Unlimited media coverage of Florida brain-dead woman Terry Schiavo’s assisted death case and the frequent flashing of her eye-blinking videos on television screens over the last few days have touched every compassionate heart. The removal of her feeding tube to let her have a dignified death as ordered by the court as per her husband's request, now runs into the 8th day. The imagined picture of her dying, slowly of starvation and dehydration over a long stretch of up to 4 weeks, is surely painful and appears morally inhumane. Despite this agony and pain, it appears that the frantic effort of Terry’s parents and siblings to save her life, to which the social and religious conservative activists and politicians gave all-out support, is coming to a futile end. The storm and emotional burst created by this particular case, although appears going to fail save Schiavo’s life, has however generated heated debates that would continue for some time at personal and public level and would make us better prepared to deal with such cases in future.

I am not an ethicist, nor am I a social thinker. That does not allow me to make advice on such a huge issue of moral and ethical concern. Yet, we are all ethicists of our own self; we all follow a personal ethical guideline in leading our day-to-day life. So, in the following discussion, I will deliberate on my personal understanding of the case. This is, in no way, meant to offer a general guideline to others. As I said, this Terry Schiavo case is going to create a sustained debate at least at individual level about how to deal with such cases in future, I wish my current essay should act as a guideline to the concerned people if I were to end up in the condition of Terry Schiavo.

Before I get into my idea on what to do if I were reduced to Terry Schiavo’s condition, let me first poke my nose a little into the much advertised ethical and moral arguments that has created an extraordinary controversy and debate worldwide around the death of one literally meaningless life, whilst hundreds of valuable lives end every day around the world from preventable causes without a fuss.


Sanctity of Life: the Religious Factor

The religiously conservative social activists, politicians and the public, who have dug their toes firmly, in support of Terry Schiavo’s right to live on, have been playing the argument of sanctity of life as ordained by their alleged God as per the Ten Commandments of Old Testament: Thou shalt not kill [Exd 20:13]. Let us not get carried away by such dubious verses from Bible, which is also cluttered with other verses that advocates for utterly mass destruction of life and property in most cruel manner. I will cite a couple of such cruel and destructive verses from the Bible from dozens more:

* "And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of every city, we left none to remain." (Deuteronomy 2:34)

* "And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon king of Hesbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city. But all the cattle, and the spoil of the cities we took for a prey to ourselves." (Deuteronomy 3:6-7)

Comment: In these verses, the Biblical God commands for mindless slaughter of every living thing in the city – even a day-old suckling baby are not to be spared.

* "Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD. Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves." (Numbers 31:16-18)

Comment: In this verse, Moses, claiming to be speaking to God, commands murder of approximately 100,000 young males and, roughly, 68,000 helpless women.

Bible is littered with such Godly commands for utter mass destruction of life and property, where even suckling babies are not to be spared. Hence, it is thoroughly hypocritical, idiotic or ignorant for the religious conservatives to sing “God’s sanctity of life edict” card to save one disable life from a rather humane and compassionate death when the same God commanded killing of thousands of innocent people, including suckling babies, in the most inhumane and cruel manner. The more recent history of Christian Clergy-lead Europe is more cruel and gory than the ancient historical stories of Jewish cruelty described in the Bible. Let us not forget that the Church-lead Europe burned an estimated 9 million innocent women alive at the stakes by labeling them as “witches” as per the Biblical edict: "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. Whoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death. He that sacrificeth unto any god, save to the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed." [Exodus 22:18-20].

The modern Christians of toady, however, deny the atrocities and human suffering caused by the Clergy-based European rulers as alien to Christianity and quickly claim that Jesus was all about love, compassion and peace. Jesus, condemned to death by the Roman rulers, when he had 17 disciples only, dared preaching ample violence and warfare a sample of which is outlined below:

* Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace but a sword. [Matthew 10:34 (KJV)]

* Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip; and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. [Luke 22:36 (KJV)]

* And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. [Matthew. 24:6-7. (KJV)]

* Whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven him neither in this world nor in the world to come. [Mat 12:32]

These verses, spelt by Jesus, would surely justify the atrocities, committed by the Church-ruled Europe. Indeed, one can hardly imagine how Jesus would have conducted himself if he was able to grow powerful like Prophet Moses and Muhammad. Had he become ruler of a state, wasn't his nation going to rise with violent warfare against other nations as per Matt 24:6-7. Thus, the religious conservatives’ “sanctity of life as per God’s wish” should be taken with a grain of salt and invoking Biblical edicts to save lives should be trashed into the waste-bin, given the fact the same Bible has been the cause of utter destruction of life unmatched by any other causes in the history of mankind.


