Should suicide become a legal human right? |
Everyone has the right to die with dignity, whenever they wish.
To claim that you, or anyone, has the right to tell me I cannot commit suicide is the same as saying you OWN ME. You assume to have a higher claim to my own body and mind than I do, that you have the right to judge my state and worth and decide what is to be done with me. Myself, I would call that slavery. You do not own me, I do.
There is nothing wrong with assisted suicide either. Why would it be OK for me to kill myself, possibly painfully due to a sloppy death, but then if I were to go to a medical facility where I could have a painless death suddenly becomes immoral? The logic does not follow. Law enforcement community for the most part view someone attempting suicide as unstable. They believe that no person would commit suicide that was of sound mind. Its insane to believe that an individual is not intelligent enough to decide that they are ready to die, or to help them do it in the most effiecient and painless manner possible.Posted by: OnewiththeWind4No one has the right to say how you use or end your life as long as you don't harm another.
Even though suicide has touched my life directly, I would never take away another's right to have the final say in how they use or end their life. When everything else is stripped away - when you have lost your health, your passion for life, your material things, and all whom you have loved - then the only thing you still own is the right to choose. No one should be forced to live a prolonged, painful, unnaturally extended life if they so wish - that is the final dignity that all are entitled to.
Posted by: Th4FireSuicide is a personal choice. No one asked to be born so why shouldn't we have the choice to die?
A lot of people I know, including myself, were born into dysfunctional families and weren't treated fairly. People make stupid decisions, yes. But the stupid decisions were made by the parents who, to put it nicely, ruined semen's opportunity at a happy life. It's never anyone choice to be born. If you think about it in moral terms, we were born against our will. That's immoral. Suicide is a choice and it should be to make it.
Posted by: coronaayannaIt's your life.
You were brought into this world against your will. You should have the right to leave it as you please. Not to mention it is your body and your life, if you want to give it up you should be allowed. I don't really want to be alive, I wish assisted suicide was legal.
Posted by: AnonymousMy Choice
The idea that I can be forced to exist when my life is unbearable is tyrannical. We send hundreds of thousands of people into war and they die. They didn't choose it - their country asked it of them. But a person who wants to die peacefully will be stopped...why? Is it a religious thing? The idea that someone who wants to end their life is somehow wrong? And what will do for those of us who choose to leave this world? Throw us in an institution for a couple of weeks with a new bunch of meds and then...you're on your own. It's pathetic. We should be able to peacefully end our own lives - own being the key word - as we choose.
Posted by: AnonymousThe right to live includes the right to end that life
If one has the constitutional rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, then one can exercise those rights how one sees fit. If one believes the pursuit of happiness necessarily entails an end to life then the state has no right to disallow them from exercising said right. There is also a resulting freedom of religion. Many people believe in an afterlife and that belief cannot be regulated either
Posted by: AnonymousEveryone should do what they want to do.
A person should do whatever it is they want to do. And others judge others based on what they know.. People cannot judge each others suicides until that person has lived the others ones life in full and that is physically impossible. If this world is too painful for someone then so be it. They have the right to end their lives whenever they choose. It is their life isn't it? And the only reason why people try to say that suicide is morally wrong is because they are blinded by religion. Someone else told them that people should do as they are told, and not do as they wish.
Posted by: AnonymousIt should be legal, but I would never do it.
It may be sad but many people have good reasons, where suffering may be emotional or physical, or even both. It is your body not the laws. It's your life not theirs. It's not the smartest idea because you can get help. But this can cause more suicide attempts because of stress and them telling you you're an idiot. It should be LEGAL.
I would never attempt suicide, but it should be a human right, a freedom right,Posted by: AnonymousWhy let the oh-so-superior ones define the quality and value of my life?
Making this a right is removing government from this one last vestige of my personal existence. They have no right nor the business of dictating my life and it's value to me. Perhaps choosing to leave behind all of those who would enslave me is the act of ultimate freedom, as opposed to being a revenue-generating pole for the rest of my days. I just love these Xian types who spout the words of some ancient, tribal god about how sacred life is, but would enslave people to their views. I do not exist for other people's amusement, enslavement, or serviceable needs. I did not ask to be born into this cesspool, I did not ask to be made a part of a massive, drooling rabble who cares more about their televisions than they ever did a human being. I owe nothing to society, and they owe nothing to me, except the right to make a full, conscious, and determined decision to not play their filthy games anymore. So if I kill myself, I am denied heaven? Big deal. It sounds like the most boring place in the cosmos anyway. Besides, I thought real life was just a dress rehearsal for the afterlife. Well, it life a gift or not? Is it real or not?
Posted by: AnonymousI decide what my limits are
If I reach a point in my life where society offers no more hope I should be allowed to kill myself. As long as others aren't hurt. The world is a much more difficult place to live and make a decent living, so why should I be forced to live in it?
Posted by: AnonymousLegality does not translate to personal neccesity
Yes, of course. Any person, even if they are completely healthy, should have the right to die; they were brought in to the world without consent, and so they should be able to leave of their own free will.
Making it legal also means that people who want to perform suicide have the information available to them about painless methods (helium hoods, for example) as opposed to painful or maiming methods (e.g. suffocation, overdose or physical injury). It might also mean that there is less social stigma against a person who has a mental illness which causes them to idealise suicide, thus enabling them to reach out for help more easily.
Although I am in favour of suicide being legal, I believe it should be regulated so that only people who are either in a healthy mental state, or have a permanent and seriously disabling mental illnesses are able to perform it; this rules out any unnecessary deaths from temporary depression and other mental illnesses (which would seem to be the main concern surrounding legalising suicide / euthanasia).Posted by: AnonymousSuicide should be a legal human right, with parameters.
