Ridiculous Item of the Day: Israelis Let Machines Do Their Killing
Machines will perform euthanasia on terminally ill patients in Israel under legislation devised not to offend Jewish law, which forbids people taking human life.
A special timer will be fitted to a patient's respirator which will sound an alarm 12 hours before turning it off.
Normally, carers would override the alarm and keep the respirator turned on but, if various stringent conditions are met, including the giving of consent by the patient or legal guardian, the alarm would not be overridden.
Similar timing devices, known as Sabbath clocks, are used in the homes of orthodox Jews so that light switches and electrical devices can be turned on during the Sabbath without offending religious strictures.
Parliamentarians reached a solution after discussions with a 58-member panel of medical, religious and philosophical experts.
"The point was that it is wrong, under Jewish law, for a person's life to be taken by a person but, for a machine, it is acceptable," a parliamentary spokesman said.
"A man would not be able to shorten human life but a machine can."
This clearly demonstrates the difference in a faith that is guided by and built upon legalistic adherence to laws and a faith which is built upon an internal, revelatory set of guiding principles which does not look for nor allow for "loopholes" in which to bring about evil results.
My worldview is built upon Judeo-Christian values, but let's be clear: It is the Christian part of that which is foundational.HT: Cranach
Labels: David C. Price
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 12/10/2005 06:45:00 AM
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4 Comments:
It is easy to comment based on one news article, but to do so is not wise. We as pro-lifers know that at times reports omit information that otherwise would help our understanding. There is no "euthanasia by machine" taking place. I cannot believe some of the commentary from ignorance I have read on this subject. As a pro-life advocate, I humbly suggest that the new law may have been misrepresented. After looking into the questions considered, how the law developed, and the expertise of those involved, you may become less cynical. Or maybe not. One thing is for certain: anti-Jewish diatribes are unnecessary when commenting on social or legal issues.
If I am wrong on my analysis of the new law, please educate me. I simply ask one question: what is the end result of the law? If it is not euthenasia, I stand corrected. If it is, then it seems no amount of sugar-coating or justification will suffice. Euthenasia is still murder.
I will say that if my comments made me sound anti-Jewish, that is my error. I assure you, there is nothing anti-Jewish about me. One can be legalistic whether Jew or Christian. I know I have personally been found guilty of the charge myself. However, the question is over a foundation of legalism and a foundation of grace.
Thanks for the comment.
Let me say I am not an expert on this. Just a concerned pro-life activist of 20 years who went beyond the one, woefully inadequate Telegraph news report on which many are basing their comments.
To answer your question “what is the end result of the law”, I would say it depends on your working definition of euthanasia.
This law does not allow for either active euthanasia, nor does it deprive anyone of nutrition and hydration. From what I have read and have been advised, the end result of this law is the right of the terminally ill to refuse unwanted care.
If you equate a terminal patient’s choice to refuse medical care as being equal to “murder,” that view seems to be based on a stringency I do not share. There is no sugar-coating or justification necessary: For a patient to choose a natural death is NOT the same thing as hastening death or killing.
Be aware that legalism takes different forms, including the “black and white” approach to questions. You speak of a foundation of grace. Jews know all about grace (and mercy), which is why our faith does not force people to accept “black and white” answers when a matter arises not previously addressed. Our faith seeks to understand the issues, and to then help people “where they are at.”
Further, what people outside the faith (thus in ignorance) view as maneuvering, loopholes, etc. is in reality an attempt by humble human beings to resolve these previously unanswered questions -- and yes we seek to do so *within the boundaries* of our God given laws.
I understand that you, as a Christian, may or may not agree. But all we can do is concern ourselves with what *God* thinks, not the opinions of other religions, which may be more liberal or more strict than is called for according to Torah law.
~ Shalom.
Chana Meira
http://meiraonline.blogspot.com.
Happy New Year!
Feel free to visit my blog for accurate information, straight from reputable sources, to confirm that the new Israeli law is not promoting euthanasia.
That never was the case, and the "Telegraph" is guilty of very poor reporting, as well as blatant misrepresentation. Please feel free to share this information.
Euthanasia and Israel - Know the Facts:
http://meiraonline.blogspot.com/2005/12/euthanasia-in-israel-part-3-know-facts.html
Thank you for being a friend of Israel!
Chana Meira
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