blackbird

I will try to answer these question, but I admit I am not an expert. There are things that we do not understand. Man only understands what God has revealed to him in His written word, the Bible. My understanding is very limited. I am not a Bible scholar so some of your question may be beyond my ability to answer, especially off the top of my head. Some might be able to be answered after some study. First, medical advances over the past century have given mankind a much longer life span. Even though many people get cancer, heart problems etc., they are able to live much longer. God considers life as sacred. He created man in his own image. What exactly that means I am not 100% sure. I don't think it means physically in his image, but perhaps in the sense we have intelligence (or should have) and the power of reason, which animals and plants do not have. We also have a spirit and a soul which is another subject. God is a spirit and is present everywhere although he is not made of the material universe. He is separate from it. Many heathen religions believe in a god which is part of the material universe. So because God considers human life sacred or of infinite value, he has given mankind commandments on how man is to live. One of those commandments is thou shalt not kill. There are only certain exceptions to this such as by lawful authorities in defence of one's life, defence of one's country, and execution for murder as part of the justice system by lawful authorities. Therefore the medical system does not have any authority to end someone's life by using any active measure to cause death. This has been part of the hypocratic oath of some medical associations I believe but has changed over the years and different associations ahve different oaths. Now because God considers human life sacred, he does not condone anyone taking it upon themselves to end it. If however, in the medical profession, a patient is in such a condition that they cannot be revived or saved, the doctors have the prerogative of disconnecting the extraordinary life saving equipment, but that would be only in rare circumstances when a patient cannot be saved and after consultation with the family. That is not considered as actively ending a person's life. That is a necessary part of the health care system because there will always be patients in such a predicament that their lives cannot be saved. I am not sure I answered your question(s). If not, please clarify again.

This is why it is so important to have some knowledge about God and the Bible. Without that knowledge, you are just stumbling along in the dark without any clear idea of what life and it's purpose is all about. If you believe this: No maker of the universe, no ultimate purpose of our existence, then you would believe mankind is just a blob of chemicals and everything is just an accident. Life is then purposeless and when something bad happens, you feel bitter and resentful. Life is just a downhill slide until death which you believe is oblivion. That would explain why one would believe in MAID. No purpose, no meaning. Just end it all with a clean, easy exit.

OK, I accept I didn't answer your question or not properly or misinterpreted it. Please ask me the question again, in a clear manner. I will try to answer it honestly if it comes across as a sincere question.

I posted an article to you an hour ago explaining that God is not the cause of sickness. It appears you did not bother to read it. Or perhaps you are not capable of understanding such articles. Or you are blinded by animosity. You are spouting nonsense again. You falsely blame God for something that happened. Perhaps you have no knowledge of God. That is why you should be studying the Bible and commentaries on different subjects. You will one day regret if you don't.

Were you asking a serious question? First a medic doesn't kill people unless he is practicing MAID. Accidents and serious illness are not caused by God. I explained that in a posting about an hour or so ago to Aristides. I repeat the answer: "Psalm 46:1 tells us: “He is our refuge and our strength, and a help in time of trouble.” In spite of this reassurance our Christian brothers and sisters die in accidents, or as a result of illness, and many of us have known suffering ourselves. The fact is although God is always with us and standing by to aid us nowhere in Scripture are we promised a life free of pain, suffering and tragedy. In fact the Apostle Peter tells us: "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (I Peter 4:12). During Job’s time, there was a misunderstanding expressed by Job’s friends. They assumed Job somehow deserved what was happening to him as a result of his sins. Jesus Christ also encountered this line of thought when two tragic situations occurred in Judea. In one situation, a number of people from Galilee were killed and their blood mingled with the sacrifices by Pontius Pilate. In another, others were killed when the Tower of Siloam collapsed (Luke 13:1-5). Christ’s point regarding these two incidents was that these people were no worse sinners than anyone else, but that this fate—death—would come to all men and that we must redeem the time and repent while we still can. Apart from time and chance happening to everyone and God deciding to intervene in certain circumstances, there is also the issue that we often suffer the unavoidable consequences of our own unwise behaviour. A modern day example of this would be—you can’t smoke for 50 years and then question why God didn’t protect you from lung cancer. There are consequences to our choices and we ultimately reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). This is a biblical principle. Satan is the god of this age (II Corinthians 4:4). As such, most of the pain, suffering and tragedy that we see in the world around us today is a direct result of his influence and human beings succumbing to that influence. (You can read more about Satan and his evil demons in the next article in this issue: Is There An Evil Spirit World?) Reading on from 1 Peter 4:12, quoted at the beginning of this article where apostle Peter tells us to expect hardship and trials, we are told how we react to our sufferings is what counts (I Peter 4:13-17). We don’t always understand why God does what He does—why some live and others do not, but we can be assured of the fulfillment of God’s promise that we will see our loved ones again in the wonderful Kingdom of God. (See our free brochure: What Happens After Death?)" Why does God allow Christians to die in accidents? - United Church of God Australia (ucg.org.au)