Suicide should be an option for every individual. To be able to kill oneself in a peaceful, safe, and successful manner should not be withheld. An individual who wishes to kill themselves should first seek medical help. If after some time period the medical help is not successful, then that individual should have every right!
Posted by: AnonymousDo you honestly believe you have the right to influence what another person does if they're actions aren't physically harming another human being?
I personally feel what's wrong with today's society is individuals having their two cents in someone else's personal business. Abortion is legal some places and that's practically killing another person. Shouldn't we be able to kill ourselves? For example, I also believe any and all drugs should be legal as long as you're only harming yourself. It's ludicrous to only protect rights you hold dear. You should be able to do whatever you desire as long there is no physical harm to another person. As far as "suicide is selfish blah, blah, blah", isn't it selfish of your love ones to want you live in misery? And the whole "suicide signifies mental illness" is complete crap as well. Buddhist monks have done it in protests. Personally, I'd like to go out like a rock star on top, in my prime. Athletic stars retire on top, and I see no difference. Who wants to be a washed up old fart? Not me. Better to go out with your boots on.
Posted by: AnonymousFreedom of Choice matters
Any suicide intervention should be the responsibility of family, friends and other close acquaintances, not a government bureaucracy. If you are reported to have thoughts of suicide, you will be taken from your home immediately and forced into a mental hospital for a 72 hour evaluation. Doctors, from there, can obtain a court order to keep you there longer. It's a violation of human rights to hold someone against their will if they haven't committed crime or posed a threat to others. Homicidal thoughts/actions, definitely justified for the safety of others, but not suicide. At a person's most vulnerable state they are forced into a complex as ineffective as the DMV that smells like feces and treated like an animal. This method isn't the path to healing, it's the path to emotional scarring.
Posted by: AnonymousWhy can't we commit suicide?
Sometimes things get so bad that death is the only answer or is preferred. If we don't have the right to our own lives, what do we have? It's our life and we should be able to make our own decision to end it, if that is what we wish, mentally ill or not.
Posted by: AnonymousWho's to say this isn't hell?
Many of us , if not all , will go through something in our lives which will trigger negative feelings ( whether that be realizing the last chocolate of your favorite flavor has been eaten or ,more seriously, that a family member has passed away) therefore , we can all agree that life isn't all good.
Honestly, I think it's cruel to make a human being suffer with no choice in releasing these negative feelings - fair enough , if we legalize this completely ,I think that people WILL go over the top and "give up" too easily , they may be more tempted and it will increase suicide rates obviously , but why not legalize it to those who have went for professional help first? Can we not come to a compromise? Obviously if this was the system we undertook , I guarantee at least one person would "fiddle" the system and end up going to only one quick session of therapy, planning to commit afterwards just so it is legal - but even if this was the case , we'd still stall some time and sometimes that's all it takes to change someone's mind (I would know)
My second point is that I don't think it's fair for another human to say "no you are not allowed to end your life" ...who gives any other person the upper-hand over another human? especially when dealing with a matter as serious as their life? I believe that every human is equal (or has the potential to be equal) therefore it's not fair that another human , or a group of humans can make this decision for you.
Many will say , but it isn't a decision? it's not even an option. Why not though? It's been lodged in to us that it's a bad thing , we fear death naturally so we were bound to not agree with taking our own lives.You could argue that we've been brainwashed by our own human instinct - but as we grow to be more complex creatures , wouldn't it seem necessary and somewhat right to be able to fight against this and take control of our lives , and our planet?(population control?)
This topic isn't black and white , it's got so many grey areas - I mean , if it were to be legalized , I think that some sort of compromise would be beneficial - but then again, isn't that contradicting since i'm arguing that we should in fact , have complete control over our lives? See what I mean?
To be honest , you don't have to be depressed to want to end your life - you just have to view the world in a certain way , some may argue - for what the world actually is - the truth.Yeah , there will be people who say - but what about nature? music? love? sex? I agree , there are good things in life - but maybe it's just not the right place for some people? Like fitting in at school , some children are better home schooled , some people shine at public school.Life may just not be for everybody?
That's not really the problem though is it? We already know that , it's who gets to make the decision is what we're trying to figure out.
We're trying to play God either way , so that argument is pointless...
To round it up though - I think we should ask ourselves why it's not legal in the first place? What was the point in making it not a human right?
was it to avoid mess?(sorry for being graphic)... was it to control society? both? was it to reduce failed suicide attempts which would stress hospitals? maybe it was just because we care?
whatever the reason though , being potentially humiliated by a patronizing doctor and controlled by another human if you fail at suicide and are sent to a psychiatric ward isn't right. I fight for freedom - and it's inhumane to control someone like that.
I'm sure if everyone experienced that suicidal feeling first hand , we'd all vote yes.Posted by: AnonymousSuicide should be my right to die, if the person has been suffering from illness long-term and is sure about it.
This is very complicated and delicate subject. Unarguable, the person that tries to take own life, is not healthy and is having or permanent mental health problems or some temporally mental health problems. At that stage person finds impossible to face life and wants to end sufferings. Obviously any person in this situation should be given help, particular young people. Any person should have a chance to try to recover, because not everyone, who is attempting suicide, really wants to die.
I have been suffering from mental illness since my childhood. More likely I was affected from early childhood following bad life experiences that I had. I grew up in orphanage, experienced some bullying at school. Was always feeling insecure, was not feeling comfortable around people and found difficult to blend and make friends. First suicide attempt was when I was 16 years of age. I remember that always I was having life experience as a burden and often having thoughts that I don’t want to be here. I took overdoses and cut my veins. Despite it all, I managed to be a mum and to bring up three children.
