Do we have the right to end our own lives?

1. 75

   ThoughtMonkeyposted 12 years ago

   Do we have the right to end our own lives?
   
   Please do not read into the question that I have any intention of doing so. Look at it as broadly or narrowly as you wish. Consider if the person is seriously ill or just depressed. Do our lived belong to us and we can choose to end them or is our deaths something which we should not be able to determine. Do you believe fate or god play a part?

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2. 75

   CassyLu1981posted 12 years ago

   Ah, this question gets to me every time I hear it.  I've had more suicides within my friends and family then I can count on my hands just in the past 8 years.  None of them EVER even showed a sliver of depression or sadness.  Granted there were loss of jobs, loved ones, money issues, whatever but not in a million years would I have thought any of them would take their own lives.  It makes me angry thinking about suicide.  No ones lives can be that bad that the best answer is death.  Theres always something you can do to make life better, you just can't sit around and do nothing to make it happen though.  I do NOT think it is ok to end ones own life.  I know I'm going to die one day, could be in a car crash or heart attack or whatever but I know it's coming.  I'm not afraid of it.  Granted I don't want to leave my friends and family but if that's the way it needs to be then I'm ok with it.  I do believe God has a plan for each and every one of us.  He has gotten me through a lot of stuff in my life and I'm stronger then ever because of my past.  Suicide will NEVER be an option for me and if I can I'll help everyone out there I know to make sure they don't take their own lives either.  If only I could reach all those who need help.  One person at a time

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3. 75

   Diana Leeposted 12 years ago

   I do believe our fate begins and ends with the love of God. However when it comes to suicide, could it be God is putting these thoughts in our minds or is it the act of the devil?  Questions answered in his powerful guide the Bible may speak of the actions we should and should not do but with many definitions of each entry being interpreted differently by people who study its content, I am totally confused.  I believe life is short enough without ending it early. God will intervene when He sees us doing wrong if we're not going by what was already planned for us.

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4. 84

   Mmargie1966posted 12 years ago

   I believe that we don't have the choice if and when to be born, or die.  That's God's job.  And for those who don't believe in God, it is nature's job. 
   
   That's just my opinion.

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5. 75

   ThoughtMonkeyposted 12 years ago

   Thank you for your answers. Very interesting all of them. I am not a religious person although I hope I am respectful to those that are. It is a question that I don't think will ever be fully answered for me but the thoughts of others gives me more to think about.

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6. 60

   smzclarkposted 12 years ago

   I know many won't agree...
   
   It depends on the mental state of that person. In the case of 'million dollar baby' I totally respect Clint Eastwoods decision (but I guess that wasn't exactly her ending her own life.)
   
   But then if a person breaks up with their loved one, or loses a job, or a house then these 'wounds can be healed' and 'problems can be solved' with time and effort. Even though at the time it can feel like the end of the world and the pain can seem endless, eventually things do get much better for most people.
   
   I considered ending mine as a teenager. But if I'd known then what I know now; those thoughts would never have crossed my mind...I was pretty miserable then; and am 100% happy now! I would hate to have missed out on all the joy that I've experienced since then.
   
   But, if tomorrow my house blew up with all of my loved ones inside and I was the only survivor and had lost my legs...I can't imagine wanting to continue with that life...
   
   I think that if a person really is determined with valid reasons then they'll find a way eventually anyway.

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7. 61

   silentnomoreposted 12 years ago

   No, we do not have the right to end our own lives.  I speak from experience here.  I have survived a suicide attempt and I am thankful everyday of my life that God led people to find me in time to save my life.  The day was March 19, 2007 and I thought my life was in such shambles and I was in too much pain that the only way to end it was to kill myself.  The key word in that sentence is MYSELF!  I was only thinking of myself.  I wasn't thinking about my sister Karla, my husband Mark, my 14 year old son Michael, my best friend Tina or any of the other people who I hurt that day.  These people had no idea what was going on in my mind and they were blind sided by the phone call that I was trying to kill myself.  They had to work for hours to find me before I died.  What a terrible thing I put them through.  Thankfully for me, God had more things for me to do here on Earth.  I survived and have just past the 5 year anniversary of that day.  I am so grateful to be alive and although I still suffer from depression and suicidal ideation, I am getting better and stronger every day.  Suicide is never an option.  God chooses when our time on Earth should end.

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8. 85

   Express10posted 12 years ago

   Some people are stronger or have more support than others and can withstand greater physical or mental anguish. There are some conditions that can be intolerable. Those who haven't walked in these shoes are blessed. I would like to believe that we do have the right only with the full understanding and burden of knowing that each individual who does so MUST deal with their maker.
   
   In cases of those ill physically or mentally, I don't think that I have a right to end someone's life or prolong it if these are not their wishes. If their wishes are not or cannot be communicated to me, I would definitely try to save their life and they can berate me later if they choose. GOD or fate can play a role in life and death.

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