.
God Bless the rest of your immportant life.

Ronald Douglas 17 Jan 2011 21:43

It reinforced what I already believed.

As a retired GP I am strongly opposed to legalised euthanasia, having seen what has happened with legalised abortion becoming abortion on demand. I believe legalising euthanasia would be the thin end of a nasty wedge leading to the killing of "useless" old people whom the state/families can no longer afford. Good hospice terminal care should prevent unnecessary suffering.

John 17 Jan 2011 22:00

In a country which owes so much to its rich Christian heritage I am relieved to hear someone who in this 21st century is prepared to stand by their world view right to the end. This woman and her husband clearly found strength in their dignified and reasoned approach to life and death and I am saddened by the intolerance of some to such a stance. To dismiss this point of view by claiming that it has a mythological basis is not worthy of those who wish to engage in proper debate. Indeed, I am dismayed by the hostility that some have already expressed towards something which for many years has and continues to be there to help all.

Tonia 17 Jan 2011 22:24

It reinforced what I already believed.

Johannes Gray 17 Jan 2011 22:55

This makes me feel humbled. I learned something from it.

I'm still undecided on the issue, but there is so much scope for euthanasia to be abused that I do not think it should be legalised. The government's screwed up a lot of things by legalising them; this shouldn't be another. When you allow euthanasia, that's you saying "this person's life is worthless". And no matter how evil a person's life has been or how little they feel they've accomplished (or feel they can still accomplish before death), nothing is bad or meaningless enough to warrant death. And in this world of subjective realities, I wonder who are YOU to tell me that my life is worthless.
If you can't trust the government with giving fair prison sentences or running the health system fairly, then you can't trust them to handle somebody's life.

Richard Rogers 17 Jan 2011 23:09

This makes me feel sad and frustrated. It reinforced what I already believed.

If, when the time comes, I should want to end my life, I do not want my legal option to be influenced by someone else's religious beliefs. The scene in the film "Soylent Green" demonstrates how an "assisted suicide" can be enabled with dignity.

Gordon 17 Jan 2011 23:33

No one is planning on forcing people to take a painless dignified death they dont want. So why is it ok to force people to suffer a painful undignified death they dont want?

I would choose to die with dignity.

vic 18 Jan 2011 00:20

I admire her beliefs and the way it has helped her through such a difficult time and don't believe in assisted sucide, though not because of a personal belief in god but because I can see it being miss used and miss appropriated by people with other agendas.

However I also see it as a selfish act - as much as some claim they want to die in dignity where is the dignity in making some one end your life on your whim. I know my language will probably not be the best way to express this sentiment but if you get to a point where you want to end your suffering - do it yourself and leave other people out of it.

David 18 Jan 2011 01:21

Thousands of much loved pets are euthanised every week because they are in pain, we know we can't help them and we don't want them to suffer anymore. Yet we are not supposed to offer our terminally ill nearest and dearest the same consideration even when they have made a rational decision and are begging for it??

Ester 18 Jan 2011 09:39

I feel strongly that euthanasia should be made legal in Britain. Subject to suitably stringent safeguards, this should be an option available to terminally ill, mentally competent adults. So that if suffering were to become unbearable, there would be the choice to die at home at a time of one's own choosing, using medically provided drugs known to be capable of quickly and painlessly finishing one's life.

kilgh 18 Jan 2011 10:51

Euthanasia should be legal. It shouldn't be kept in secret what goes on in hospitals worldwide anyway. This should not be something forced on us by an outdated religious belief system. Why make people suffer a horrible slow death. This is something we do not allow for our animals, why torture ourselves?

Pete 18 Jan 2011 11:56

I wholeheartedly agree with Sarah. I believe God is sovereign over life and death. I recognize that if you don;t believe in God then you'll just dismiss that argument, but I'm interested to know on what criteria you dismiss his existence. But, even though i think that is the most compelling argument against euthanasia it would be foolish to think that is the only argument. Indeed it would be foolish to think it is the only argument Sarah would use. The potential for abusing legalized euthanasia is horrific. At what point do we decide that someone's life is unworthy to continue? What pressure would there be (real or imagined) on people who, because of their disability, feel they should speed the end of their lives? Voluntary suicide should never be legalized for a plethora of reasons, not least because God exists. We should put our energies into preserving life and providing effective palliative care.