The last episode; I have been seriously mentally ill for 4 years now. The onset was combination of things. I was going through menopause, my son was going through teenage problems and I didn’t know how to handle it, I was bullied at workplace. I became very ill, was sighed off work, tried again to take my life and was hospitalised. Then I had hysterectomy following which something happen to me; I became inside num; lost feelings towards my children and grandchildren. No emotions, only emptiness. I experience guilt, I’m not human anymore. I feel constantly tired, no energy, no motivation to do anything, can’t tolerate noise around me, don’t go out, cannot tolerate light. I just want to be asleep and never wake up. I have attempted to take my life at home and in mental hospital several times with serious overdoses. I have been in respiratory arrest, but I’ve been brought back to life or kept alive. I was waking up devastated. I cannot understand why to waist recourses on person, who want to die, particular if the person is middle age and had been trying to take her life several times. The thoughts of death In my mind are present constantly, but then comes trigger, something happens, and at that point I am loosing completely control over my actions; the only thing I want to do is stop my sufferings, stop being burden to others. At that point I am not able to evaluate the presence of some other person in my flat. I don’t drink normally, but if I would have access to alcohol on that day, I would drink it diluted with water, to increase the effect of drugs I take. I live with my younger son. Three weeks ago again I tried to take my own life. My suicidal attempt has affected him; he was not able to go to work. Apparently I not only took overdose, but I was trying also to cut my veins walking around the house, which I do not remember; I went unconscious. I was angry with my son, that he rung ambulance. But obviously he couldn’t do otherwise. I try to talk to him, that he has to accept, that living for me is a torture; that I have lived enough and that I don’t want to live till the very old age. I never want to be hopeless, not being able to look after myself and completely lose my dignity. I don’t want to become at that stage, when I am completely getting crazy and be placed in some mental hospital. I don’t believe that I can get well anymore; this is too deep inside me. And I know for sure that next time will be my last time. I will choose the time, when I’ll be on my own, and when nobody will be able to interfere.
However I am ill, and I certainly know that I will not die from natural causes, I still believe that there are many people who have chance to get well and enjoy life.Posted by: AnonymousSuicide should be a legal human right to end suffering.
I believe suicide should be a legal human right because no one should decide my destiny but me. If I decide to live and become a viable member of society, that is my decision. In turn, if I decide to die, that should be my decision as well. The basis for committing suicide is really not important, but certainly clinical depression, terminal illness, hopelessness, etc could enter the equation. Sure, there are religious issues and the pain of those left behind, but ultimately, if I want to die, it should be my decision and mine alone.
Posted by: AnonymousPhysician-assisted suicide should be a right for evaluated individuals, because it's one's own life to do with as they please.
Though probably not a popular viewpoint, it should be the right of only the individual considering suicide to decide what to do with their life. As one can decide to become a farmer or a politician, it should be one's own decision whether they live or die. It would be preferable that this were only a consideration for the terminally ill that are living in pain. But to draw the line, legally, between living in pain due to a physical ailment, and depression, would be very difficult.
Posted by: CurvyErich46I believe that suicide is a legal human right, that should be medically available for the people who feel that they need it.
If a person decides that they want to die for whatever reason, no other person has the right to stop them from ending their own life. If a person has decided to die, then making them stay alive should be considered torture. There should be safe places that people can go to if they need help deciding whether or not to commit suicide such as a professional counselor or an "Assisted Suicide Hospital".
Posted by: Issac McCarthyMy life, my choice.
I never made a choice to end up living in the first place, so if I wanted to change that I should be able to. Even if it were illegal I could still do it. How would you punish me if i did? If I don't want to be here I should be able to leave.
Posted by: AnonymousMy body, my right
Adults should be allowed to make decisions about their own bodies. They should not be shamed, accused of selfishness, or have their basic right to freedom taken away from them because of choices that effect their body and no one else's. you can't Baker Act someone for eating unhealthy food or refusing medical treatment for an illness, how is this any different? I don't think you should be able to buy suicide pills over the counter, but I think if you really want to end your life no one has the right to stop you.
Posted by: AnonymousA right to live and die
Statements that our bodies are owned by the state are very scary. That would give the state the right to murder anyone they choose. Since people can flee to other countries and become citizens in other states, while the state has no control or say over the matter, they can't really claim to own us. Our decisions and will is our own, and nobody can take that from us. They can influence our decisions and punish us for not making the one they wish, but the more they try to intimidate or drug people to control psychologically healthy people, the more they damage those people. When our lives reach a point of constant pain, the decision to end our lives is rational, and we don't need a social worker to step in and second guess such a difficult decision.
Posted by: AnonymousYes it should under certain circumstances.
Why should a personal choice to end it all be questioned subject to the circumstance - if I were to commit to a scientific study into for example - (history Yellow fever) and die how is that legally different from a similar health choice for an extreme remedy ? For example an analysis of trends and outcomes for the most bizarre health solutions
Posted by: AnonymousI'm from America, home of the free.
I should be able to do as I please, even though it is taking my life! I am living in the land of the free. I should have the freedom and right to commit suicide. Nobody, and I mean nobody, should be able to dictate anything to me. I am all for it.
Posted by: AnonymousEveryone shoul have the right to choose how they die.
A person should be able to end their lives in a peaceful environment if circumstances in their lives have made it so that they want to commit suicide. I do think that if someone has a severe mental illness they should be treated first, but that ending one's own life should be a choice. Besides, throwing a person who attempted suicide in a mental hospital probably won't improve their moral unless they were simply suffering from depression or a similar illness.
Posted by: AnonymousEveryone has the right to choose whether to live or to die
If one's right to liberty and pursuit of happiness is inalienable (as guaranteed by the Constitution) then it follows that that same liberty extends to every decision that person makes - including the taking of their own life. The choice to live or die is the right of the individual.
