Why is it illegal to commit suicide?

[Baz]

Disclaimer: I am in no way considering suicide!

But - we all know there are those who become ill and are in great pain and suffering and will never have any significant quality of life in the future.

So why is it illegal for them to commit suicide or be put to sleep by someone else?

As in go to a licensed practitioner and be put to sleep...ala Dr. Kavorkian style.

Doesn't our body belong to us?

Isn't this the argument for allowing abortion?

No one can tell us what to do with our body?

[jyl]

I think there is a religious reason for the prohibition. Christianity forbids suicide, as your life belongs to God and not to you - something like that. More parallels to the prohibitions against abortion.

[Superman]

Obviously, we wouldn't want people be free to just walk around, among the public, after committing suicide. Makes sense to me.

[Jim Bremner]

I wish it wasn't illegal to kill people. the world would be a better place. Manners would come back. People would respect each other more.
politicians would serve people not themselves.

[GH85Carrera]

My uncle died a slow painful death from cancer. He would scream in pain if the care taker rolled him over to change the sheets. He begged for a lethal dose of morphine. He had to suffer for several more months before his heart gave out.

[porsche4life]

JYL hit it... Stems from that lack of separation of church and state. Christians love imparting their beliefs as laws, and pretending that its for a civil good, not just forcing their beliefs on others.

[BigInJapan]

Christopher Hitchens explains it better than most.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by jyl

I think there is a religious reason for the prohibition. Christianity forbids suicide, as your life belongs to God and not to you - something like that. More parallels to the prohibitions against abortion.

You just made my point.

If religion forbids both abortion and suicide...why is one legal and the other not?

Religion doesn't factor into this - I think it's because those who make the decisions (the people really) are not ready to accept that humans do have a shelf life.

Unlike animals and fetuses, I guess.

If you ask me it should be the other way around.

[Mothy]

It's kinda pointless bit of law.

If you succeed they can't arrest you - you're dead.

If you fail you have not broken the law - you have not committed suicide.

I think in most countries it's illegal to attempt to commit suicide - but I have never heard of anyone being charged with the offence. Normally they get them help.

[M.D. Holloway]

but insurence wont pay out...its all about money...

[Tobra]

Dollah dollah bill yo' indeed.

[Hugh R]

Its like polygamy. If its illegal to have more than one wife, how can you commit it? The first was legal the next ones aren't legal marriages, so how can you commit polygamy?

[redstrosekNic]

Originally Posted by LubeMaster77

but insurence wont pay out...its all about money...

Social security does pay dependents under 18 until they graduate high school, however.

[ZOA NOM]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

My uncle died a slow painful death from cancer. He would scream in pain if the care taker rolled him over to change the sheets. He begged for a lethal dose of morphine. He had to suffer for several more months before his heart gave out.

My father was in the same situation, but, living in Washington state, where there is a "death with dignity" law, he was allowed to end his suffering on his own terms.

It was the most surreal experience of my life. He was lucid to the very end, and took the medicine in one shot. I was never prouder or more in awe. We're talking about 90 capsules of secanol, emptied individually, and mixed in an 8 ounce drink. The entire family was at his side, and we all took a shot of his favorite rum as a chaser before he sat back in his bed, closed his eyes and fell asleep. We watched as my mother held him until his last, dramatic breath, and he was gone.

My mother was absolutely against it, right up to the moment he passed, at which time she immediately flipped, and understood how much it meant to him to leave on his own terms. Anyone who is in this situation should move to a state with similar laws, in my view. It was an experience I'll never forget.

edit: with regard to insurance, Washington state basically requires that a patient has a diagnosis of less than six months to live, to be eligible for the procedure, and the cause of death is listed as whatever the disease was that actually caused the situation, so the insurance is unaffected.

[HardDrive]

Thank you for sharing that. Frankly, I think its barbarous that this isn't the law of the land for the entire USA.

Originally Posted by ZOA NOM

My father was in the same situation, but, living in Washington state, where there is a "death with dignity" law, he was allowed to end his suffering on his own terms.

It was the most surreal experience of my life. He was lucid to the very end, and took the medicine in one shot. I was never prouder or more in awe. We're talking about 90 capsules of secanol, emptied individually, and mixed in an 8 ounce drink. The entire family was at his side, and we all took a shot of his favorite rum as a chaser before he sat back in his bed, closed his eyes and fell asleep. We watched as my mother held him until his last, dramatic breath, and he was gone.

My mother was absolutely against it, right up to the moment he passed, at which time she immediately flipped, and understood how much it meant to him to leave on his own terms. Anyone who is in this situation should move to a state with similar laws, in my view. It was an experience I'll never forget.

edit: with regard to insurance, Washington state basically requires that a patient has a diagnosis of less than six months to live, to be eligible for the procedure, and the cause of death is listed as whatever the disease was that actually caused the situation, so the insurance is unaffected.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Somewhat adding insult to injury, isn't it? If you are such a failure that you fail at suicide, then they throw you in jail for it.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by LubeMaster77

but insurence wont pay out...its all about money...

Depends on the state. In CA for example they will pick up the tab if the policy is over two years old.

And to me the ability to end one's own life sets us apart from other species. There is a reason it rates increase dramatically with older men. I can't blame them.

G

[ZOA NOM]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Thank you for sharing that. Frankly, I think its barbarous that this isn't the law of the land for the entire USA.

I completely agree. I was on the fence, I have to admit, but I lived it with him, and he made me a believer. There is a cautionary caveat, however...

The law in Washington requires two declarations by the patient to a physician, separated by a minimum of 15 days. This turned out to be a frustrating period because my father waited until he was admitted to the hospital with severe pain, to initiate the first request, which started the 15 day clock, and he was forced to wait the full 15 days, which is precisely what he wanted to prevent. It was a miserable, frustrating time for the whole family as we waited with him, and cared for him while he waited. If he had initiated the first request upon diagnosis, the second could have waited until the last minute, and the drug would have been delivered immediately.

[Jim Bremner]

Odd thing is that I watched something today on it using 10 gallons of helium and a plastic bag.


I'm torn on it but I wouldnt want to prolong my pain and suffering on me nor my family.

[VINMAN]

Thanks for sharing that Zoa.

I watched my first wife and my brother both die a slow agonizing death from cancer. I know both of them would have ended it if they were able to.