The aggressive use of medical technology to sustain biological function

[madison2000]

is extreme among people of faith.

How many more times have we heard about those who refuse blood transfusions, or refuse to seek medical care for themselves or their children because they think it demonstrates a lack of faith?

I don't see how it shows reverence for human life to sustain biological function forever via artificial means (and a feeding tube is highly artificial)... even if we can.

[HockeyMom]

1. Jehovah Witness

NONE at all. Last I heard, they are Christians too. How about Scientology? How about the Amish? Aren't there several Christan groups that don't believe in any medical intervention at all, let alone artificial life support? These people would force their religious "culture of life" views over others religious views?

[madison2000]

2. It goes to the point that people whose faiths start out with Christianity

and the Bible can span the whole spectrum from prayer alone to faith healing to aggressive intervention. Two families with the same religious background can handle end of life situations very differently.

And of course, not every person derives their values from religion. So why don't we leave people the space to act according to their own beliefs, at least within reasonable boundaries?

[Warpy]

3. They don't see that part.

They're all extremely phobic about death. If you thought you had to face that mean old man sitting on a cloud, would YOU want to go?

I've seen them turn down all sorts of things for themselves, but when an ancient family member is starting to go, they'll insist on torturing him or her with all the technology our tax dollars can buy, clinging to life by proxy. All too often, they're only prolonging death.

It's hard not to feel sorry for them when they are the ones to go. They often have a very difficult time of it because of the terror of death and whatever may come afterwards. They're unable to surrender to the experience and cruise out on happy hormones the way nature intended.

All we can do is keep them out of positions of power over us.