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

[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.