In the wake of the Tony Nicklinson verdict yesterday, the debate has reopened about the thorny issue of assisted suicide. www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... nicklinson Most commentators have said that they are enormously empathetic of Tony’s situation and that they would not wish his plight on their worst enemy. I agree with this wholeheartedly. But human life is sacred. It is a gift from God. It is not to be ended on a whim. That applies to babies in the womb, to prisoners on death row, and, sadly, to people like Tony Nicklinson. Tony faces a frightening and torturous life, but it is life nonetheless. I wish him well and I pray one day he gets to grips with his condition and enjoys the life God has given him. That may be scary for him, but the alternative is much more frightening. The reaction of most people I know, including those who have commented on Polly Toynbee’s article, is that life is something which can be weighed, measured and, if deemed unsatisfactory, curtailed. Earlier this week, the Mail reported about a Christian family who have lost a legal battle to keep their son on life-support equipment. The esteemed judge declared that the doctors knew best and that their decision was sovereign. Who put the doctors in charge? Or the judge? No one, I repeat no one, has the authority to take another human being’s life. It is so typical of mankind that we try to play God. I pray for Tony. I pray for the family of the Christian boy. But most of all, I pray for humanity and hope that we soon recognise that life is not something that can be flicked on and off as easily as a light switch.

In the wake of the Tony Nicklinson verdict yesterday, the debate has reopened about the thorny issue of assisted suicide. www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... nicklinson Most commentators have said that they are enormously empathetic of Tony’s situation and that they would not wish his plight on their worst enemy. I agree with this wholeheartedly. But human life is sacred. It is a gift from God. It is not to be ended on a whim. That applies to babies in the womb, to prisoners on death row, and, sadly, to people like Tony Nicklinson. Tony faces a frightening and torturous life, but it is life nonetheless. I wish him well and I pray one day he gets to grips with his condition and enjoys the life God has given him. That may be scary for him, but the alternative is much more frightening. The reaction of most people I know, including those who have commented on Polly Toynbee’s article, is that life is something which can be weighed, measured and, if deemed unsatisfactory, curtailed. Earlier this week, the Mail reported about a Christian family who have lost a legal battle to keep their son on life-support equipment. The esteemed judge declared that the doctors knew best and that their decision was sovereign. Who put the doctors in charge? Or the judge? No one, I repeat no one, has the authority to take another human being’s life. It is so typical of mankind that we try to play God. I pray for Tony. I pray for the family of the Christian boy. But most of all, I pray for humanity and hope that we soon recognise that life is not something that can be flicked on and off as easily as a light switch.

That's this thread fooked then.

All together now: "every sperm is sacred"

You should have the right to do what you want with your own body and with your own life. If you believe life is a gift from god then do not kill yourself, but don't you dare try and force your beliefs on to me.
The only reason we don't have that right in this country is because of the issues surrounding it such as elderly/ill people might feel like a burden and feel as though they should, the issues around mental capacity and the potential for abuse. It, thankfully, has nothing to do with religion.

I honestly don't know the answer to this, I can see it from both sides and understand the problems the courts and politicians have in deciding one way or another.

Is this not a human rights issue??? Surely human rights laws should work both ways. Tony Nicklinson wants to die, the court has decided that he will be forced to live and that in my opinion is allowing Tony Nicklinson 20+ more years of torture, pain and suffering against his will!

The state is apparently quite content if he decides to starve himself to death

It's a difficult one. Some people are in terrible situations and would rather be dead but are unable to end their own lives. Anyone who ended their life for them would have murdered them.

How would it work out if euthanasia was legalised? Would the killer (for want of a better word) just be able to say "They asked me to do it" and then not face legal ramifications? How would a contract be drawn up between the patient and the doctor to make it a legal procedure?