Posted by: AnonymousI want to die
No one has the right to decide for another person when their life should end. I also believe that if it were legal, more people would NOT do it, because the survival instinct would kick in, if it's meant to, and would not if it's really time. People would treat each other better, realizing before not after that they will lose someone they actually loved.
Posted by: AnonymousThe right to life isn't a right if it is mandatory. A right to life implies a right to die.
To have one we must logically have the other. Morality doesn't enter into it, we generally concur on not imposing personal beliefs on others. Imposition on the right to die, and therefore the right to live, is the ultimate deprivation of liberty. I don't have any problem with suicide pills over the counter.
Posted by: AnonymousSUICIDE IS STILL A CHOICE
I am not saying that suicide is okay. And I do not think that anyone should do it. But suicide is someones life choice. No one should tell us what we can and cannot do with our lives. I mean killing OTHER people is wrong, yes. Harming others is not okay either. Plus, how do you punish someone who has ended their life?
Posted by: AnonymousYes
There are too many people alive as is. Start letting us make our own choices. Forcing us to live just to benefit everyone else is far more selfish. Keeping a person around against their own will is wrong! I can't think of a time where I havent wanted to die. I'm happy with what I've experienced and would just like to die now. Short and sweet life. This living to 80 crap isn't for me.
Posted by: AnonymousHumans have the right to life so why be forced to exercise it?
If we have the right to life, a right cannot be forced. You cannot force someone to use their right to free speech. Why should someone have to be forced to use their right to life?
Posted by: ray495I think that people should legal suicide
I think that if people want to comitt suicide than they need to get help and they could to rehab or some where i dont care if your a adult or child you need to think of who cares for you and has been there for you and think of what would happen between others when your gone trust me i was suicideal and it made me realize that i am here for a reason god made us all and has somethin g here for us
Posted by: AnonymousIt's my life
Whether or not it's legal wouldn't even affect if people did or not. How would they get punished? We don't choose to be where we are, and if we decide we don't want to be here we should be allowed to leave. We wouldn't be harming anyone else; maybe emotionally, but some have no other choice.
Posted by: AnonymousSuicide IS a human right
One of the aspects of having rights is to choose whether or not to exercise them. We all have the right to live, therefore we also have that right to not live. There has never been proof of chemical imbalances in the brain, and there is no proof that a persons problem can be cured. No one knows the situation like the one experiencing it.
Posted by: AnonymousIt is my right
If I have the right to live, I have the right to die. Who is anyone to deny it? It is not as if anyone cares for others. We all know what we are doing. It does not have to be a terminal illness. If I lost interest in life, I should have the choice. What is the government's problem in this anyway? They do not care anyway.
Posted by: AnonymousSuicide is an individual's choice.
We are thrust into this world against our will; into a world with very little freedom or hopes of happiness. The only real freedom we have, therefore, is to choose to end our misery. NO ONE has the right to dictate when another person's life should or shouldn't end. That is YOUR RIGHT, and it is NOT selfish. Parents are selfish for bringing children into the world against their will for their own selfish reasons. Suicide is a logical way to end life's misery.
Posted by: AnonymousHow many of you asked to be born?
I know that I didn't, and I am here now, and every day wishing that I had never been born.
Save humanity, Murder is Murder, yet we kill "Murdere's" every day. Is State sanctioned murder more moral?
It is my life, I should choose when it ends! Not a defunct Christian religion that sent 100's of thousands of women to their deaths because they had knowledge. And certainly not 1000's of muslims because they are in the same state of Christiananity 700 years ago.
Life is yours, you own it. You make it what it should be, or you end it as you choose!Posted by: SirnorskyAll Rights Should Be Reserved...and that includes killing yourself...
While eliminating the underlying cause of a mental disorder or organic illness, if a person, in a legitimately sane state of mind is determined to end their life, they should have the right to do so in a humane, safe way after proper counseling and consultation with a proper specialist. No government or special interest organization should be supported to block a person from taking their own life. Suicide, though considered an irrational concept, is still a right for those who deem it necessary to end suffering beit physical or emotional. The amount of money poured into therapy to "change someone's mind" regarding suicide is something that can also be considered in this debate.
Posted by: AnonymousIt is a freedom of choice.
Suicide is a choice we individuals take for ourselves. If we do not have the right to control our lives as we see fit, then there is no freedom in it. Why should someone in everlasting pain be forced to continue to live in a life full of agony? Mostly it is argued that the people who love you will get hurt. So what? Not everyone has people who love them. Even if so, their decisions shouldn't make you suffer for them. You should first know what you're dealing with, and be sure about the decision.
Posted by: AnonymousIf life is a burden end it
Is your life really yours or are you a slave to the corporate government? Better to die free than live as a slave. Work is slavery, time is not yours, life is too painful, I believe we should have the right to choose to stay or go. And to any religious robot, don't judge others according to your standards.
Posted by: AnonymousDo you like it when people are tormented and suffering?
he most selfish thing someone can do is to allow someone else to be tormented and suffer day in and day out. If someone believes ending their life would be a remedy to their pain, then let them do as they choose. No one wants to continue to be in severe pain or severely depressed with hopelessness day after day. It is absolutely absurd to let another being suffer so much when they just want to leave in peace. Please have some compassion for those that choose to take this route. God Bless.
Posted by: AnonymousNobody asked to be alive, it just happened. Some born into terrible conditions and some have unbearable maladies, some people just don't want to live.
So who are we to tell someone no. Who are we to make a person who has no interest in being here to stick around. What because it would offend God? First of all if there were a benevolent god, then nobody would want to do that because all of their needs would be met, and they would have some sort of purpose. As far as I can see it life has no other intrinsic purpose other than survive and procreate. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of the latter, it's the surviving that gets me. It used to have a purpose, it meant the survival of the species. Now with 6 billion plus of us, I see that as much less of an issue. In conclusion, I see modern society being better if it were opt in, not forced participation. That's my two cents. Thanks for listening.