Guardianship of Terry Schiavo

In the present case, it appears that the court has recognized Michael Schiavo, husband of Terry, as her legal guardian and this factor may have got some weight in deciding Terry Schiavo’s fate. In fact, an overwhelming 85% of the Americans think that Terry Schiavo’s husband is her legal guardian and should decide her fate. The Christian conservatives, who are pitching for saving Schiavo’s life, are however saying that Schiavo’s parent should also have a say in determining her fate. This, indeed, is against Biblical doctrine which gives husbands the guardianship of a woman as per the following verses:

"But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." (I Corinthians 11:3)

"For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man." (I Corinthians 11:8-9)

Thus the Christian conservatives on the pro-life side have no religious verdict to overrule Terry Schiavo’s husband’s wish for a death of dignity by her parents’ and siblings’ pro-life wish. They should in fact come to her husband's support.

For social realities, however, we cannot ignore the right of parents and siblings on their married-off daughters and sisters respectively. In fact, a girl’s relationship with her parents and siblings is obviously stronger and more eternal than that with the husband. This is a fact which holds true in any cultural and societal context. In many countries of the West today, the relationship between husband and wife disintegrates like anything with majority of them falling apart. In most cases, relationship between husbands and wives ceases as soon as the divorce takes place although a normally irritating relationship continues when the couple happen to have children. However, the bond of a girl with her parents and siblings under no circumstances gets a beating. The superior strength of relationship of a girl with parents and siblings, as compared to that with her husband, become more evident in the poor and conservative countries, where a woman is normally dependent on male family members for her livelihood. There, once a marriage ends in divorce, the woman has to depend solely on her parents and siblings for their sustenance and parents and siblings almost always come in rescue of the forced women. This is not necessarily true in the developed world where an able divorced woman can support herself through work, state support or by alimony or share of the husband’s property.

Hence, the bond of a girl with her parents and siblings are definitely more sacrosanct and lasting than that with her husband. Hence, in a fair game, the wishes of parents and siblings should get greater weight on deciding a girl’s fate over her husband’s wishes when she is unable to make her own decision. But our social realities in this regard, often ordained by religious verdicts, has been the opposite, which is unfair and unjust, whereby husbands normally assume the absolute power over the fate of a woman. Thus, in determining the fate of Terry Schiavo, let us not give total consideration to the husband’s wishes – let us be ethically fair and give fair consideration to the wishes of her parents and siblings as well. It is time that we break with the unjust tradition of unfair male-dominated society, which has been due for way too long.


If I were in Terry Schiavo’s condition?

Terry Schiavo’s assisted death controversy and the unending media coverage have has given many around the world an opportunity to reflect on as to how their own cases should be handled if they were plunged into the condition of Terry Schiavo. It has not only given me that opportunity but I am also not wasting a minute to speculate my fate under such a situation. A stroke could be moments away and I wouldn’t be interested in creating an extravagant multi-million dollar controversy with my otherwise worthless fate as has happened with Terry Schiavo.

Purpose of life as per Religions: Whether I was created by a God or through the process of evolution, I have no way to know. However, the religionists claim that I was created by an intelligent design of an omnipotent and omniscient compassionate God with a purpose and if I did not carry out that purpose as per God’s prescription, I would be brutally punished in afterlife. But I feel that if I were created by a compassionate and all-sensible God, he should have asked me if I were interested to be created to take the journey of a human life through the difficult terrains and hard trials and tribulations of this earthly life. No, the supposedly all-sensible God, did not show any sense of responsibility to probe my interest to undertake the journey, neither did he make me aware of the purpose and value of my life. However, they claim that my Creator probably was choking for time to talk to me personally and instead he created someone like me of same flesh and blood (Moses, Jesus and Muhammad et al.) but more lovable to Him and selected them as His messengers to carry the message on the purpose and value of life to us. In this selection process also, God chose a very secretive and undemocratic means, like our worldly tyrants. Not only did our all-compassionate, all-just and all-sensible God chose His representatives undemocratically but also created rules and edicts like the typical earthly tyrants through which His representatives could enforce His prescribed authority on us. For example, Prophet Moses killed or ordered to kill tens of thousands of people including suckling babies with God’s wishes as per the Biblical accounts, whilst Prophet Muhammad indulged in numerous warfare to assert His authority which resulted in thousands of deaths. On the other hand, Prophet Jesus (or son of God or God himself), has also preached violence and warfare which inspired his followers to cause great human sufferings as discussed above.