Quote ="kirkstaller"In the wake of the Tony Nicklinson verdict yesterday, the debate has reopened about the thorny issue of assisted suicide. www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... nicklinson Most commentators have said that they are enormously empathetic of Tony’s situation and that they would not wish his plight on their worst enemy. I agree with this wholeheartedly. But human life is sacred. It is a gift from God. It is not to be ended on a whim. That applies to babies in the womb, to prisoners on death row, and, sadly, to people like Tony Nicklinson. Tony faces a frightening and torturous life, but it is life nonetheless. I wish him well and I pray one day he gets to grips with his condition and enjoys the life God has given him. That may be scary for him, but the alternative is much more frightening. The reaction of most people I know, including those who have commented on Polly Toynbee’s article, is that life is something which can be weighed, measured and, if deemed unsatisfactory, curtailed. Earlier this week, the Mail reported about a Christian family who have lost a legal battle to keep their son on life-support equipment. The esteemed judge declared that the doctors knew best and that their decision was sovereign. Who put the doctors in charge? Or the judge? No one, I repeat no one, has the authority to take another human being’s life. It is so typical of mankind that we try to play God. I pray for Tony. I pray for the family of the Christian boy. But most of all, I pray for humanity and hope that we soon recognise that life is not something that can be flicked on and off as easily as a light switch.'" God isn’t real. For you to put your beliefs and your offence above a mans choice and his suffering is as heartless as it is stupid. I don’t pray, I think. Maybe if we did more of the latter, and less of the former we might actually, tangibly, help those who are suffering.

Quote ="kirkstaller"In the wake of the Tony Nicklinson verdict yesterday, the debate has reopened about the thorny issue of assisted suicide. www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... nicklinson Most commentators have said that they are enormously empathetic of Tony’s situation and that they would not wish his plight on their worst enemy. I agree with this wholeheartedly. But human life is sacred. It is a gift from God. It is not to be ended on a whim. That applies to babies in the womb, to prisoners on death row, and, sadly, to people like Tony Nicklinson. Tony faces a frightening and torturous life, but it is life nonetheless. I wish him well and I pray one day he gets to grips with his condition and enjoys the life God has given him. That may be scary for him, but the alternative is much more frightening. The reaction of most people I know, including those who have commented on Polly Toynbee’s article, is that life is something which can be weighed, measured and, if deemed unsatisfactory, curtailed. Earlier this week, the Mail reported about a Christian family who have lost a legal battle to keep their son on life-support equipment. The esteemed judge declared that the doctors knew best and that their decision was sovereign. Who put the doctors in charge? Or the judge? No one, I repeat no one, has the authority to take another human being’s life. It is so typical of mankind that we try to play God. I pray for Tony. I pray for the family of the Christian boy. But most of all, I pray for humanity and hope that we soon recognise that life is not something that can be flicked on and off as easily as a light switch.'" God isn’t real. For you to put your beliefs and your offence above a mans choice and his suffering is as heartless as it is stupid. I don’t pray, I think. Maybe if we did more of the latter, and less of the former we might actually, tangibly, help those who are suffering.

How do you reconcile your God's decision to give 99% of the population an ambulent sort of life, the sort of life that most of us enjoy, but to choose a few individuals to have a life that consists of you having a brain that works inside a shell that doesn't ?

What sort of humourless day was your God having when he decided to do that and for what purpose ?

Quote ="kirkstaller"In the wake of the Tony Nicklinson verdict yesterday, the debate has reopened about the thorny issue of assisted suicide. www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... nicklinson Most commentators have said that they are enormously empathetic of Tony’s situation and that they would not wish his plight on their worst enemy. I agree with this wholeheartedly. But human life is sacred. It is a gift from God. It is not to be ended on a whim. That applies to babies in the womb, to prisoners on death row, and, sadly, to people like Tony Nicklinson. Tony faces a frightening and torturous life, but it is life nonetheless. I wish him well and I pray one day he gets to grips with his condition and enjoys the life God has given him. That may be scary for him, but the alternative is much more frightening. The reaction of most people I know, including those who have commented on Polly Toynbee’s article, is that life is something which can be weighed, measured and, if deemed unsatisfactory, curtailed. Earlier this week, the Mail reported about a Christian family who have lost a legal battle to keep their son on life-support equipment. The esteemed judge declared that the doctors knew best and that their decision was sovereign. Who put the doctors in charge? Or the judge? No one, I repeat no one, has the authority to take another human being’s life. It is so typical of mankind that we try to play God. I pray for Tony. I pray for the family of the Christian boy. But most of all, I pray for humanity and hope that we soon recognise that life is not something that can be flicked on and off as easily as a light switch.'" The good news is at least the fairies at the bottom of your garden know you are nuts................