Posted by: kbkilla42084Yes suicide should become a legal human right!
I know it seems as if I do not care about life or people in general but actually it is the opposite. I do care! I care whether or not my loved ones suffer through pain and agony when there is nothing more that the doctors can do for them. I care whether or not I will suffer through undeniable pain in the last days of my life. Granted suicide is against many religions that this country was based on but the choice should be left up to the individual not any certain religion.
Posted by: w00tboycomicThe "homosapien's" biological need to breed
The "homosapien's" biological need to breed and man's progressive intellectual nature constantly cause the problems in our lives to snowball as the years go by. Overpopulation being the biggest dismissed problem at the top of the list in my opinion. Suicide would be one step into putting a bit of balance in the world.
Posted by: AnonymousSuicide should become legal.
In a truly free society everyone should own their bodies and their souls. They should have the right to do whatever they wish with either one. This should include the simple legal right to end one's life and destroy one's body as long as neither action imperils the safety or the health of another.
Posted by: AnonymousOf course it should.
You are put on this planet without having a say in the matter. Randomness determines whether you are born with talents, your economic circumstances, whether your parents are nice loving people, etc. Some people get dealt a bad hand. They should be able to take their life if they don't want it, in a humane way.
Posted by: AnonymousIt's our choice.
No-one asked to be born, it seems reasonable enough that we should have the right to die. Even the notion that suicide is somehow 'selfish' irritates me; the choice to end their life must far outweight the benefits of them being alive. The world is overpopulated as it is, let people exercise a right to die.
Posted by: jesse.osadczukWhy Should I Care What Others Think?
That title sounds bad yes but many people say that committing suicide is immoral, evil, and stupid. Is it? What if that person feels they are a threat to others? What if someone really has had enough of life, whether or not they are mentally stable or unstable. You grow bored playing the same game, eating the same food, doing the same things. What if someone grows bored of life? Will you deny them their truest and easily accessible tool. Besides, some believe in an afterlife. To withhold someone of their own thoughts is to control those around you. Yes when committing suicide you should think of who you are harming and is it worth it, but sometimes, even after all of the drilling questions, you realize it is worth it. I shouldn't care what others will think of me, a coward? I would be dead, not longer worrying about the next terrible day.
Posted by: AnonymousIt's your life, your body, and nobody else's
Whether or not suicide is wrong, no person should have the right to dictate what you do with your body. No other person should ever be arrogant enough to think they can choose better than you whether your life is worth living. They can, and should feel a responsibility to, argue the point against you, but ultimately the decision is only yours to make. If someone truly cares, they will respect your decision. For most people, institutionalizing them for making an extremely hard decision is a huge insult, and a greater torture than living the life they wanted to escape.
Posted by: AnonymousI agree with everyone who supports it
Life is a pain for me. I'm in pain nearly every waking moment of my work day. I've changed work multiple times just to realize that nothing will make me happy, just miserable. I suffer from lots of disorders that I can't treat due to the fact that I'm poor. If anyone wants me to live, they should give me free money and lots of it. The government will give me some but how many people like paying a ton of taxes for people like me? There's no guaranteeing that I'll get better and I'm a selfish parasite to the society. I deserve to die.
Posted by: AnonymousFreewill is a GOD given inalienable right!
If a person is of sound mind. Intelligent enough to know their situation and sane enough to know how extreme their choice is, no one should stop them. If I was a rape victim. Trapped inside a house with someone who repeatedly violated and beat me, no one would think it odd if I wished to remove myself from such a situation. So why is it that when a persons' life becomes sad, painful an unbearable, the right to remove themselves from the situation is frowned upon. Besides, someone like me? All I have to look forward to is the minute chance that I've been "good" enough on Earth to see my family again.
Posted by: AnonymousIts a viable choice for many.
Everyone dies at some point, its fact. Some people who are just tired of the daily grind would like to skip all the BS in this world and get on to whatever comes next. There are a lot of non brainwashed people in this world who see it for what it as a waste of time and wish to move on to the inevitable. its not always a mental illness or some underlying pain behind the desire to commit such an act and it shouldn't be treated as such. From many perspectives belief in a religion could be considered a mental illness just as easily as suicide so it all looks more like personal opinion than anything factual. Do whatever you think is appropriate to live your life the way you like.
While doing so try to remember that that is something others will be trying to do as well and for some that will include when and how they decide to leave this world. No one should ever have the right or authority to infringe on another persons decisions when it comes to the final outcome of this life as it is not your life ! It belongs to someone else and interfering is nothing more than forcing someone into your beliefs and in effect trying to play God when you clearly are not ! There is nothing positive to be gained from this and it will only strengthen a persons resolve to resist your beliefs so do us all a favor and leave others to live their lives the way they feel inclined to do so.Posted by: AnonymousIt's Your Freakin' Body Yo!
This is the best supporting analogy I could think of; If you and your friend both individually own expensive vases, you can't go and smash his vase, that's illegal vandalism. However, you own your expensive vase, you can smash it if you want, as it is yours to destroy.
We were brought into this world without consent, and should consequently have the right, a legal human right, to end it.
The only things i see wrong with this is that you may get a bunch of pampered youths killing themselves because their daddy didn't get them what they wanted for christmas, or people ending their lives due to exam stress. Not to mention how birth rite conspiracy ties in with this, and whether it really is your life to end..Posted by: AnonymousThere is no more fundamental right than to do with your life what you want to do.
