Obligatory Schiavo post

[demiurgent]

Let us postulate that a lack of higher brain function does not mean death, in the sense of one's immortal soul, even if it means the end of cognition. Certainly, no one can claim Terry Schiavo is currently thinking or dreaming -- there is no brainwave activity typical of any sort of awareness, whether conscious, subconscious or unconscious.

So. We have a situation where there is life, trapped in a form without thought, without hope of thought. An eternity of meaningless existence.

Let us postulate that immortal soul, unable to move on because it is chained to a broken body incapable of perceiving its world, interacting with its world, or even thinking.

Let us postulate that soul, alone in the dark.

There is no question, to my mind, that Schiavo should be allowed to pass on. If it turns out there is something to souls and the afterlife, it becomes all the more important to let her move on.

It is cruel to cling because one cannot bear to let go.

Comments

[borghalrantipol.livejournal.com]

I posted this in my own journal, but I'm trying to spread it around. If you haven't already, get yourself a living will (http://www.uslivingwillregistry.com/). What's happening to Terry makes my stomach turn, not just the refusal of her parents to let go, but the fact that she has become a convenient political talking point and a tool to get a bunch of pro-life politicians re-elected, and I would hate to see it happen to anyone else.

[rabbi-thor.livejournal.com]

My wife and I have talked about just this type of issue for years, but just never got around to doing anything about it. Living wills have now become a necessity to us.

I don't know what sickens me more; her parents refusal to accept reality, or the politicians who are jumping at the chance to use this for their own machinations. At least the courts and Florida's legislature are showing some sense.

[cinnabari.livejournal.com]

It is cruel to cling because one cannot bear to let go.

Yes.

[magentamom.livejournal.com]

That's struck me, as well. If people honestly think that somewhere in there the woman is alive, how could they bear to leave her that way? As a Christian, I personally can't believe God is that cruel and believe her soul has long since slipped into His care.

I have the same issue with stem-cell research. Gah, if all those little embryos people create for IVF have little souls trapped in them how could anyone argue that we should freeze them for all eternity? What is the *matter* with people that they fetishize "life" that equals separation from God, humankind and all understanding?

While I can feel some sympathy for her parents they have long since left any sense of the reality of the situation behind them. I find it strange, really, with Easter approaching to think they're desparately clinging to the preservation of the illusion of their daughter's life when they supposedly believe she can have the real thing. It's very sad.

[dvandom.livejournal.com]

Yep. Among the various "things God should be if He exists" musings I've had, leaving souls trapped in husks is not one of them. At worst, Terry's soul would be in some sort of waiting room or getting to work on serving her purgatory term (yes, I know purgatory got cancelled, but it strikes me as useful).

And yes, I know it's a really tacky pun to refer to her as being in purgatory, given that it was bulimia that caused her brain damage. So be it, I'm tacky.

[stic-chick.livejournal.com]

I live near where this is all going down, and I am pretty sick of all the craziness. I pray that she will pass soon, and that everyone involved can find some peace.

[harukami]

I found this a very powerful entry. :x Thanks for posting it.

[drderanged.livejournal.com]

Well said. :)

[wilypueo.livejournal.com]

Most people will agree with the view you posted. The problem is there has been dispute about whether or not Terry Schiavo is actually brain dead. I had been avoiding following this issue since I work as a medical transcription and come across cases similar to these often, particularly excruciating are ones that involve children. Because of your post and the recent yirmumah strip about the case, I decided to find out more about it than I know from the sound bites I get from the TV when I don't have a TIVO'd show going. This is a pretty good source of information here:

http://www.footballfansfortruth.us/archives/000872.html

I got the above link from Mark Evanier's fine blog. The linked article breaks down the facts of the case as they now stand rather well.

Re: Obligatory Schiavo post

[pir-anha.livejournal.com]

*nod*. yes, that's a thought that crossed my mind too. another thing was -- in response to people who say that we should leave such decisions to god -- god actually did call her back; she had a heart attack and died. humans interfered and resuscitated her.

but then, i don't believe in the existence of god and souls. for me it's just about the sovereignty i believe every individual should have over zir own body.

something else that the parents are apparently not grokking -- terri had bulimia. bulimia is all about control, but every last bit of control has been removed from terri; a feeding tube is pretty much the ultimate insult. if she were really still in there somewhere, she'd be screaming her head off.

[toddandpenguin.livejournal.com]

I've been busy the past few weeks, so I missed this post. I had an interesting thought. The extreme right Christians who didn't want her to pass, why not? If Heaven is such a wonderful place, why make someone wait so damned long to go there? That is the real sin here.