Euthanasia is a topic that has occupied my mind on many occasions over the last few decades, after seeing some elderly people and wondering about their quality of life.
Euthanasia is a topic that many people are firmly against, for human beings, although they will be considerate enough to their older dogs, and end their suffering using Euthanasia.
Religion is one major obstacle against Euthanasia, with the argument being used that only God has the right to decide on when we move on from our Human existence.
This is a topic that often gets my mind working, and I have wondered for many years about one particular point on this.
Some FACTS based on religion and/or scientific study:
- God created us (Note 1)
- During the time of Jesus Christ the average human life expectancy was well under 50 years. (Note 2)
- By the 21st century, the Human life expectancy was hovering around the 80 year span. (Note 3)
The oldest human ever, according to the bible was Methuselah, who lived to be 969 years old. Moses however, a much later Biblical figure , lived only to 120 years. It appears that during the time of Gods involvement with the Human race, he has been reducing our age span.
However, scientists and other in the human race, have been working hard to defeat Gods plans to reduce our spans, by inventing procedures to extend our lives.
This brings TWO questions into my mind:
- Do we have the right to alter Gods intentions, by increasing our life span ?
- Is it wrong to believe that God only wanted us to live to a reasonable age, and take steps to honour his intentions ?
OK… a third question..
- Why is it right to end a dogs suffering but not a Humans suffering ?
The above is my first attempt at putting my thoughts on this into writing, following a discussion where it was suggested that I write down my thoughts. I will expand on this at some stage, but also request others to add their own “logical and thought-out” contributions.
Notes and Sources:
Note 1:
- God created the Human race, according to the Bible.
Note 2:
- According to various sources, the average human life expectancy was under 50 years in the period around the Birth of Jesus Christ.
- In the year 500AD the average life expectancy in the Roman Empire was 35 years for men and 41 years for women. The average for the rest of the world is being quoted around 24 years for men and 32 years for women.
- Average life span and life expectancy in the United States have grown dramatically in this century, from about 47 years in 1900 to about 78 years in 2000. Source: www.antiagingresearch.com
Note 3:
- In 1950 the life expectancy was: 68.2 years
- In 1980 the life expectancy was: 73.7 years
- In 2003 the life expectancy was: 77.5 years Source: CDC Health, United States, 2006
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