That's not how God operates. "Psalm 46:1 tells us: “He is our refuge and our strength, and a help in time of trouble.” In spite of this reassurance our Christian brothers and sisters die in accidents, or as a result of illness, and many of us have known suffering ourselves. The fact is although God is always with us and standing by to aid us nowhere in Scripture are we promised a life free of pain, suffering and tragedy. In fact the Apostle Peter tells us: "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (I Peter 4:12). During Job’s time, there was a misunderstanding expressed by Job’s friends. They assumed Job somehow deserved what was happening to him as a result of his sins. Jesus Christ also encountered this line of thought when two tragic situations occurred in Judea. In one situation, a number of people from Galilee were killed and their blood mingled with the sacrifices by Pontius Pilate. In another, others were killed when the Tower of Siloam collapsed (Luke 13:1-5). Christ’s point regarding these two incidents was that these people were no worse sinners than anyone else, but that this fate—death—would come to all men and that we must redeem the time and repent while we still can. Apart from time and chance happening to everyone and God deciding to intervene in certain circumstances, there is also the issue that we often suffer the unavoidable consequences of our own unwise behaviour. A modern day example of this would be—you can’t smoke for 50 years and then question why God didn’t protect you from lung cancer. There are consequences to our choices and we ultimately reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). This is a biblical principle. Satan is the god of this age (II Corinthians 4:4). As such, most of the pain, suffering and tragedy that we see in the world around us today is a direct result of his influence and human beings succumbing to that influence. (You can read more about Satan and his evil demons in the next article in this issue: Is There An Evil Spirit World?) Reading on from 1 Peter 4:12, quoted at the beginning of this article where apostle Peter tells us to expect hardship and trials, we are told how we react to our sufferings is what counts (I Peter 4:13-17). We don’t always understand why God does what He does—why some live and others do not, but we can be assured of the fulfillment of God’s promise that we will see our loved ones again in the wonderful Kingdom of God. (See our free brochure: What Happens After Death?)" Why does God allow Christians to die in accidents? - United Church of God Australia (ucg.org.au)

Where did I say or suggest doctors and hospital do not save lives all the time? Of course they do. I simply said sometimes, if a patient is brain dead and there is no hope for recovery, hospitals decide, in consultation with close relatives, to disconnect life support systems because there is nothing else they can do for the patient. I don't believe God has it in for someone who is seriously injured in an accident.

Hospitals use life support equipment to save people who are not brain dead. Nobody opposes that. If a person is brain dead, doctors may decide to remove the life support equipment. Not sure what you mean by "God wants them dead". Can you explain? I would not assume God wants anyone dead.

God is the God of everyone. We are all part of the country and government that made the MAID law. Therefore we all have a voice on the subject and a responsibility to speak out against evil. MAID is the essence of evil. I have already explained capital punishment on the thread under that subject. It is a matter of justice, which you don't seem to understand at all. Why is it ok to kill 100,000 unborn babies a year by abortion, kill people who have committed no crime by lethal injection, but wrong to use capital punishment for murderers of police officers who risk their lives to protect you?

I disagree. God has created us and we belong to him. Taking one's own life is contrary to what God intends for us. I am not saying suffering is a desirable thing, but sometimes we have suffering in this life because it is an imperfect world we live in. Sometimes people do suffer when they approach the end. I don't deny that. We need to make them as comfortable as possible to the end. We can be a good witness for God by following his commands which includes respecting the sanctity of life and just living our life until he takes us. By taking MAID we are not respecting God or his commandments which include "thou shalt not kill". It demeans the sanctity of life. Man has no business killing someone supposedly for mercy. If pain killers help one, there is nothing wrong with that. But suicide or MAID is not the answer.

The war in the Ukraine is having a significant impact on the Russian military. I don't think Putin expected that. Hopefully they will see the light and negotiate a reasonable peace plan that both sides can accept.

So you asked a question and I answered but you still don't accept the answer. Nothing anyone says means a thing to you. You are not here to discuss anything.

You are the one who asked if drugs can be used to keep people doped up and I simply answered your question. So all you've got is another comment about God being my problem.

No, I don't believe in subjecting people to medical intervention or drugs to simply keep them alive if their situation is such that it is not warranted. Doctors regularly remove extraordinary life supports when the situation is such that it is doing more harm than good. This is not the same as actively ending someone's life by giving medicines to kill the person. We need to understand the difference. I have already explained why MAID is wrong. It is actively killing a person.

