Euthanasia

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One should respond to euthanasia as to every other psychospiritual subject: We always try to get as much relevant data as possible. Then, we hold any teaching up to the yardstick of our two standards: 1) Is it reasonable? and 2) Is it loving?

"Euthanasia" comes from two Greek words, and literally means, "good death."

Death is one of the most spiritual of all questions that we must consider seriously as human beings. Life forces us to consider it, for death is the "end of the line" for everyone ever born.

There are some crackpots, kooks, and fanatics that suffer from a terrible case of thanatophobia," or an unusual fear of death. Their false and fear-filled "solution"is simple denial. Members of the cult Jehovah's Witnesses, for example, lie to their members and promise that this current life, in this physical body, can last "forever." This does not represent either reasonableness or Love, but is a terrified response to death. Other cults, including diet-cults, also promise that, if you just eat right, you might be able to live for well over a hundred years. This betrays a related fear of death, but is not quite so "whacked."

That, however, is not necessarily a blessing. And just as it is possible to live a bad life, it is also symmetrically possible to have a "good death."

Death is the inevitable end of life. Every creature who has ever been born has faced death. We can postpone it, in many ways, but we cannot avoid it. Mystic saints see beyond death a new life, filled with beauty, Love, joy, tranquility, and, most importantly, continued life. (If you would like to know more about this wonderful life, please see Life After Life, by Dr. Raymond Moody; also see my novel Luminous Ecstasies and Passions: Journeys into Afterlife.)

Death is a survivable experience. Spiritual mystics have always said so; now, they are joined by medical specialists. In examining the so-called "near-death" experience (whichh we call the "rde," the "real death experience), they have proved that consciousness continues after death.

Since no one can ever evade or avoid death, it is possible that, in some are cases, death can be preferable to a continued ordinary life. If an incurable disease, or a time of protracted pain, is involved, Love often energizes us to promote a death before nature has a chance to kill a beloved friend.

Murder is nightmarish, ghastly, hideous, and indefensible to anyone who loves and respects life. But there are exceptions to this literal and life-guiding rule, principle, or law. If nature threatens to bring horrible or continuous pain to our loved one,and if ending life is a true Way of serving Love, then euthanasia might have a place in the balanced, compassionate, loving Way.

Death is death, but voluntarily taking a life might not be "murder." We will send, in a separate email, our booklet on this controversial subject, "Have a Nice Death." If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to write again.
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