Steve 18 Jan 2011 15:40

This makes me feel humbled.

Two issues about euthanasia: the political one of whether it should be legalized; and the moral one as to whether it's a good way of dealing with end of life suffering. Sarah tackles mainly the latter and gives a glimpse (but only a glimpse) of how a religious world view can give a depth and dignity to death. Some here accuse her of being delusional. Far more delusional to pretend that dignity is attained by being put down like an animal.

John 18 Jan 2011 16:05

Another very moving personal experience when the speaker's faith and world view governed her approach to her husband's very sad but dignified and accompanied death. At a time when there is great emphasis of respecting the views of others I find comments with words like 'outdated religious view'out of place and disrespecful. Her views are as valid as anyone else's.

Cecile 18 Jan 2011 17:59

This makes me feel sad. I don't understand the speaker's point of view at all.

tony 18 Jan 2011 17:55

It reinforced what I already believed.

God gave me life, that I believe and understand. What is more difficult to understand is the complexities of life that can include suffering and death. But I see God as a loving Father and a loving Father would never do anything that would not be of benefit to me and those around me. So I am ready to trust God and I just pray for the grace to fulfill the plan he has always designed for me.

Cecile Gallina 18 Jan 2011 18:19

Each one of us is entitled to its own way of looking at things. To Sarah, control over one's life is in the hand of God. I respect her faith and any point of view but please respect mine and that of many others like me who believe that they are ultimately responsible for their ownn lives and actions in the eye of God who, if he is as merciful as we have been led to believe, will be the judge of our actions. We cannot impose suffering and a difficult end of life to others in the name of our own credes and beliefs. Has anyone ever heard of the words compassion and tolerance?

Damien Sarsfield 18 Jan 2011 19:00

I have been severely disabled since birth. I firmly believe that euthanasia should never be legalised. People who are in favour of it say that it will be voluntary, but no safeguards to effectively protect vulnerable, severely disabled people from being pressurised into it could ever be incorporated into a law. We all have a duty to defend the common good and we can't accommodate a minority who want euthanasia and, in so doing, jeopardise all disabled and elderly people. People who demand what they want, even when it jeopardises others are selfish and lacking in public spirit.

smb 18 Jan 2011 20:06

This makes me feel glad and happy. It reinforced what I already believed.

Sarah D 18 Jan 2011 23:07

This makes me feel humbled. It reinforced what I already believed.

I wholeheartedly agree with Sarah. I believe in a loving and personal God who will never leave me. As a Christian, I believe that suffering, whilst being incredibly difficult and I would never try to downplay that, is a time when we learn the most about ourselves and if we view it correctly, our characters are shaped and molded through it to become stronger. I know that God would never put me through more than I can handle as long as I stay in close relationship (or friendship) with him. God is love, he is neverendigly good and only desires the best for us. Voluntary Euthanasia ends that and takes it all into our own hands. Seeing as there have been documented cases of amazing recoveries from some of the most terminal illnesses, can we at any point in a person's illness know 100% that they aren't going to improve? It is only the best guess of science following the patterns of diseases in past cases, which by it's own admission is constantly learning and developing and regularly makes mistakes. We came into this world not being able to decide the time and place of our birth, so what gives us the right to end our lives or someone else's when we choose? We could end up with the euthanasia of the weak to benefit the stronger.

Sean Doherty 19 Jan 2011 12:40

This makes me feel happy, humbled and sad. I learned something from it.

Beautiful and moving. Obviously not all will share her theological convictions but much of what she says is compelling more widely.

JH 19 Jan 2011 14:40

This makes me feel humbled. It reinforced what I already believed.

I deeply deeply respect this lady.
Life valued to the end.
What people who want to end their own life never seem to consider is the terrible wreckage they leave behind. I have many many years of experience with counselling people, and I have always found at the root that there is despair, the need for attention and most of all love and respect. Sadly the dehumanizing and desensitizing that we find in the media do nothing to help these dear people find what they really need. I hope that the media - including Channel 4 - will do more to respect people, and not create a death wish world from the debris of its own (in part) making.

MaryT 19 Jan 2011 21:09

It reinforced what I already believed.

Please everyone read DAMIEN SARSFIELD`S POST BELOW.
What starts as a RIGHT soon becomes a DUTY. Is euthanasia our choice for our disabled brothers and sisters, our frail parents and grandparents, our children who are not `perfect`? Is it the best we can do? Surely not. Surely we still know how to love, to hope, to believe? To care and to be cared for - these are Truly Human qualities.