Of course all suicide laws are pointless and unenforceable, but all the same, they should be abolished for the principal of the thing. Anyone who claims to be "conservative" must concede that this is one of the areas where the government has been restricting personal choice. And liberals may disagree, citing the fact that suicide is a terrible thing that hurts many more people than just the one who lost his or her life. But as sad, ugly and horrendous as suicide may be, the choice to keep living or not must be one that I can make. Unless I am convicted of a murder and am trying to use suicide as a way out of my punishment. After committing a crime, I should not have the right to kill myself until I have served my penalty.
Posted by: AnonymousIt's my body
Everyone should have the right to end their own life. What gives anyone the right to tell us what we can or can't do with our body? If I am going to die of some horrible disease or Alzheimer's, why should I have stay alive and put my family through the agony of watching me die - horribly...or for that matter, why should I have to go through that agony?
Posted by: AnonymousWe deserve choice in all aspects of life.
If a person longs for death and that is the only foreseeable future in their eyes, then I feel that they should be given the right to choose whether to live or not. The real concern with this is the family and friends that may be left behind. Therefore, I believe that the only people that should have any influence over the matter are the family and friends, but first and foremost the person involved.
Posted by: AnonymousSuicide s not selfish
This is such a broad topic. You have those that have a terminal illness, those with mental illness, and those having gone through a traumatic experience. I speak only for myself. I am a strong believer in the right to die when I choose to do so, whether I have a terminal illness or not. Even if I were a healthy person who has decided that she has had a good life and simply does not want to live another xx years, I should be able to go without the worry of my family thinking they did something wrong or that I was not mentally stable. We have created the assumption that all people who commit suicide were not mentally stable and could have been stopped. That is true in many cases, but not all. We should all have the right to choose to die when we want to.
Posted by: AnonymousHumans should have the right to end their own life if they choose to do so.
People should be allowed to do what they wish with their bodies as long as they aren't infringing on the rights of others. People should be allowed to terminate their own life if they wish at any time for any reason. If someone is determined enough, suicide's illegality isn't going to stop them anyway.
Posted by: M0r3FireYes, but since this decision is irreversible and usually made during temporary crises, society should discourage it.
I wouldn't want to live in a society where one lacked the freedom to have the solitude and freedom of action that would allow one to commit suicide, if one really wanted to do so. But saying I don't want a state with authoritarian modes of surveillance doesn't mean I think the formal prohibition against suicide, and some specific strategies to prevent it are unwise. This is a decision that those who really want to make will find a way to make. A far larger number of people attempt suicide, or consider it. Most of these people can be helped through the problems that drive them in this direction, and they should receive the practical support and psychiatric treatment that would make suicide seem like a poor option. Terminally ill people are in a different category, with fewer options, and laws should recognize this difference. Yet even in those cases, they should remain cautious.
Posted by: M4I4cFeIinei'm in favor of that when someone life became sad, painful and unbearable for themselves
so i'm the favor of those people, who committed suicide, they are not bad people, the situation are bad and difficult ,and the people who became their life miserable, those who kill themselves are not bad people and situations are bad. so i agree with the point that suicide should have a legal human right.
Posted by: AnonymousWhat an incredibly shallow question.
Whether or not a depressed sod has the "right" to suicide, will not be a factor in doing so. We can only hope that they understand the consequences of what will happen afterwards (eg. loved ones mourning, blah blah blah), then again, if life is that unbearable then wouldn't it be selfish of those loved ones be the deciding factor of a suicidal persons mortality?
Posted by: Sl33p3rThe hypocritical US government screams that it is bankrupt yet still bans suicide!
Overpopulation and an increasingly aging public is bankrupting the USA. Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are crumbling yet I'm forbidden from a quick and painless death. Suicide should be legal and would financially save this nation. I've needed death from age 8. Treatment-resistant depression, crushing anxiety and chronic fatigue syndrome are destroying my mind and body. Torture is legal in the USA as long as suicide is unlawful. The hypocrisy of this nation's religious laws make me sicker than I already am.
Androidcatdog@gmail.ComPosted by: androidcatdogIt is those who find suicide selfish who are the selfish ones.
Why should someone who has a terminal illness and is in physical and mental agony be forced to live the last six months of their life like that. You would put a dog or a cat down if it was 'the kindest thing to do', so why not with a person? Just because they are more intelligent than a dog or a cat, which in some cases, is not even true, why is their life more important than a dog's life or a cat's life? Do you realize how wrong you are to say suicide is selfish. Yes, it affects friends and family, but if you really loved them, then you should be happy that they made their own choice, the choice that is right for them, not the choice that was right for you, me, or anyone else, but the choice that was right for them.
Posted by: ashdotIf it's done it needs to be done rationally
Economically manageable:
Assisted Suicide (AS) could be legalized in such a way that people would have to take their case to court (which they would pay for) and undergo an extensive period of observation before any action was taken. This in turn gives the person ample time to think of their suicide (minimum of 2 years is too long a time to want to commit suicide on just a whim) as well as injecting some money into our courts. On top of that AS's don't take a whole lot of education/time or resources to perform so it would be simple to have people trained for it. As long as the person dying was not leaving any debt behind for others I cannot see this having a negative effect on the economy, concidering the fact that a dead person means a free job and 1 more person worth of food available.
Religiously:
In the west I cannot think of any religions or societies that advocate suicide (this is not necessarily the case in the east); however, forcing your religious views on others,as I understand it, is a universally un-awesome thing to do.
Morally:
Typically something is considered immoral if it is harming an innocent person. For example, Stealing from the sheriff of Nottingham (See "Robin Hood") because the Sheriff is painted as a villain is often seen as praiseworthy. In the case of suicide the only person incurring any physical harm is the suicide-e and in the case of helium asphyxiation it's not painful. Which leaves question, is it death or pain that's immoral? I would argue death can be a mercy compared to pain.
