Terri Schiavo

[Catsmeow]

I think most Christians are appalled by this. We are called to excellence...to stand up for the weak and infirm; to protect the widow and the orphan...to defend the cause of the helpless and needy.

If we become complacent and disconnected from the cries of the innocent, will we not be held accountable?

Has not God called us to defend the cause of the weak? Has He not demanded we step up to the plate and do good?

If we become as complacent and uncaring as the rest of the world, what separates us from being like them?

Jesus said he came NOT to bring peace but a sword...We will be persecuted for standing up for righteousness. We will not have a nice, cozy life if we stand up for the cause of Christ.

Walking in righteousness does not mean accepting evil for the sake of "not stepping on anyone else's shoes".

If we don't defend the cause of the weak and needy, are we truly being the Body of Christ?

Christ has no body now but OURS. We are HIS hands, feet and eyes. We are the instrument by which He manifests His own life....through our life.

If Jesus defended the cause of the poor and disinfranchised, are we to do less?

Sorry, but Jesus didn't worry about offending Pharisees who accused him of stirring up trouble. He did what was right.

Doing what Jesus would do is far more important than worrying if I offend a "brother".

I'm far more committed to doing the will of the Father than stepping on toes and being politically incorrect.

The lines are being drawn. Face it....that's what the separation of sheep and goats ia ALL ABOUT.

[Orr v'emet]

I suppose I'm a goat for feeling the way that I do about this particular situation. You see, I'm one who is there with families when they make these very decisions for their loved ones. I'm one who is there with families who are watching their loved one's die because they would prefer not to see them suffer any longer. Does that make them murderers who are out for their loved one's life insurance policy? No. What I resent on this topic is that it is implied that people's who view point differs from the majority are labeled as insensitive "goats" who somehow have totally missed the mark on what it means to be a christian. Thanks cats. I respect most things you say and think you are a wonderful person but we sorely disagree here.

[Guest Thomas I believe]

I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.

[Catsmeow]

Friend,

I watched my biological mother (birth mother) die after a LONG battle of 11 months of watching her in a terminal condition.

I KNOW what it's like to see a family member die in front of my eyes. My birth mother had a Living Will. She did NOT have a feeding tube but I DID NOT deprive her of petroleum jelly on her dried lips; I did not deprive her of soft foods (jello and pudding) and water given by mouth.

I did everything to provide her with humane and loving comfort. She had a full body massage given. I perfumed her sheets. I tenderly administered food, water and pain medication until death.

I did NOT deprive her of humane and gentle treatment.

I wouldn't treat a DOG they way Terri is being treated. Sorry, but it comes right down to this...would YOU want to be treated like this? Really?

Her condition is so horrific that her own mother gets physically ill seeing her look like a living corpse.

The poor woman isn't even given petroleum jelly on her parched lips. Can you PLEASE tell me the justification for THIS?

Mr. Schiavo wasn't even going to allow her priest to administer Holy Communion until finally he caved into the parents demands.

Please, somebody explain the justification for this?

Tell me how a man who's an adulterer has the rights to a woman's life and the loving parents DON'T?

I really don't understand ANYONE justifying an adulterer with 2 kids from another woman having this kind of power. Seems he has a vested interest in Terri's death.

[Guest Romano7]

I'm far from USA...Ukraine. But I watch news...and as you brothers and sisters am waried of Terri's life. I pray for her and hope God blesses and helps her...

[Orr v'emet]

Cats we are not in the room with Ms. Shaivo. If the hospice agency is doing their job as they should then they are doing things like you did to keep her comfortable. Terri's parents are describing something terrible but the other side of the story is not. I don't know that Terri's parents would be able to describe anything pleasant. Their daughter is dying and it's hard to watch no matter what the situation. I watched my grandmother die so I'm not totally detatched from this situation. I would pray people are doing things that need to be done so that Ms. Shiavo is comfortable. If we are all honest with ourselves, none of us would want to live out our days as Terri has.

[Catsmeow]

It's an undisputed fact that Michael Schiavo has had numerous affairs (interviews with women who've provided affidavits of their relationships with him) and is presently living with a woman with whom he has 2 children.

I would say I'd be more likely to give credibility to the loving parents of this woman than a man who has a vested interest in other women.

Who do YOU think would have Terri's best interest in mind? Something to think about.

[Catsmeow]

For the record, if MY husband was suffering from a stroke and in this condition, my attention would be on him.

I would in NO way be permitted to sleep around with other men.

If this were a woman and the patient were her husband, she'd be labeled (properly so) as an adulteress.

Why is a man who sleeps around being excused for this behavior and still retaining the title, "husband"?

I thought GOD Himself defined marriage as ONE MAN and ONE WOMAN?

Have we forgotten this?

[dwinkjr]

It's an undisputed fact that Michael Schiavo has had numerous affairs (interviews with women who've provided affidavits of their relationships with him) and is presently living with a woman with whom he has 2 children.

I would say I'd be more likely to give credibility to the loving parents of this woman than a man who has a vested interest in other women.

Who do YOU think would have Terri's best interest in mind? Something to think about.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Amen sis, this is the biggest problem for me, the man is actually engaged to another woman, has 1 child and a 2nd on the way with this woman. If Terri was just physically disabled and of sound mind there is no doubt she would of divorced this man long ago. There is no reason he should still have any right to make decisions regarding Terri, he is an adulterer and is in "breech of contract" as far as the wedding vows are concerned.

If he actually showed the fruit of a concerned husband his word would carry alot more weight IMHO.

God Bless,

Dave

[traveller]

Ok - you guys can get mad at me if you wish, but I'm closing this thread.

We all have strong opinions on the Shiavo case. All of America does. However, we will not settle anything here.

Family, let's remember the family in prayer. Let's lift up Terri and ask for comfort. Let's ask for strengthening for her family. Lets ask for all involved to become stronger in the the word as they go through this trial. Let's ask for the hearts of all involved to become soft and pliant for the seeding of the word. Let's ask the Holy Spirit to draw all those that are non believers into the kingdom. Let's remember that we are family.

You know - a sister said that Teri became very animated when she heard the name of Jesus. We cannot know the comfort that HE has provided for her as she endures this. We do know that the martyrs that die for Christ are provided with a special strength, and I would think that Teri, with all the world watching, with all the eyes on her, with all the Christians in prayer, with all the lifting up of the name of Jesus through all of this, has been especially annointed through this time, by our loving and gracious Father.

May His will be done.