Bjorn 18 Jan 2011 00:05

This makes me feel time wasted.

Thou shalt not think for thy self. No surprise then that an orthodox religious person follows what the bible says.

Roy 19 Jan 2011 00:19

Ms Meagher's opening word(s) 'God is our Lord' sets the tone of this 4 Thought.
As a free thinking person, God is NOT my Lord.
Ms Meagher, please let me end my life in dignity and painlessly, not in suffering, because your beliefs carry more weight.

Martin Lovell 18 Jan 2011 19:43

I have no objection to others believing there is a god and subjecting themselves to a painful and lingering death if that is their wish, but I really cannot understand why those with no religious faith and who want to die a dignified and painless death when they choose must be looked upon in such a way by the holier-than-thous. We have the gift of power over life, and also the gift of power over death; the choice is ours.

Opponents repeatedly trot out a groundless fear that "vulnerable" people will be at increased risk if assisted dying is legalised. Assuming that the safeguards proposed are introduced, such risks will be non-existent. Scaremongering by powerful religious bodies does nothing to help their cause.

David 20 Jan 2011 04:14

I can't be certain but I feel fairly sure that if you spoke to families with experience of euthanasia, you would find that the family member concerned and the relatives had discussed, heart to heart, the issues and any options in some depth before the decision to go-ahead. They would have had the opportunity to say their goodbyes, as would friends, before a dignified peaceful death. Contrast this with suicide, which is usually a very solitary affair and has a devastating effect on families (I speak from experience). Or with a painful long drawn-out death in hospital/hospice where, for instance, you get 'the phone call' and it's too late, or the person is no longer able to communicate. You don't get to say the things you kept meaning to say, you've missed the chance of a loving goodbye and you're left with all sorts of regrets. I know (and so do my family) which option I prefer.

Michael Bushell 17 Jan 2011 23:29

This makes me feel glad and humbled. It reinforced what I already believed.

Ennobling & Courageous belief.
There is no rational proof of the existence of God, but no rational proof of 'Big Bang' either. It is quite reasonable for me to choose to believe in God
which is what I call the 'Gift of Faith.' Those of us who have this know that
God is perfectly Good and does not will us to suffer but has devised man to be happy with Him in heaven. We also know that God has given us medical science to alleviate suffering and that our palliative care is an ennobling service of our fellow human beings. Any adverse situation of a fellow human being, be it poverty, illness, natural disaster or whatever, gives others the opportunity to rise above their own needs and respond to the needs of others. Believers and non-believers do this.
Legalise euthanasia in mistaken secular sympathy and you open a veritable
social engineering can of worms. The new DPP guidelines are very adequate for both believer and non-believer. Better supported palliative care would be even better.

Ian Martin 20 Jan 2011 15:13

This makes me feel annoyed.

I find the the approach of some religious contributers extremely annoying, in as much they are effectively saying: as I, through my religion, do not agree with euthanasia or assisted dying (there is a distinct difference)then there should never be a law legalising termination of a persons life to save then further unnecessary suffering. I, and many others,who are not at all religious would expect our beliefs to be recognized as equally valid as those holding objections to termination of life in the case of those dying with a painful and distressing condition.
As with Sarah Meagan and her late partner, I too supported my late wife,in my case, for the 7 years she was terminally ill with secondary breast cancer.She was well aware of the prognosis but was always cheerful and concerned about me for when she was gone.In her final months the suffering from the cancer and treatment was more than she wished to bare.On entry to the hospice she was told she had about 2/3 weeks to live and did she have any concerns. She told the doctor that she wished to die without waiting that long, but was of course informed that it was not possible. My wife said, I know,but we don't allow animals to suffer, and as the religious would say 'we are all God's creatures'.I stayed with my wife all and every day until the day before she died, but unlike Sarah Meagher I was not able to be with her at the end due to a delay in a phone call early in the morning. When I finally did arrive I found my wife had died a short time before. Had she had the choice of assisted dying it would have been arranged for us to say goodbye in good time. It is not the case that I, and I imagine many others,want to deny those who wish to die naturally through their condition, but it is they who would deny us our choice of being assisted to die rather than suffer,as we would see it,unneccesarilty to the bitter end, particularly as in my wifes case she had suffered long enough to be denied release from the final pointless suffering to satisfy others demands.

