Author	Thread: "Pulling the plug"
Linnie41 View Profile History	"Pulling the plug" Posted : 11 Apr, 2009 08:27 AM Alright, I have a question and I didn't know where to put it, so it ended up here. Sorry if this doesn't quite fit this forum. My mom has terminal cancer. She has a living will, stating that she does not wish to be kept alive by artificial means. So, for example, if it ends up where she is on a feeding tube and is still able to make decisions regarding her care, that's fine. However, if she were to slip into a coma while the feeding tube is being used, she wants it disconnected. And she has made ME power of attorney to do so. My question: What does God think of this? Am I doing wrong by following my mom's wishes and basically letting her starve to death? Or am I to keep her alive at all costs? I'm just not sure how to handle this if (or when) it happens. Thanks for your help! Lynn Post Reply
Phoenyx View Profile History	"Pulling the plug" Posted : 11 Apr, 2009 04:04 PM I hope that I am not wrong for saying this. If I am, correct me, please. This is a difficult subject. You are supposed to honor your parents (Exo 20:12), but God frowns on suicide (1Co 6:19, 1Co 3:17) and those who allow sinful and illegal acts (Psa 50:18). The only way I know how to see it is a process. 1. God 2. Government 3. Parents or (if we are married) Spouse 4. Yourself God is sovereign over all (2Ch 20:6). He places up the governments (Gen 45:8). He tells us to honor our parents. He tells us to respect our spouses (Gen 3:16, Eph 5:28). Finally, He tells us that He has given us the ability to discern (1Ki 3:9). How are we to obey the Lord and still obey our government? The Lord says that He placed the power of the government into their hands (Acts 17:26), so their laws are lawful unto their people, even if it isn't to Christ. He gave them power over our flesh, but not the spirit, since no man has power over the latter (Mat 22:21). He appointed those men of the government over our parents and spouse, so they must also obey the government, as we should, second to God (Exo 18:21). The parents have secondary physical power, and we are to obey them after the Lord and government, unless we become married, in which case it is our spouse we must obey before the parents (Gen 2:24). If the only conflict is between God and your parent, note that we are to still honor the parent. To put it in simple terms, talk to her while she is still awake and pray to Christ. Plead with her without attempting to push her and let her know that you would be the honorable child, but that you do not like her wishes. Speak carefully of the Word to her, but, just as the same Word says, you must still obey her wishes, even if they do not change, and the Lord's command. It is an upsetting idea, my father struggled with it as well concerning my nanna, and I don't know if I could being in your place. I pray the Lord gives you and your family peace, and that He show you all of us what He wills. Post Reply
Phoenyx View Profile History	"Pulling the plug" Posted : 11 Apr, 2009 04:08 PM and that He show you *and* all of us what He wills. Sorry, no edit button. :/ Post Reply
Linnie41 View Profile History	"Pulling the plug" Posted : 11 Apr, 2009 04:18 PM I understand what you're saying, but is this considered suicide? If someone can't survive physically outside of artificial means, are we doing what God wants in keeping them alive, or are we hindering what God's plan is for them by keeping them alive? I know what happened with "Dr. Death" and all the assisted suicides, but what I'm talking about is legal. So, there would be no conflict with the government. And, although it wouldn't be easy to sign the paper to discontinue life support, I wouldn't hesitate in doing it, knowing it's what my mom wants (I wouldn't want my meeting with Jesus delayed like that either, when there is no longer any quality of life on earth). But is signing the paper okay with God? Will I be seen as guilty in His eyes of killing my own mother if I do so? Post Reply
Phoenyx View Profile History	"Pulling the plug" Posted : 11 Apr, 2009 04:54 PM I don't know if you would be guilty. I wouldn't think so. God has place your mother over you and you are to honor her by His commandment. Although it is suicide on her part, legal suicide that it is, you're being the obediant child. I can only pray for God to send blessings for you here, because you have brought up an excellent point and I do not know the answer with certainty. Post Reply
Linnie41 View Profile History	"Pulling the plug" Posted : 11 Apr, 2009 05:26 PM I didn't realize when I posted this how big of a question it really is - until I started thinking about it. Thanks for your comments! Post Reply
gracegrace View Profile History	"Pulling the plug" Posted : 12 Apr, 2009 01:44 PM Another consideration is, what about the person who actually removes the feeding tube? Are they also guilty? So, if it is wrong, and I'm not saying it is because I don't know the answer, are you actually sinning against not only your mother but also the medical assistant? Post Reply
Gibbons_Dance View Profile History	"Pulling the plug" Posted : 14 Apr, 2009 12:00 AM This is a monstrously difficult issue, but I think Phoenyx dealt with it well. I don't have any answers, only questions to think about. We have the technology to keep someone alive, but should we use it? Are there any parallels in the Bible? What about at the end of (I think) 1 Kings? King Saul's armor-bearer who, at Saul's request, killed the king - who already had a (fatal if memory serves) injury so the Philistines wouldn't be able to further hurt him? The Bible doesn't give any judgment as I recall, it just describes what happened. I pray God gives you the wisdom to know the best action to take, the courage to do so and peace about it all. GD Post Reply
View Profile History	"Pulling the plug" Posted : 17 Apr, 2009 01:05 PM i dont believe its suicide... if she is dieing, then its not suicide... the machine isnt even really what is keeping her alive. it would only be post poning it... if rejecting mans creation which makes us live longer is suicide, then we may all be commiting suicide... we could take this further... what if man found the technology to keep you alive for 100's of years? if you refused to use this technology is it suicide? turtles cant die of old age... scientists are studying this now, to see if this can some how benifit man... what happens if they do discover something which improves our life spand... if we dont take advantage of it, are we commiting suicide? actually i think there are a lot of health products out there they if we use or take can increase our life spand... are we commiting suicide by not taking them? is this machine going to save your moms life? if not its not suicide... the machine is only postponing it. if your mom feels that it is her time to go, dont stop her... she isnt killing herself so its not suicide. she is already dieing, and no machine will save her (at least not any that i can think of)... so it may very well that God is calling her to him... are smokers commiting suicide? are those people who dont eat healthy commiting suicide?(eating unhealthy can lead to a shorter life.) how far do we want to take this suicide thing? Post Reply
View Profile History	"Pulling the plug" Posted : 17 Apr, 2009 01:39 PM wait... hmmm i dont know... i suggest studying it... i am not a doctor so i dont know the exact situation she is in. i dont think someone should kill himself just cause he doesnt want to go through the physical pain... but, your mom is going to deal with the cancer untill it takes her life? hmmm then feed her untill the cancer takes her life... then she will be with God. because if she starves to death before the cancer takes her life, then i think it is suicide. i am sorry to hear about this... Post Reply
spri1458 View Profile History	"Pulling the plug" Posted : 17 Apr, 2009 05:03 PM I remember talking about this issue in philosopy class, and it is a tough one. A lot of different factors can be involved here, but I think Jeffro's answer is very good. I believe you would be keeping God's commandment by honoring your mother's request. I feel for you. My father has advanced cancer as well. Hang in there. Post Reply

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