The soul has greater need of the ideal than the real for it is by the real that we exist, it is by the ideal that we live

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Just when I think people can't get any more stupid...

Have you ever stumbled across an item in the newspaper that you wished you hadn't? I know Truman Capote did.

But today, I accidentally ran across a story about a young boy who has apparently succumbed to cancer at the age of 12.

Now, I can only imagine how difficult this must be for parents to go through. The loss of a child means so many things to a parent, and I'm sure it's a pain they can never put away. But in this case it appears that religion (my favorite thing) has reared it's ugly little head and inserted itself in the natural process of this child's death.

The child has technically died. His brain has not only ceased to function it has actually begun to decay in his cranium.

But, the poor misguided parents think that as long as medical science can keep his lungs and heart pumping he's spiritually alive.

According to their religion, if his heart and lungs stop working, he is then in fact dead. What they don't seem to take into account is that his heart and lungs only work when artificially infused with drugs.

The hospital has informed them that not only is the child dead, but they've provided irrefutable evidence supporting this. The family's response was to go to court and get an order prohibiting the hospital from performing any more tests to prove the child is dead. Huh?

The hospital responded in kind by asking for a court order so they can turn the ventilator off.

So, I have to wonder, having witnessed this kind of stupidity many times in the past, what the fuck can they be thinking?

You want to know what a natural death for your child looks like? Take him off all the artificial means you've obviously forced the hospital to impose on this child's body and then let him go. If he were to be able to breathe on his own when not supported and was able to keep his heart going then I say care for him as long as that condition lasts.

But this! This is tantamount to holding him hostage to a life he's already departed!

I get the religious thing. I GET IT! But there comes a point that human intervention has negated it.

If this child cannot sustain a heartbeat nor respirations on his own HE'S DEAD!

I have to wonder if these people are willing to answer to their God for their selfishness in this matter?

I can only hope that whoever the poor hapless fool is that has to attend my demise is not selfish and heartless.