Quote ="kirkstaller"In the wake of the Tony Nicklinson verdict yesterday, the debate has reopened about the thorny issue of assisted suicide. www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... nicklinson Most commentators have said that they are enormously empathetic of Tony’s situation and that they would not wish his plight on their worst enemy. I agree with this wholeheartedly. But human life is sacred. It is a gift from God. It is not to be ended on a whim. That applies to babies in the womb, to prisoners on death row, and, sadly, to people like Tony Nicklinson. Tony faces a frightening and torturous life, but it is life nonetheless. I wish him well and I pray one day he gets to grips with his condition and enjoys the life God has given him. That may be scary for him, but the alternative is much more frightening. The reaction of most people I know, including those who have commented on Polly Toynbee’s article, is that life is something which can be weighed, measured and, if deemed unsatisfactory, curtailed. Earlier this week, the Mail reported about a Christian family who have lost a legal battle to keep their son on life-support equipment. The esteemed judge declared that the doctors knew best and that their decision was sovereign. Who put the doctors in charge? Or the judge? No one, I repeat no one, has the authority to take another human being’s life. It is so typical of mankind that we try to play God. I pray for Tony. I pray for the family of the Christian boy. But most of all, I pray for humanity and hope that we soon recognise that life is not something that can be flicked on and off as easily as a light switch.'" The good news is at least the fairies at the bottom of your garden know you are nuts................

I pray your internet connection fails and never comes back, lunatic.

So it was your Gods choice to end this lads life, but us humans playing God, keeping him alive is OK?

Works both ways you know...

Oh, and "Who put the doctors in charge? Or the judge?", that'll be God again i suspect.

Well, the Queen put the judge in charge, who is Defender of the Faith and was herself appointed by God.

So effectively, God put them in charge.

Quote ="kirkstaller"In the wake of the Tony Nicklinson verdict yesterday, the debate has reopened about the thorny issue of assisted suicide. www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... nicklinson Most commentators have said that they are enormously empathetic of Tony’s situation and that they would not wish his plight on their worst enemy. I agree with this wholeheartedly. But human life is sacred. It is a gift from God. It is not to be ended on a whim. That applies to babies in the womb, to prisoners on death row, and, sadly, to people like Tony Nicklinson. Tony faces a frightening and torturous life, but it is life nonetheless. I wish him well and I pray one day he gets to grips with his condition and enjoys the life God has given him. That may be scary for him, but the alternative is much more frightening. The reaction of most people I know, including those who have commented on Polly Toynbee’s article, is that life is something which can be weighed, measured and, if deemed unsatisfactory, curtailed. Earlier this week, the Mail reported about a Christian family who have lost a legal battle to keep their son on life-support equipment. The esteemed judge declared that the doctors knew best and that their decision was sovereign. Who put the doctors in charge? Or the judge? No one, I repeat no one, has the authority to take another human being’s life. It is so typical of mankind that we try to play God. I pray for Tony. I pray for the family of the Christian boy. But most of all, I pray for humanity and hope that we soon recognise that life is not something that can be flicked on and off as easily as a light switch.'" You really are a sucker for punishment here aren't you ?

Quote ="kirkstaller"In the wake of the Tony Nicklinson verdict yesterday, the debate has reopened about the thorny issue of assisted suicide. www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... nicklinson Most commentators have said that they are enormously empathetic of Tony’s situation and that they would not wish his plight on their worst enemy. I agree with this wholeheartedly. But human life is sacred. It is a gift from God. It is not to be ended on a whim. That applies to babies in the womb, to prisoners on death row, and, sadly, to people like Tony Nicklinson. Tony faces a frightening and torturous life, but it is life nonetheless. I wish him well and I pray one day he gets to grips with his condition and enjoys the life God has given him. That may be scary for him, but the alternative is much more frightening. The reaction of most people I know, including those who have commented on Polly Toynbee’s article, is that life is something which can be weighed, measured and, if deemed unsatisfactory, curtailed. Earlier this week, the Mail reported about a Christian family who have lost a legal battle to keep their son on life-support equipment. The esteemed judge declared that the doctors knew best and that their decision was sovereign. Who put the doctors in charge? Or the judge? No one, I repeat no one, has the authority to take another human being’s life. It is so typical of mankind that we try to play God. I pray for Tony. I pray for the family of the Christian boy. But most of all, I pray for humanity and hope that we soon recognise that life is not something that can be flicked on and off as easily as a light switch.'" You really are a sucker for punishment here aren't you ?

It seems God put them in charge. Also if you believe the above passage to be true, does that not mean that when the relevant authorities finally decide euthanasia is ok, you must agree?

Also, i find it is best to use preface personal opinions with phrases like: 'i believe that...' 'in my warped opinion...' 'according to the bible...' because continually portraying opinion as fact only makes you look like a fool who cannot distinguish between the two.

But it's HIS life!