Finally, before the topic of morality is closed we must discuss family and friends. Typically an advocate of suicide will say something along the lines of "My body is my own, I should be able to do what I want" to which I would reply, "when you have children or a spouse, who rely on you for support, your body is not entirely your own". This is the major area the court would have to be concerned because, assuming neither person has any outstanding debt, allowing a painless death to a crippled 20 year old who has no living family members, is much different then allowing a 45 year old with 4 children and stay at home spouse to die. If someone were to apply for assisted suicide while they had no-one relying on their support (I don't recall the official term) the process would obviously go much quicker than for a person applying for AS who did have living family members would maybe need to have them sign off as well? This area I'm unsure of.
In closing, if all parties effected by the suicide have agreed to it and no outside party is being negatively financially affected I, personally, cannot understand what is wrong with assisted suicide (whether the reason is chronic illness or lack of will to live).Posted by: RokiyuIt's my life, not yours.
I should not be forced to live a life that I don't want to live. No one should have the right to force me to do otherwise. No one chose to be born into a society in which everything is chosen for you. The right to suicide would be the ultimate freedom.
Posted by: AnonymousI support making suicide a legal human right because people should have the final say over their bodies.
I support making suicide a legal human right because I believe that each person should have dominion over their own body. If, as a person, I can choose to do drugs, pierce any part of my body, get a tattoo, etc. why can I not be the one who decides to kill my body?
Posted by: g0000gaI support an individuals ability to choose suicide because it is a personal choice that does not cause harm to other individuals.
Suicide or attempted suicide should not be considered a criminal matter. Rather, an individual should be afforded the right to choose whether they want to live or die. I believe counseling and assistance should be provided to those who attempt suicide and survive but there should be no legal intervention. Suicide causes no physical harm to other individuals and as such should be a protected right available to all individuals.
Posted by: VampireShuSuicide should be a right because people should have the freedom to choose.
I definitely think suicide should become a legal human right. We didn't have a choice in being brought into this world and I think we should have the choice to be out of it if we would like. This is especially important for those with terminal illnesses. I think they should have the choice to end their lives if they are in pain and their quality of life is not satisfactory.
Posted by: EIiasM4fi4Suicide is relief from unbearable pain
Do people ask someone : "do you want to be born ? Do you really want to come into this world ?" - before giving birth to them. No. Then why do you ask "do you want to die ?" Stop controlling others, let them do what they want. If they feel happy about death, let them be, let them go. Its their personal decision, not yours!
Posted by: AnonymousSuicide is a Right
One thing I hate about the "pro suiciders" is that they always mention "terminal illness".
My stance is that you should have the right to end your own life, humanely, whether or not you suffer from an illness.
Suicide is a right each human should have, even if they're not "terminally ill".
Nobody should have the right to take that away, period.Posted by: AnonymousI agree that suicide should be a legal human right, because everyone should be able to have control of their body.
When someone wants to die, they should be able to make that decision for themselves and for their body. Others might have issues with people committing suicide, but that is for that person to deal with on their own. People should not be able to impress their own moral or religious views on others to prevent them from ending their life.
Posted by: TMaciasSuicide can be a rational act
If you no longer wish to go on living, I don't have the right to require you to do so for my sake. While it is sad that not everyone is wanted in society, it is a reality. I have no business telling anyone what they should do with their life, unless they infringe upon my own rights.
Posted by: AnonymousRidiculous
The "cons" I am reading are ludicrous. "Join the Army," "incentive at slightest bit of problems," etc. No one decides to end life over "slight problems." And I am quite sure someone is gonna bring up the big one: religion. The Government's purpose is to work for us. Not to control us.
Posted by: GutiargalNo one should be forced to live a life they do not want.
Forcing a person live is selfish, especially when that person is suffering. Emotional, physical, mental, or other, only the person who is suffering knows his/her pain and should be allowed to end that pain as they see fit. If I am to commit suicide, there should be no legal consequences of doing so.
Posted by: AnonymousSuicide should be a legal human right with some restrictions.
I think that terminally ill patients should be legally allowed to commit suicide. The reason for this is that terminally ill patients could be in pain or incurring medical expenses that they don't want to burden their families with. Since anyone can choose to kill themselves I think that terminally ill people should be allowed to do this legally and painlessly.
Posted by: tadaoantonio
Why should we be allowed to end our own lives any more than we should be allowed to end the life of another?
Killing is killing, and murder is murder, whether self-inflicted, or done by another. While I do not think that murder and suicide are exactly the same thing, their end is the same. If anyone and everyone was legally able to kill themselves, then it would cause a lot of problems in personal lives and in society. The results would be much more detrimental than any supposed positive side to a "right" like this.
Posted by: MariaRSuicide should not become a legal human right, because it devalues the sanctity of life.
Societies that do not respect the sanctity of life will deteriorate in other ways as well. Suicide should not be legal, because making it legal will also open the door to many other ethical questions regarding life. It could possibly even lead to the practice of withholding medical treatment for those who desire it, if their lives are not considered to be of quality. That is not a question for the law to answer.
Posted by: OnfBIeakSuicide is morally wrong and should not be granted as a legal human right.
Suicide goes against the moral fiber of our country and as result should not be granted as a legal human right. It is morally wrong for one to take their own life even if it eases their suffering. Some regularly argue that people should be allowed to die with dignity. This will certainly stop the pain but will condemn the soul forever. Therefore the benefits in this instance are not outweighing the drawbacks.
Posted by: I3nnJanIllegality is merely a deterrent and a chance for those in a passing depression phase to reconsider their options.
