Mercy Killing or Assisted Dying?

If you think that life is about living without having to experience pain or suffering, you certainly came to the wrong universe.

No matter how you put it, “mercy killing” or “assisted dying” is killing, period.

I understand and commend people that feel very strongly about “leaving the world with dignity”. However, one must first understand what “living with dignity” really means. Does it mean to be able to decide how much pain or suffering am I able to put up with? Does it mean someone else should be able to choose my destiny since I am unable (e.g., in a vegetative state) or unwilling to decide?

Whatever it may be, the main issue seems to be centered on “basic freedom”, “suffering,” and “mercy.”

I have seen far too many movies where they pretend to show this act of killing as “merciful” by quickly putting at end to the suffering. In fact, they are just showing the need to put an end to the “unpleasant experience” not only of the individual suffering but also of those who are observing and need to move on. Instead of slowly and calmly contemplating the emotions of true love and compassion that emerge by caring for the one in pain and suffering, if only by empathizing.

Suffering and pain, thus, have been gravely misunderstood.