The Government can't rule that I can't quit my job, or that I can't up sticks and move or choose to go home with that sleazy looking girl in the bar.

Until now, he has made every single choice in his life bar being born, and the Courts had nothing to do with that. Now he's saying he WANTS to do something with HIS life and HIS body and he's being told he can't, even though he's pursuing the correct paths and trying to do it legally.

And you can say all you want about GOD giving him his life, but it's HIS. HE can choose. God also vreated the Salem Witch Trials and Death by Execution in your book....was that correct?

Is this the face of a man who should be cherishing what 'God' gave him?



Bull! Yes, it opens a can of worms, but this is an important milestone. People commit suicide every day. He has not. He has said to the powers that be: "I am unhappy, and I wish to die". I think he deserves it more than Sylvia who thinks she's depressed because her boyfriend of six months dumped her.

It's just human self righteousness. We are happy to put down animals that are suffering as it is the 'humane' thing to do, but when it comes to assisting our own, it's against the law. One of the reasons Nicklinson (and others I would imagine) wants to die is to not be a burden to his family and loved ones. He himself would want legal clarification that whoever administers this wouldn't be done for it. It's hardly easing his or their burden if he dies thinking there's a chance they'll go to prison for it.

This man is trapped. Functioning the same as you and I, but trapped. What a horrid existence.

HE should be able to decide what he wants from life, just like he had been able to up until his stroke.

So he should be thankful for the life that God gave him? Sitting in a chair doing f*ck all.

If God is so wonderful and mighty and loves the World then why are the people that suffer always the good, honest, hard working people when scruffy scrounging scrotes are allowed to live happy as Larry with handouts and benefits? Why do people like Michael Carroll win the Lottery whilst some people, even Christians and believers, continue to struggle and work every hour of every day?

Why does God sit there and watch countless people he so called loves suffer from horrible horrible ilnesses like cancer without providing a cure?

I'll tell you why, because he isn't f*cking real. There is no God. There is no heaven. There is no after life. When you or I or any other person on the planet dies we will either be burnt to a crisp or stuck in the ground to rot.

Anyway, back on topic.

I think he should be allowed to die, but I can understand the position of the Government. If they grant his family permission to die then where does it end and how do you confirm that you want to die? What is to stop me killing my parents and claiming it was their wish? There'd never be an end to it.

It must be horrible for his family to see him like that and know there's nothing they can do and I'd truly hate to be in that position.

Again happy for him to be tortured. That is not a pleasant death (if there is such a thing).

Pretty simple really, put a number of safeguards in place to ensure it genuinely is the will of the patient.

Even the most severely disabled can usually communicate in some manner - even if it's just by moving their eyes. A number of tests carried out by doctors, psychiatrists, consultants, etc to determine the condition and will of the patient and ensure they aren't being coerced in any manner.

If the the right to die is to be permitted, it must be under strict control. I doubt there are thousands of families queuing up to bump off their loved ones but it's literally a matter of life or death.

I think kirkstaller gets off on this sort of thing with the responses he gets to his crackpot posts. He'd do quite well in the Bible belt of America.

On one thing we can all, even kirkstaller, agree, and that is that if there was a "god", then to do what he has done to this poor bloke, he would have to be the most unimaginable asshole, cruel and devoid of any human decency. What a wicked thing do, to leave a person like that.

If there was a god, and he could be prosecuted for doing this, then he would get a couple of decades at least for GBH and then a murder rap once the poor guy actually dies. It is comparable with knowingly giving someone AIDS via unprotected sex. Though of course "god" is cool with that too.

I don't see the problem. "Thin end of the wedge" critics completely overlook that the courts are well able, and indeed required, to make fundamental rulings on intent and capacity etc., in many spheres, and they should definitely be able to judge that this man is competent and rational to decide on his own fate. They overlook that it is he, and not (eg) relatives who seek the right for him to die.

If I was him, my next visit would be to court via disability discrimination. Anyone who is able bodied could end their own life, and the ruling blatantly discriminates against those who are too disabled to exercise this choice.

Well no

wasn't that pretty much the basis of this case already?

I believe they did as a secondary line run an Article 8 case, but the main argument centred on what "treatment" doctors are allowed to administer and whether they can give you drugs other than for palliative purposes the main purpose of which is to end your life. But the point is, the case was in the High Court, not the ECHR. Maybe that's where he will head?

More utter nonsense from the Ray Comfort wanna be.

If you don't believe suicide is right don't kill yourself.