Let us forget about the all-perfect God’s utter lack of sensibility in deciding to send to us to earth to live a purposeful and duty-bound life without without probing our interest. Let us forget his failure to brief us personally the purpose and value of our life. Let us also forget about His utterly tyrannical style of choosing his representatives for propagating the message on the purpose and value of life. Let us further forget the fact that his representatives were, almost invariably, tyrannical and violent, like any earthly tyrants. However, God finally seemed to have live to His alleged all-compassionate reputation when He says, “Life is Sacred” and hence, must not be destroyed [Christianity/Judaism: Thou shalt not kill Exd 20:13; Islam: Whoso saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind 5:32]. So, we have to be compassionate and loving and must not let Terry Schiavo die, who indeed is living a life of virtual death with continuous sufferings and pain for herself as well as for the families, friends and relatives. However, it becomes intriguing when the same all-compassionate God commands his Prophets and faithfuls to brutally kill innumerable number of people including the most innocents such as suckling babies as discussed above for Christian and Judaic religions. For Islam also, such cruel edicts are not rare. For example:

* Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Qur'an: [Al Quran 09:111]



* But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. [Al Quran 09:05]


* Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): "I am with you: give firmness to the Believers: I will instil terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them." [Al Quran 08:12] [Translations by YUSUFALI]

In this count also God fails miserably and appears very contradictory or controversial - He does not appear compassionate at all. Thus, our alleged all-perfect and most compassionate creator miserably fails to fulfill all the fundamental characteristics, if He were to create us to lead a purposeful and duty-bound life. So let us not turn to any known Gods and to the allegedly God-given Holy Books to find the purpose of our life.

Purpose of life – as I understand: If, we were created by an almighty and most intelligent entity like, God, there must have been a purpose behind our being created. However, it is evidently futile to look for the purpose and value of life in the so-called divine Books allegedly sent by Gods as discussed above. On the other hand, if we were created by the alternative means, that is via evolution, which is actually by accident, our life would not have any pre-ordained purpose. So, nonreligious people, who believe in evolution, can lead their life as they wish. Yet, most believers of evolution did not and do not live their life as they wish. Indeed, they have often lived highly moral and immensely valuable and contributory life for our world. For example, the overwhelming majority of the greatest of scientists, philosophers and thinkers today, who are immensely nourishing our world in all spheres, are no believers of known religions. For example, 93% of the members of US National Academy of Sciences, which is the melting-pot of world’s greatest scientists, are nonreligious. Yet, they live highly ethical, valuable and fruitful life – often more fruitful than the religious people. But the question remains, why?

The answer probably lies in the spirit of nature, which has endowed us with an ever-evolving mind that can think – both positively and negatively. And the positive trend has prevailed. Another innate instinct that probably drive us to live a valuable life is our tremendous fascination and love for this beautiful world which possibly inspire us towards making this world a better place. Thus, by the natural instinct, human beings – religious or not – tend to lead their life in a positive way more often than not. Of course, people have often tried to lead life as ordained in God’s prescription which has been the cause of great human misery and sufferings, instances of which are scattered all over the history of mankind. Even today, people in many parts of the world, especially in Islamic and Third World, often seek to find guidance to life in the God’s divine books and things go awry which is so clearly evident around us. Osama bin-Laden or the Taleban rulers of Afghanistan, who try to live by the edicts prescribed by the Islamic God in Koran, have evidently caused much suffering and destruction to human life and properties in recent years.

