Telling The Truth

-borrowed by way of Pratie, via Scrivener.

Actually this post is inspired by ongoing discussion over @ Maxed Out Mama on the Terri Shiavo case.

We are shoveled so much propaganda each and every day it can become burdensome to sift out the truth. Admit it: burdensome. But there is a Bible truth that we ought to keep in mind, and this is that we should not grow weary in well-doing.

We should seek the highest good and that means threading out the debates of day to get at …. truth. We ought to prioritize truth, above dollars, above power, and above self-preservation. Because when we discover what is true it is better for us all.
So far this is an abstract ranting, isn’t it?

Well. let’s bring it on home. What is the truth in Terri Schiavo’s case? The truth is we keep buying into the idea that we are gods. That we can use technology and debates to determine who lives and dies, for how long and what makes them a worthwhile human being. We are playing the role and the cost is coming due, but perhaps we can put the brakes on some of this. Perhaps there is still a little time. We are continuing it by playing out the whole thing in the courts of Nero’s Circus, the thumbs up or down of the crowds- it worked for OJ. Yet, we should be playing it out long before this, in the choices we are making in our society.

How do you protect yourself, first? Use the law as far as the law is compatiable to your ideals to draw up a living will, to give medical power of attorney to trustworthy individuals, and keep communication open so they know you and what you really want…. not what you cry out in duress. Lots of people say they want to die, when what they want is help with their problems. Do your loved ones have the power to act in your behalf? Do they have knowledge of what that is?

Educate yourself about the prevailing perpectives of the medical community. when you are told that a surgeon just wants to give you hope because that is his business…. is that true? And if it is, is that in the best interest? If it isn’t, does it make sense to go to the hospital? These are real questions, without any forcefed personal philosophy. These are the things you and a loved one may face. Are you prepared?

Terri Schiavo was once an every day person in her prime of youth and life. She and her family didn’t expect this turn of events. How is it that the professionals are in such dissarray on this? It is the everyday reality of how these things work in our present state of health care and of social philosophy.

It is we who are just waking up. I think Maxed Out Mama put things well when she said that the right to die is not the right to kill. Doctors are not the last word, nor legislators or judges. The Schiavo case is exposing the whole system, and it is with great sadness that we view these things. Because they happen with regularity, according to the information that this case is bringing to our review.

If you excuse yourself on abortion, and taking that life, you will have it harder to not excuse yourself on ending life for the handicapped or the elderly- and you or a loved one may well find yourselves in one of those positions. I have witnessed first hand the “bravery” of “just let me die” and the contrarian example of desiring medical help. I have seen it. It is the result of living the lie, but never adjusting oneself to it that it should ever become ones truth. Perhaps something is so basically a lie that it cannot be adjusted to by ones self. Should the desire to take back the power over ones own life come when one has handed the reins over to others…. is it going to be possible ? Or will the protests then find themselves suffocated underneath the many layers of …precedence ?