Mary Parish 20 Jan 2011 15:46

Sarah is obviously very sincere in her beliefs that it is wrong to end life before God's will. But what about the times when the doctors miraculously pull people back from death? Is that not also going against his will? Sarah mentioned a loving God, but can she really believe that a loving God wishes anyone to have an agonising death? We need a choice Sarah. You will be allowed to continue to your 'natural' death if the law is changed. Please do not enforce your views on the rest of us who do not share your belief and have no choice at present.

Jaguar 21 Jan 2011 18:26

This has nothing to do with religion. Religion is for those who want it; do not try to impose your wishes on the rest of us.
With world population increasing rapidly it will present us with painful choices in the future and no religion is going to resolve that; unless, of course, some sort of fire and brimstone ending is introduced by dictators and others. The problems we will face on this planet will only be dealt with by us. We have seen what it means to die in misery.

Sue Jamieson 18 Jan 2011 01:48

I am saddened and frustrated that successive governments since 1967 have refused to tighten up the abortion law. Every UK government since then has made abortion easier and easier to obtain, also making abortion seemingly more and more acceptible.
Now comes the tragic next step. The euthanasia/assisted suicide option for the handicapped,the very ill and people vulnerable in other ways. Why don't our laws reflect Gods laws which respect the lives of every human person whether born or unborn, whether ill or well. Once a person dies through abortion, euthanasia or assisted suicide. There is no way one can bring them back.

FR 19 Jan 2011 19:55

Though I respect this woman's beliefs, I fail to find any line of argument or logic in her series of statements about the glory of God. I am also a practising Christian but find no contradiction between my own beliefs and the importance I place on personal choice in dying with dignity.

Kip' C 26 Jan 2011 17:15

Brilliant. Loved the honesty and the call to live in truth. Well Done Sarah and may God keep hold of you.

Kip' Chelashaw

Nancy Foster 17 Jan 2011 20:00

It reinforced what I already believed.

Christian Georgiou 17 Jan 2011 20:02

I believe it should. People under circumstances that restrict them to living a life of agony should have the choice to end it sooner, rather than having to maintain that torture until the long haul is complete.

Laurie Hogan 17 Jan 2011 20:03

I think the main issue from Sarah's appeal and poor attempt at reasoning, is that she stated "I believe", and under-assessed those who do not have the belief that someone controls whether we live or die. Just as she believes in an "Almighty power" doesn't mean that others should have to suffer for not having a, might i add laughable, "Faith' in god.

Tom Davenport 17 Jan 2011 20:05

I praise God for your faithfulness to face the final enemy with courage. We know that it is only possible through trusting in Jesus's death and resurrection. Because He lives, we shall live also. Anyone who may oppose you don't know those promises, but we pray for them, that their eyes may be opened.

john smith 17 Jan 2011 20:06

i believe it should be as its not fair for people to live with the inability to eat or go to the tiolet by them self and its sad but its not a life worth living if you suffer from my examples and its the kindest thing to do , put yourself in that situation what would you want to live oe be able to die.

Clint 17 Jan 2011 20:06

This makes me feel angry. I don't understand the speaker's point of view at all.

Paul Slater 17 Jan 2011 20:06

This makes me feel sad. It reinforced what I already believed.

The clip showed the entirely blinkered vision religious people have and how they try to generalise from their own limited life experience. If God exists which is higly unlikely then it can't be good in any absolute sense considering the variety of painful ways to die awaiting even the youngest of children in our planet. Wake up Sarah, you are have made yourself the object of a decrepid set of ideas.

mmmbeachlover 17 Nov 2011 20:26

Of course it ahould.

Trish 08 Dec 2011 21:47

How beautiful. Real Love that looks at the big picture. I believe joy, suffering and death are stages in our development. To end our own lives prematurely is somehow to miss out on the person we are to become.

It is certainly not right to ask or require anyone else to assist us to do kill ourselves- they bear the burden and mental consequences of that act.

Yes to Love. Yes to care. No to Euthanasia

David 07 Mar 2013 19:56

Very oving, Sarah, and I agree with everything you say on his film. Assisted dying has been been abused according to a House of Lords deputation whic visited Holland to see how it was working out there. My local MP knows how opposed I am to it being introduced in the UK.