Friday, November 12, 2010

Refusing a treatment for cancer: Is it considered a suicide? Christians Only

Refusing a treatment for cancer: Is it considered a suicide? Christians Only?
My mom recently has been diagnosed with breast cancer. But she's been thinking that maybe this is a sign from God. She's 49 and I don't blame her for wanting to leave this world because she has been through so much. Is it considered a suicide if she declines the treatment? After all, God allowed it to happen.
Religion & Spirituality - 15 Answers
 


Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You could maybe call it passive suicide at a stretch. Seriously though she still has decades of potential life left in her, there is no logic in ending it needlessly.
2 :
No , I don't consider it suicide. Although there is really no need for refusing, she still has a lot of years left if she can fight this. but, as for the suicide thing, She is not killing herself, it is the cancer that is killing her.
3 :
No, its not suicide in fact it is the opposite..... 9 out of 10 chemo recipients die faster then those who do not take any at all... and the percentage of survivors of cancer are greater for those who have not taken the chemo then those who do..... God didn't do it ....SIN did !!
4 :
I really don't think it would be suicide, its not like she intentionally gave herself cancer. If she really believes its her time to go then so be it. and no I'm not a christian, sorry. your thing said only Christians but I answered anyways :/
5 :
This is what's wrong with religion. Drain followers of hope, so when they are faced with a challenge and can't fall back on religion, they feel helpless. I hope for the best for your family.
6 :
Have her read over this website and get really involved in building the New Jerusalem Kingdom of God and see if the cancer disappears.
7 :
No I don't believe so.
8 :
No, it's just a choice. I'm sorry your mother is so ill.
9 :
Because this is an open forum and you don't make the rules, I'm going to answer even though I'm not Christian. No, it's not suicide to refuse treatment. If the doctor says that even with treatment the possibility of survival is low, the patient may choose to not take it out of selflessness: it will certainly get expensive. However, if your mother think it's god, then... she's certainly bonkers. She should take the treatment. If she lives longer, "it was meant for her to live." If she dies, same deal. Many people who get cancer survive it for a long time. It's ridiculous, also, to think that this god would create all these diseases. If I was a theist, I'd say diseases were Satan's work.
10 :
"God allowed it to happen" is not a reason for making any such decision. If God allows you to be hit by a car, does that mean you shouldn't seek medical help? Refusing routine medical care that would heal you and allow you to continue living a normal life - in other words choosing to die when you could easily choose to live just because you have "been through a lot" - is not in line with Christian faith. However, refusing extreme measures especially when there is little chance of a cure, and thereby dying an inevitable natural death, can be morally sound. It's a decision that only the ill person can make. However, in either case it would not be seen as suicide.
11 :
This is more of a medical question rather than spiritual. What are the chances of cure? Is it greater than 50-50? Can your mother withstand the physical pain associated with chemotherapy? Having said that, I think your mother has a right to decide what should be done with her body irregardless of her religious beliefs.
12 :
Providing there's no eveidence of coercion or mental incapacity, everyone should have the right to refuse medical treatment. Palliative care is as valid as therapeutic treatment.
13 :
No. There is no guarantee she would recover even with treatment. She has the right to decide what to do. I pray that God will be with her, and you too.
14 :
she should just pray about it and ask god to lead her to the right thing to do. because either way, god controls if the treatment will work or not. if god wants her to stay alive, he'll make it happen, and if he doesnt, then she'll go. its up to god in the end anyway.
15 :
I don't believe it is suicide at all. I believe it was Paul that said don't look down on someone who eats meat and you don't and vice versa if you eat certain meats, don't look down on those don't. Back then, there were those people who sacrificed meat to false gods that was never eaten and then the meat would be sold in the market. The problem with that is those who knew these were false god were upset at those who ate the meat. While others who also knew they were false gos bought the meat because it wasn't a true sacrifice. Who was wrong? neither. If you feel it is wrong in your heart and you do it...it is a sin. But don't look down on others because they aren't necessarily wrong. Basically, God will convict your heart of right and wrong. Not everything is black and white and God tells us to never judge. Pray for your mother and know that God IS in control and He loves you and your mom very much. Find peace knowing it may be God's will for her to be in Heaven soon. Don't forget to pray fervently to Him and He will walk you through it all



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