Given that, I myself choose to take no exception to living a purposeful and positive life. My idea of a purposeful and positive life is definitely grounded on the golden rule: threat other the way you would love to be treated by them. Of course, purpose of an ideal life doesn’t end there. An ideal life should also contribute to this world, positively so that the world can maintain her pace of progress and move forward. A dynamically progressive (not regressive or static) world has been the trend of time and every life should ideally make positive contribution so that this trend continues. At least, one should contribute as much as they take from our world to break even. A life that cannot contribute as much as it takes from the world is a life that pushes our world backward. That is a life of indignity, shame and ignominy. That is a life not worth living. And I, in my sane thought of mind, would not like living a life that contributes less than what it takes. A life, that contributes as much as it takes, is not an ideal life but that is not a life of disgrace either and I am willing to live my life at that level.

Most responsible people would like to live a positively contributory life on earth. Yet, there are people, who are mentally and physically handicap and are unable to contribute anything to our world other than consuming only, do not hurriedly choose to die. A good number of such people around the world choose to live a life of dependence and indignity than to die. They do not have any problem with living a life lacking in a purpose and value. Yet, there are some, who are able to contribute very positively to this world, often choose to die – the commit suicide. Human psychology is such an intriguing thing! However, this world is such a fascinating entity – it always tend to overwhelm people with the desire to live on than to die, whatsoever be the circumstances.

The fact remains that the physically and mentally disabled people live a life of dependence and indignity. Yet, they are willing to live such worthless life and human compassion has facilitated their living. This compassion for the worthless is again rooted in the human nature, not in God-given edicts. For example, the socialists secular nations of Western Europe, Canada and Australia, governed by non-theistic ideology, care much more for the disabled than the Clergy-based Europe used to do in the past. The more religious Muslims countries are neither more compassionate to the disabled and handicapped than the nonreligious socialist Governments of the West.

However, what should the concerned people do if I were to end up in the state of Terry Schiavo? The undeniable fact remains that that will be a life of constant dependence and indignity. I understand that if I were to live in a hospice for 30-40 years; that will be a great financial burden on my well-wishers. My requirement for round the clock attention and care would put immense strain on the life of the people around me. I know that my family, friends and well-wishers will probably be happy to take care of me, bare the burden and strain but my sane mind says it will be very unreasonable of me to let them bear so much of pain for a worthless life despite their willingness to do so. I also understand that in the way Terry Schiavo is being kept alive today, if I were to be kept alive like that for 20, 30 or 40 years, that will cost millions of dollars. That kind of money, if spent well, can surely save many young, able and fruitful lives from untimely death from preventable causes in some parts of the world. I do recognize that it will be immensely worthwhile if that money would be spent on such a valuable and noble cause, instead of, on me. Finally I realize that many respectful, able and young lives perish every day. There does not appear to have a tag of sanctity on those lives. For example, those hundreds of thousands that died in the recent Asian Tsunami – a cruel act, executed solely by God Himself, if He was to be almighty. God did not spare anyone, young or old, able or disable. So I do not put a tag of sanctity on my own life – it should be considered just a frail one like those perished in the Tsunami.

Thus, if I plunge into a situation like Terry Schiavo’s whereby I cannot tell other what to do with me, let qualified doctors to assess my chances to recover. If they identify my case as one in a million to recover, let me go. While making this appeal to my well-wishers, I seek to remind them that it is not only a case of worthless and ignominious life on my part but also a case of my personal suffering and pain every moment I live on in that kind of situation. I wish my near and dear ones would not let me go through this kind of pain and suffering for 20 or 30 years without any hope to come back to able life. I hope my dear ones would realize that their acts of avid love and compassion for someone may sometimes mean pain and suffering for the latter.


How I should be relieved of my pain?

The assisted or mercy death as prescribed in case of Terry Schiavo, which is starvation and dehydration to death, appears particularly unkind. Yet, it is more worthwhile to end someone’s suffering and pain in 2-4 weeks than in 10, 20, or 30 years. Yet, I believed that my assisted death under the same circumstances could be made more dignified and merciful than Terry Schiavo’s. Killing by starvation and dehydration does seem cruel and unethical in most traditional ethics. Why don’t let me go in my sleep or under anesthesia with an injection that will kill me instantly with least pain. That will also spare my near and dear ones of weeks of the tremendous mental pain and strain they would have to endure thinking that their dear one is being killed rather cruelly by starvation.