In the wake of the Tony Nicklinson verdict yesterday, the debate has reopened about the thorny issue of assisted suicide. www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... nicklinson Most commentators have said that they are enormously empathetic of Tony’s situation and that they would not wish his plight on their worst enemy. I agree with this wholeheartedly. But human life is sacred. It is a gift from God. It is not to be ended on a whim. That applies to babies in the womb, to prisoners on death row, and, sadly, to people like Tony Nicklinson. Tony faces a frightening and torturous life, but it is life nonetheless. I wish him well and I pray one day he gets to grips with his condition and enjoys the life God has given him. That may be scary for him, but the alternative is much more frightening. The reaction of most people I know, including those who have commented on Polly Toynbee’s article, is that life is something which can be weighed, measured and, if deemed unsatisfactory, curtailed. Earlier this week, the Mail reported about a Christian family who have lost a legal battle to keep their son on life-support equipment. The esteemed judge declared that the doctors knew best and that their decision was sovereign. Who put the doctors in charge? Or the judge? No one, I repeat no one, has the authority to take another human being’s life. It is so typical of mankind that we try to play God. I pray for Tony. I pray for the family of the Christian boy. But most of all, I pray for humanity and hope that we soon recognise that life is not something that can be flicked on and off as easily as a light switch.

In the wake of the Tony Nicklinson verdict yesterday, the debate has reopened about the thorny issue of assisted suicide. www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... nicklinson Most commentators have said that they are enormously empathetic of Tony’s situation and that they would not wish his plight on their worst enemy. I agree with this wholeheartedly. But human life is sacred. It is a gift from God. It is not to be ended on a whim. That applies to babies in the womb, to prisoners on death row, and, sadly, to people like Tony Nicklinson. Tony faces a frightening and torturous life, but it is life nonetheless. I wish him well and I pray one day he gets to grips with his condition and enjoys the life God has given him. That may be scary for him, but the alternative is much more frightening. The reaction of most people I know, including those who have commented on Polly Toynbee’s article, is that life is something which can be weighed, measured and, if deemed unsatisfactory, curtailed. Earlier this week, the Mail reported about a Christian family who have lost a legal battle to keep their son on life-support equipment. The esteemed judge declared that the doctors knew best and that their decision was sovereign. Who put the doctors in charge? Or the judge? No one, I repeat no one, has the authority to take another human being’s life. It is so typical of mankind that we try to play God. I pray for Tony. I pray for the family of the Christian boy. But most of all, I pray for humanity and hope that we soon recognise that life is not something that can be flicked on and off as easily as a light switch.

That's this thread fooked then.

All together nowhttp://www.spikednation.com/sites/default/files/emvideo-youtube-r-L3JMk7C1A_1.jpg" >

You should have the right to do what you want with your own body and with your own life. If you believe life is a gift from god then do not kill yourself, but don't you dare try and force your beliefs on to me.
The only reason we don't have that right in this country is because of the issues surrounding it such as elderly/ill people might feel like a burden and feel as though they should, the issues around mental capacity and the potential for abuse. It, thankfully, has nothing to do with religion.

I honestly don't know the answer to this, I can see it from both sides and understand the problems the courts and politicians have in deciding one way or another.

Is this not a human rights issue??? Surely human rights laws should work both ways. Tony Nicklinson wants to die, the court has decided that he will be forced to live and that in my opinion is allowing Tony Nicklinson 20+ more years of torture, pain and suffering against his will!

The state is apparently quite content if he decides to starve himself to death

It's a difficult one. Some people are in terrible situations and would rather be dead but are unable to end their own lives. Anyone who ended their life for them would have murdered them.

How would it work out if euthanasia was legalised? Would the killer (for want of a better word) just be able to say "They asked me to do it" and then not face legal ramifications? How would a contract be drawn up between the patient and the doctor to make it a legal procedure?

How do you reconcile your God's decision to give 99% of the population an ambulent sort of life, the sort of life that most of us enjoy, but to choose a few individuals to have a life that consists of you having a brain that works inside a shell that doesn't ?

What sort of humourless day was your God having when he decided to do that and for what purpose ?

I pray your internet connection fails and never comes back, lunatic.

So it was your Gods choice to end this lads life, but us humans playing God, keeping him alive is OK?

Works both ways you know...

Oh, and "Who put the doctors in charge? Or the judge?", that'll be God again i suspect.

Well, the Queen put the judge in charge, who is Defender of the Faith and was herself appointed by God.

So effectively, God put them in charge.

It seems God put them in charge. Also if you believe the above passage to be true, does that not mean that when the relevant authorities finally decide euthanasia is ok, you must agree?

Also, i find it is best to use preface personal opinions with phrases like: 'i believe that...' 'in my warped opinion...' 'according to the bible...' because continually portraying opinion as fact only makes you look like a fool who cannot distinguish between the two.

But it's HIS life!

The Government can't rule that I can't quit my job, or that I can't up sticks and move or choose to go home with that sleazy looking girl in the bar.

Until now, he has made every single choice in his life bar being born, and the Courts had nothing to do with that. Now he's saying he WANTS to do something with HIS life and HIS body and he's being told he can't, even though he's pursuing the correct paths and trying to do it legally.

And you can say all you want about GOD giving him his life, but it's HIS. HE can choose. God also vreated the Salem Witch Trials and Death by Execution in your book....was that correct?

Is this the face of a man who should be cherishing what 'God' gave him?



Bull! Yes, it opens a can of worms, but this is an important milestone. People commit suicide every day. He has not. He has said to the powers that be: "I am unhappy, and I wish to die". I think he deserves it more than Sylvia who thinks she's depressed because her boyfriend of six months dumped her.

It's just human self righteousness. We are happy to put down animals that are suffering as it is the 'humane' thing to do, but when it comes to assisting our own, it's against the law. One of the reasons Nicklinson (and others I would imagine) wants to die is to not be a burden to his family and loved ones. He himself would want legal clarification that whoever administers this wouldn't be done for it. It's hardly easing his or their burden if he dies thinking there's a chance they'll go to prison for it.

This man is trapped. Functioning the same as you and I, but trapped. What a horrid existence.

HE should be able to decide what he wants from life, just like he had been able to up until his stroke.