The Good Death???

What do most fear: death or dying?

Personally, it is dying that worries me far more than death. I assume that once through death's doors I will be in God's hands. Whatever is in store for me is, really, out of my hands. Now the atheist would, I assume, see death as the end. Either way, neither theist nor atheist should reasonably spend much time worrying about being dead.

What worries me far more is taking a long, long time to die. I often wonder what are the theological or moral reasons against ending our lives on our own terms. Certainly our medicines and health care system have greatly increased the life span of most people on this planet. This is generally seen as being theologically or morally neutral, even as the working out of God's healing mercy for mankind or as the pinnacle of mankind's scientific ventures.

Now if our medical technologies can add years to our lives why can't it be used to shorten, by a few months the course of a terminal disease? Why do we suppose that a planned end to a terminal disease is immoral or against God's plan? We, especially in the West, have long since stopped living lives in accordance with either natural or divine timelines. So why should either the Church or State feel it need prescribe against each of us choosing when to die?

I can see much wisdom in planning, where possible, a good death. At some point in the course of a terminal illness before pain and pain killers have reduced us to a near semi comatose state gather loved ones for one last party. Eat. Drink. Talk. Love.

Afterwards time for prayers or meditation, a time to reflect, to sum up, to take care of any issues still bothering you, a time to be alone with and make ready for"the great perhaps." And then one last lethally laced cocktail and sleep, sleep, sleep...

Surely a society that allows its citizens to choose when enough is enough is a truly civilised society.

JohnF

- Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Christianities...

Tonight, I am going to share a true story with you said the devout minister of god.

Three young boys, about six or seven years of age, were playing with matches, while sitting in an old car. Two of them decided they didn't want to continue playing this game. One of the boys, let's call him Bill, stayed and continuing playing with the matches. Before long, the car was engulfed in flames. Bill could not figure out how to get out of the car. He screamed and screamed in agnonizing pain. Fortunately, his cries for help brought one of the boy's father. He pulled the badly burnt boy to safety.

Bill was left with serious physical and emotional scars. In time he and his two friends went off to university. While there his two childhood friends found "Christ" . "They tried to convince their friend to go to church with them but did not succeed" intoned the preacher from the pulpit.  He wanted nothing to do with religion and God.

After university Bill turned to serious drinking and began a long spiral downward into the early stages of alcoholism. One night after drinking he and a few of his friends got stuck on a level train crossing. His two buddies jumped out of the train just in time. But Bill too drunk was unable to get clear of the car.

He was killed on impact, said the preacher. "Killed and unsaved!!!" And now...he has returned to the flames, returned to those flames that once nearly devoured him in the burning car. But this time no one, no father, no rescuer will be there to save him. He will suffer the torments of those flames eating at his body; flames that will cause constant pain, but never fully consume the body. Suffering: Forever. Forever! FOREVER!!!!!!

Such was the inspiring story a friend of mine told me in the hope that it might correct my thinking:

I told my friend that I thought this was a very ugly story, told by a very ugly man, about a very ugly god. "How typical, I said:  First, try to frighten the crap out of an audience with stories about a blood thirsty god, who punishes people forver, for not believing the right words about you. Afterwards, offer them a few words to magically chant in order to appease this vengeful god. Pay your dues and know you are saved from this wrathful god."

He said, "I thought you were a Christian?"  I said, "I am. But I don't share your idea of God, or your idea of Jesus, or your ideas about Hell and revenge and eternal torture and...

There is not one Christianity but rather many Christianities. He and I belong to two completely distinct Christianities.

JohnF.