Suicide should not be made legal because by doing so it would give many people an incentive to kill themselves at the slightest bit of problems e.g. relationship problems - which may be able to be resolved in future. There are people who faced suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives but were deterred by the inaccessibility to suicide tools and the societal conception that suicide is "selfish" (the presence of this conception prompts the person to think of his family, and if suicide is made legal and suicide tools easily accessible, I do not think that the person will hesitate long enough to think of the lasting impacts on his family members who actually care for him). And many of these people who were deterred due to the illegality and stigmatisation associated with suicide are able to walk out of the depression phase later on, and are even thankful that they did not commit suicide back then even though they might have felt at that point that suicide was the only way out. There are definitely people who are certain they can never walk out of it but they may be able to. Even if in the end they really cannot walk out of it, technically they can still commit suicide because as was mentioned, once you're dead you can't be punished. Even if suicide pills are not available over the counter, technically you could still kill yourself if you were set on it e.g. chop off your own head (not advocating this to anyone, please). So in the end, stigmatisation and illegality technically do not actually bar one who is 100% set on committing suicide from taking one's life, but it serves as a major deterrent for those contemplating suicide and gives them another chance to walk out of depression and live their lives anew.
Posted by: AnonymousSuicide shouldn't become a legal human right, because it goes against many religious beliefs, and it is also considered self-induced murder.
Death is supposed to be a natural way of life, no matter the circumstances. Inducing one's own death is murdering yourself, and it also goes against many religious beliefs. As a Christian, I feel that committing suicide is giving up on God and taking your life into your own hands. While I'm aware that there are various medical conditions that require comfort and morphine, as one is dying, physician-assisted suicide or self-induced suicide is morally wrong.
Posted by: ToyMattI do not believe that suicide should become a legal human right because many people wishing to commit this act are not in their right mind.
I do not believe that suicide should become a legal human right because it might change the way that police and paramedics treat suicide cases. Since so many suicidal people are afflicted by mental disorders, depression or drugs, they are not making a fully coherent choice when they attempt suicide. It would be terrible if paramedics simply allowed them to die.
Posted by: ToughEfrain26If people want to kill themselves they won't care if it is a right.
If an individual has decided that they want to commit suicide, they are going to make the attempt. Criminalizing suicide is pointless because it has no effect. Any possible repercussions arising from a suicide are going to be irrelevant to the person that is trying to kill themselves. They don't plan on being around for that anyways. If they do survive they don't need to be punished by the justice system. They need mental treatment. Suicide is already tragic. If someone has reached the point that they consider it an option then they won't care about the law.
Posted by: RanseYouhaveI do not think that suicide should become a legal human right, because I think that the government has far too much involvement in our everyday life, as it is, and suicide should not be condoned by anyone, especially the government.
I think that suicide will always exist. However, government-sanctioned suicide is just appalling. The government is involved in almost every aspect of human life, and it costs us not only our tax dollars, but takes away from issues in which the government should be involved.
Posted by: ClosedUlysses75No, would it make a big difference anyways?
In a society where human life is valued above all else, the taking of human life should not be permissible. Suicide exists, and probably always will. And, whether lawful or not, what can really be done to someone who commits suicide. They can't be punished here on Earth. Ultimately, the suicide is between that person and their maker. So, I see no reason for society to give anyone the go ahead to take their, or someone else's, life. I don't see who this would benefit - besides those who stand to make a profit off of the creation of whole "suicide" industry/market.
Posted by: MohaI0v35Not Entirely Sure
While I would not necessarily want someone to stop me, I would want the right to stop a loved one or friend. Hopefully I could reach out to them and help.
I would think that with love and kindness they would begin to feel hope for the future again. I would think that with time and support they would begin to heal. I would think that gentleness and compassion along with patience would help them feel joy again.
I think some of the reason that people advocate for and support death with dignity or support suicide is because it is a quick solution to their problems and they can appear noble while supporting the right to die. I think they find it requires no time, effort, compassion, or patience etc. To support death and suicide. They may find it far less taxing to advocate the person go quickly and not emotionally drain them etc. All the while it appears merciful.
Another thing to think about though , if you are not willing to show some kindness and care, as well as put for some time and long suffering, then please do not run the suicide victim down and condemn him as weak Since it is quite likely that he/she reached out for support and help and kindness and was met with cold indifference and apathetic disregard.Posted by: AnonymousNo, because murder is murder whether it's yourself or someone else.
People have many reasons for committing murder, but a moral and civilized society cannot accept excuses for such a serious act. Just because you choose to kill yourself and not another does not change the nature of the act. It should remain illegal to show the sanctity of human life and to encourage people to think twice before engaging in this last, hopeless act.
Posted by: NettN355Die well
Often depression is a phase, and with the right help, most people will find that their lives become bearable again, and continue to get better. If not, die doing something useful like joining the army/police force (not as deadly...) etc. If you think that you don't deserve to live, then ship yourself off to another country where nobody knows you and die trying to protect others etc. Plus, if you do commit suicide, even if it's not a right, what's anyone going to do about it. Making suicide a right is just encouraging people who don't necessarily have to die, especially teenagers who can ruin their lives in a second, because of hormones/bullying when all they need is to talk to someone, try to fix the problem and wait it out. (I know this doesn't apply to everyone, but think of the people who don't know how valuable they are, so destroy everything in a few minutes).
Posted by: AnonymousDisagreement with suggested
If suicide 'were' to be made a human right, it would defy mans gift of life. I do not deem suicide as selfish or morally wrong if an individuals existence is filled with torment they have an entitlement to do as they wish' however i cannot foresee a positive outcome to ratifying a suicide human right as people will view it as a promotion or enticement to commit to this act if they feel upset. In most circumstances a solution to the problem can be found as the feeling is in the majority of cases temporary.
Posted by: Anonymous