No I am not denying that. I just believe there are pain relief medications and most importantly, I believe man does not have the right to end someone's life under the heading of mercy killing. Only God can end life. To actively end human life for mercy reasons is contrary to God's law against killing.

quote Some people question whether or not it is appropriate for a Christian to take pain medication, since it may affect perception, alter awareness, influence consciousness, or cause physical addiction. We must remember that the Bible does not expressly forbid medicine. Medications are not inherently evil. In fact, the Bible speaks of Timothy’s need to “use a little wine” for his illness (1 Timothy 5:23). And Luke was a doctor (Colossians 4:14). So there is nothing wrong with the use of medicine; it is the abuse that is wrong and what the Bible would condemn. There is a world of difference between someone who, through overindulgence or misapplication, abuses prescription medication and someone who has a serious illness and takes the medication a doctor prescribes for the relief of symptoms. In the first case, there is an idolatrous greed or lust for a physical substance that results in his breaking the law and potentially causing harm to himself and others; in the second, the person is making use of advances in science and, under a doctor’s direction, lawfully alleviates unpleasant symptoms through the appropriate use of medication. unquote Is it wrong to take pain medication? | GotQuestions.org

NO I would not be okay with it. I was just pointing out the falsehood of the claim that is used to support MAID. As I said we have powerful drugs to eliminate pain. The pain claim is just another tool the so-called die with dignity groups use.

There is no proof that these people are "destined for a painful and prolonged death". Just look at BC Sapper on here. He argues and demands he has the right, but there is no evidence he is destined for a painful and prolonged death. The health care system has many drugs to eliminate the pain of people. There is not proof that the ten thousand people a year who received MAID were destined for a painful and prolonged death. In the absence of proof that must be dismissed as false. People were living out their lives normally when MAID was started. The only reason it was brought in was because of people like BC Sapper who demand to have "right to choose" MAID even though there is no proof of any painful prolonged suffering. It was brought in because of pressures from groups and individuals who demanded the so-called right to "die with dignity" which is a false propaganda claim. These are powerful liberal political groups that manipulated government.

It may be Socialism, but the fact remains the government outlawed private health care. Therefore the government has a duty to provide health care. They have taken on that responsibility but are failing to provide adequate care for everyone. The system is run by politicians who are under pressure to fund everything under the sun, even drugs for drug addicts. So politicians with no moral compass support MAID. The fact is it eliminates ten thousand or more people a year, who require medical and palliative care and saves the government millions of dollars, could be a factor in their thinking. Everyone has their hand out for government funding.

You are completely confused in your thinking. The invasion of the Ukraine by Russia has absolutely nothing to do with the Iraq War and is not the fault of the U.S. in any way, shape or form. You are sounding like an anti-American. Maybe you are a leftist plant of some kind and oppose the west. We have lots of those in Canada and America. America is a country of freedom and defends freedom in the world. You are on the wrong track.

God created the universe and created you and you are accountable for everything you do. You can say whatever you want, but that is a fact. God is omnipotent over all creation. You don't get to be your own god. Everyone was created by God, God owns us, and everyone will be held accountable.

Any system that deliberately kills citizens is Nazi. You can't try to cloak it any terms you wish, but that doesn't hide the truth. It is killing humans, some who probably did not willingly choose to die, but were deceived, persuaded by someone else or simply made bad choices. It is a form of genocide. Changing the law to make it legal does not change the fact of what it is doing. The Nazis made laws too but committed genocide against two thirds of Europe's Jews. You have no moral compass.

You might change your mind when it comes time to retire and you depend on a government pension and health care. I would be happy with paying monthly premiums for health care, but the system and our taxes and wages were never set up for a private system in the past 50 years. Whether it's private or public, we still need health care and most people over 55 require health care of some sort sooner or later. Surely you don't want everyone live a much shorter life span? I am not sure I would call essential public services "Socialism". I think the public health care system is failing. So how can you oppose more funding for palliative care. That sounds kind of narcistic. We have a duty to take care of the elderly, not kill them off. The Nazi MAID system is killing at least ten thousand people a year in Canada, many of whom probably never knew what was happening. What you don't accept is the fact only God decides when life ends. You don't get to play God. If you do you are acting on behalf of Satan and will pay the price unless you repent and believe the gospel.

You are new on this topic. I have already posted the link to an article that shows the MAID protocols are not being followed in all cases and innocent people are being put to death. Many infirm, elderly, handicapped, and ill people do not think rationally and are pressured into this. This is criminal and Fascist. Much like Naziism. Secondly your claim of pain and suffering may be grossly exaggerated. Most people are able to be treated by the many pain medications they have these days. The system is just not doing its job properly and the government is using MAID to save millions of dollars by taking the easy way out.