To all Christians, Re - Terry Shiavo

I woke up this morning and saw the news in which Terry's death was still being discussed, and I suddenly felt an overwhelming sadness. It was not so much the sadness for her family, but for the appaling amount of Soul-searching and heartache this case has caused to you Catholics in particular; not just for you the Forum Members, but for all those for whom the removal of the feeding tube was a crime.

I have a painful ability of allways being able to see 'both sides of the coin', and I can only begin to imagine what effect this episode will have have had on you all, and all the hurt and feelings of impotency at having to see your beliefs 'pushed aside'. I feel there is nothing I can say to comfort you, except, if it helps, to let you know that I feel your pain.

Thank you, Michel.

I will echo Michel's kind and thoughtful comment. I don't think that this horrific situation affected any other religious group more than Christians, and I feel so badly about the chaos it's caused.

And yet most of the Christians involved willingly threw themselves into the fray. Talking personally I would respectfully suggest that they have reaped what they sowed.

Kiwimac

kiwimac said:

And yet most of the Christians involved willingly threw themselves into the fray. Talking personally I would respectfully suggest that they have reaped what they sowed.

Kiwimac

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The Christians who struggled and prayed for the life of Terri Schiavo did what was right.

What they sowed was a testimony to love and truth.

The sadness they feel now is not the ultimate harvest of their actions.

It is temporary, like this life.

"Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh" (Luke 6:21).

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more, for the former things are passed away" (Rev. 21:4).

Let us pray now for those responsible for the murder of Terri Schiavo, that they repent and turn from their sins before it is too late, and for those of like mind with them.

"Woe unto you that are filled: for you shall hunger. Woe to you that now laugh: for you shall mourn and weep" (Luke 6:25).

I am sympathetic to all those who have considered the 'what if I were in that situation' question.

I do not find soul-searching appalling, though. It might hurt sometimes, but we are the better for it.

Please don't be sympethetic for us, but for Terry Shiavo (no food or water for 13 days) and her family (who had to see this tradegy). Its true that we are very sad, but think about those who are close to her.

There was no murder, there was however the carrying out of Terri's wishes and the orders of the court. Murder is an "unlawful killing" as this was sanctioned by the courts, in accordance with legislation signed by GW Bush, it cannot be murder.

Whatever sins Mr Schiavo may be guilty of, therefore, murder is not one of them.

Kiwimac

From what I hear her husband was just carrying out her wishes. Supposedly she didn't want any of the tubes or anything. I feel that even tho she had pain in her last days she is in heaven with the Father now and that her soul is at peace. I feel the pain and loss of the other christians who like myself prayed for her. I knew there was no chance that she would get better and so my prayer was that her last days would be filled with joy and happiness. Apparently her last days were a battle and it breaks my heart to see that. I hope that she can look down from heaven and see that everyone here on earth is grieving for the loss of her life and that she may take comfort in the fact that her children will be well looked after and that they will never be alone.

I hope that all of the other christians know that I share in their sorrow and pain,

God Bless,

Alien Youth

Prima said:

I am sympathetic to all those who have considered the 'what if I were in that situation' question.

I do not find soul-searching appalling, though. It might hurt sometimes, but we are the better for it.

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The trouble is, Prima, that the 'What if....." thing doesn't necessarilly work when it actually happens. I have always thought that I would be a coward in the face of violence. I was in a room with three or four therapists and a group of eight of us patients; two of the men seemed to be getting on each other's nerves, and finally one 'laid in to the other one'. The therapists shouted "Out everyone !!" and they themselves made for the door.
In that instant, without thinking, I ran in between the two guys (who really meant business) with the flash thought "Once they realize they're not punching each other they'll stop."

Well, of course, they did'nt, but the two guys gave up anyway. What I did was stupid, but at least it gave me some some self-esteem.