Monday, June 13, 2011

Terry Pratchett and the Choice

At 21.00 and 22.00 today on BBC 2 there are programs about writer Terry Pratchett. You man be aware that he has Alzheimer's, and apparently he is choosing assisted suicide. More power to him, but this kind of thing is very controversial, what with many religious people holding the position that only god should make such decisions.

18 comments:

Michael Burton said...

Actually, their position is that only God should make such decisions, and given that God isn't speaking, they will speak for Him.

Miserere said...

I think every man and woman should choose what they think God is telling them to do...and then decide whether to ignore it or not.

Those with religious opinions should not foist them on others, nor make others live by them.

As an aside, I knew Pratchett had been vocal about euthanasia for a few years now, but I thought he had cancer. I'm so sad to hear he's suffering from Alzheimer’s, a terrible condition, especially for a mind as great as his.

I wish him the best in his fight.

Mary said...

It is obvious to me that MB has never read a bible.
As a Christian I believe that God gives life and only He knows when it is our time to die. This is controversial I know because none believers always question why children die. The only question I have on that subject is why do so many parents kill their children? I agree with Miserere that it is up to the individual to make the choice for themselves. Debbie Purdy puts forward a good case for that and although I don't agree with her I understand her reasons. Contrary to popular belief that people who take their own lives are taking the easy way out I disagree because I think that it takes courage to do it.

The Dissonance said...

Just don't take away my choice to do what is right for me and my family. I really do feel sorry for people who think they have all the answers.

Hentai said...

I think we can all agree that religious people are grievously ill and should be euthanised on sight.

Mary said...

Hentai is obviously of the same mentality as Hitler.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, but you've got to remember...God's a giant douche.

Anonymous said...

It is obvious to me that MB has never read a bible.

I have a feeling you haven't. Most Christians don't.

As a Christian I believe that God gives life and only He knows when it is our time to die.

How did I know you'd be a Christian? Mary, I never thought you were a genius before...man, that is just too much. You are just too stupid, I can't even make fun of you.

This is controversial I know because none believers always question why children die.

Yeah, it's crazy...questioning why God's plan requires him to kill all manner of people, including children, in such horrible ways. But he's a god of love, right?

Anonymous said...

God doesn't kill children, accidents, disease and perverted humans do it.

Mary said...

Amen to that Anon!!

Anonymous said...

God doesn't kill children, accidents, disease and perverted humans do it.

All of which are His creation. All are things he allows to happen. You'll try the "free will" false argument, which doesn't hold water. Free will doesn't often account for cancer or disease. Natural disasters. No one chooses to have things like that happen to them.

Why are most Christians so stupid? Why are you so stupid, Mary?

Mary said...

As I said in previous posts, I care nothing for the opinion of someone who is obviously bitter, twisted and unhinged.

Anonymous said...

So, you care nothing for your own opinions? That's weird!

Jim King said...

It is often hilarious to see the religious tie themselves in knots trying to justify their baseless beliefs. Is anyone surprised Mary's a Christian though? Although their are some highly intelligent people (Francis Collins for example) who are believers, usually it's the dumbest of the dumb. And in the end even someone like Isaac Newton (a believer) or at least someone of his intellect wouldn't be able to win an argument proving the existence of God. There's just nothing to base a proof on.

Mary said...

My final comment is that Eolake has been a friend of mine for the past 10 years, he knows me well and he knows that I am none of the things that anonymous, Dave Nielson and Jim King accuse me of. His opinion is important to me but not the uninformed rantings of the
vast majority of contributors to his blog site.

Jim King said...

Like most Christians, you're not going to even attempt to justify your beliefs. What's the point if you can't do that? Why believe in something you know can't be true?

I know Eolake is not one of the century's greatest thinkers, but it's hard to believe he could have anything at all to say to something of your breathtaking ignorance and stupidity.

Jim King said...

Someone, not something, that is.

Todd Bridges said...

that I am none of the things that anonymous, Dave Nielson and Jim King accuse me of.

They accused you of being stupid, which obviously you are. And the thing is, Eolake's standards for everything are very low. He also has demonstrated time and again a lack of taste.