I've just watched the Louis Theroux doc 'LA Stories - The Edge of Life'. If ever there was a programme to push the idea of an individuals right to assisted passing....that truly was it. Compelling, harrowing and emotional viewing. We'll recommended.
This is another take on it that I can empathise with, a very sad story... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...hanasia-clinic-disillusioned-modern-life.html
This is the story I was referring to in my post kicking off this part of the discussion Sooper. Re-reading, it does seem to me that physical frailty as well as tiredness of modern life had a big part to play in this decision, which I can only respect hugely. The ability for people to choose a dignified end to their lives is actually a more important issue to me than the death penalty. If we could have a decent approach to this (not just the 'only if you are terminally ill with less than six months to live' option to be voted on in Parliament) only in exchange for re introducing the death penalty, I'd go for it. An unlikely scenario admittedly. I should stress that as long as I have a proper sense of my own identity, a decent chunk of memory, and the ability to read and concentrate on a book (i.e. not in too much pain), I intend to push for immortality.
I have to say I sometimes despair of the way society is going and, reading that, it was easy to see why someone who has ideals and values that are of a bygone era and doesn't want to have an undignified end should choose their own way out, you have to admire that. As I mentioned earlier on this thread seeing my parents last years and the awful 'care' they received in Mayday Hospital my thoughts of my own situation when that time comes fills me with dread. Like you Stan, as long as I'm compos mentis and reasonably pain-free I'll soldier on...
BBC2. Was on a couple of weeks ago but only just got to see it on sky+. A real emotional roller coaster of a programme. Suffice to say, I shed a few tears. Louis does make truly amazing documentaries.
Speaking of moral dilemmas, what do you make of HM Queen Elizabeth II having Machine Gun Martin as a guest of honour at her State Banquet in Windsor Castle later this week?
If it helps the peace process great. And that's from someone who was caught in the litter bin bombing at the Ideal Home Exhibition at Earl's Court in 1976, thankfully not too close, but close enough to see a lot of blood and panic and be shaking for a week after. I wouldn't presume to speak on any one else's behalf though. If things go well may be a generation or two yet before its truly done with. Post Script: Just heard some interviews on Radio 4 about the suggestion of an amnesty/close all cases from the "Troubles" - Republican, Unionist, police/military. I think 2 generations may be optimistic. And frankly, if one of my family had been killed by any of these groups as an innocent bystander or solely because they came from a particular community, and the perpetrators had not been brought to justice, I wouldn't take kindly to being told to let it go by some politician. As a wise Northern Irishman said, its time to end segregated schooling there - still only 7% in integrated schools.
Going back to the death penalty, Lee rigbys killers both wanted to die and both are appealing against their sentences because they cannot face the thought of so long in prison, In this case, life in prison is worse than death for them.
Yep, they seem to struggle with the concept that the virgins will still be there for them for eternity, they need eternity to start now (Perhaps they don't understand how long eternity actually is)Unless of course dying old and forgotten after 60 years in prison disqualifies them from martyrdom. I understand that suicide is a major sin under Islam, so that option is ruled out too (unless they can find a way to kill a bunch of infidels at the same time, in which case they are apparently martyrs).
I would have no problem giving the murderers of Gunner Rigby the execution that they wish for; so what if they crave martyrdom? I've never understood this 'virgins in paradise' malarkey. You hear how that these fundamentalist-extremist types harbour a hatred towards Western decadence, often damning our drunken, debauched ways, and yet what they appear to strive for through martyrdom is the self same thing. I don't get it. To yer average infidel like moi it might appear...well, you know...contradictory.
I'd like to keep them alive, hopefully someone hacks off their genitals and makes them live like that.
Christ on a bike, Flyer! That's even worse! Are you seriously advocating a penal system where you abrogate responsibility to the inmates to mete out the justice? And I thought I was the bloodthirsty one.
It is only for Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala to decide who is a martyr. Martyrdom can also be through illness as outlined in the following link: http://sunnah.org/wordpress/2011/01/09/classifications-of-martyrs/
