I fully support euthanasia because I believe it is a very valuable tool in certain circumstances. I don't think very many atheists totally disagree with the practice of euthanasia, it typically takes a world view with God in it to be against it.
We often treat our animals more humanely than we treat humans. Out of our fear of losing loved ones we make their inevitable death prolonged and torturous. Having euthanasia available as an option can prevent a great deal of suffering for our species. The fear of death is often generated because of our fear of experiencing extreme amounts of suffering; euthanasia takes the sting out of death in this way.
That said, my stance is slightly different than the majority of atheists out there (well, I believe it is anyways). I believe that it should be more than just terminal illness that causes us to utilize euthanasia. I believe those suffering with extreme psychological disorders should also have this option available at the doctors discretion. I do not believe that putting people in straight jackets and padded rooms—all doped up—is humane at all. The purpose of euthanasia is to relieve unending suffering, and I believe this includes certain types of incurable mental illness. Naturally, many atheists will disagree with this position. They will claim that if a person is unable to give consent, then that is murder instead of assisted suicide. However, I would argue that no rational person would want to live in such a zombie-like/confused state for the rest of their life. What kind of quality of life is that? It isn't any quality of life at all. Essentially they turn off the brain with drugs, and continue to support the existence of the flesh, which is not only pointless, but extremely wasteful. Obviously I'm not claiming that we should 'put down' all of our mentally ill, but I think in certain circumstances it is much more humane to do that as oppose to what we do to maintain their existence. I also believe that the mentally ill should not have as easy of a time as they do to be deemed "cured", and released into the population (that's another topic all together).
Euthanasia is one of those things which I believe will become more socially (and eventually legally) acceptable in the United States. In reality, the only thing getting in its way is religious belief. Essentially it is the religious beliefs of others that causes an immense amount of suffering for people who do not share their beliefs. If a Christian believes euthanasia is wrong—they are not forced to utilize it—but it should be open to those that want it (in appropriate circumstances). It would be ignoring the elephant in the room to claim that Christianity isn't the sole reason for euthanasia not being legal. Just because your imaginary friend believes you should suffer an incredible amount during death, that doesn't mean everyone else should.
We often treat our animals more humanely than we treat humans. Out of our fear of losing loved ones we make their inevitable death prolonged and torturous. Having euthanasia available as an option can prevent a great deal of suffering for our species. The fear of death is often generated because of our fear of experiencing extreme amounts of suffering; euthanasia takes the sting out of death in this way.
That said, my stance is slightly different than the majority of atheists out there (well, I believe it is anyways). I believe that it should be more than just terminal illness that causes us to utilize euthanasia. I believe those suffering with extreme psychological disorders should also have this option available at the doctors discretion. I do not believe that putting people in straight jackets and padded rooms—all doped up—is humane at all. The purpose of euthanasia is to relieve unending suffering, and I believe this includes certain types of incurable mental illness. Naturally, many atheists will disagree with this position. They will claim that if a person is unable to give consent, then that is murder instead of assisted suicide. However, I would argue that no rational person would want to live in such a zombie-like/confused state for the rest of their life. What kind of quality of life is that? It isn't any quality of life at all. Essentially they turn off the brain with drugs, and continue to support the existence of the flesh, which is not only pointless, but extremely wasteful. Obviously I'm not claiming that we should 'put down' all of our mentally ill, but I think in certain circumstances it is much more humane to do that as oppose to what we do to maintain their existence. I also believe that the mentally ill should not have as easy of a time as they do to be deemed "cured", and released into the population (that's another topic all together).
Euthanasia is one of those things which I believe will become more socially (and eventually legally) acceptable in the United States. In reality, the only thing getting in its way is religious belief. Essentially it is the religious beliefs of others that causes an immense amount of suffering for people who do not share their beliefs. If a Christian believes euthanasia is wrong—they are not forced to utilize it—but it should be open to those that want it (in appropriate circumstances). It would be ignoring the elephant in the room to claim that Christianity isn't the sole reason for euthanasia not being legal. Just because your imaginary friend believes you should suffer an incredible amount during death, that doesn't mean everyone else should.
GO ATHEISTS
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