rivka | (no subject)

I'm going to be preaching at my church on July 11. In fact, with the help of a Worship Associate (who presumably will know what he or she is doing, one hopes - because I don't), I'll be doing the whole service.

I kind of can't believe I got myself into this.

The title of my sermon is "Life Or Death Situations." I'm going to talk about my experiences working with people who are terminally ill and and people who are suicidal. The scary part, for me, is that I am going to talk about why assisted suicide is problematic and why I believe that endorsement of assisted suicide is contrary to UU religious values. I don't think that will be a popular opinion in my church.

I met with our minister yesterday to talk about it. He is very encouraging, and has promised me any support I need. But it's still going to come down to me writing a sermon and then standing up to deliver it, in front of a whole bunch of people who probably don't want to hear what I have to say.

I know there are several ministers and lay religious leaders who read my LJ; any advice you have would be incredibly helpful.

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Having dealt with the whole pallative care thing - though not necessarily assisted suicide, I'm a big one on preventing cascading medical interventions that keep people alive artifically. Death with dignity. I know something I have held onto very very hard in the last year about my Dad's death was that he died with his dignity intact, no machines, no interventions in a peaceful relaxed environment with just drugs to help his pain levels. I know he would have never ever considered suicide, but wanted peace.
I think you need to highlight that this is "YOUR OPINION" - its not something the UU has to take on board, but its how you, as a person and researcher look at things. I think the wonderful thing about UU is that everyones opinion is valued and accepted.

I believe that people have an absolute right to refuse treatment, including (at the end of life) assisted nutrition and hydration. I agree that the cascade of medical interventions can be horrific. It makes me sad when people (not you, but other people) present the alternatives as "if assisted suicide isn't allowed, then people will be pumped full of toxic, futile treatments and kept away from their loved ones in the ICU. In horrific pain."

I also have had family members who died peacefully at home, surrounded by their loved ones. I'm not saying that isn't hard, because clearly it is. But it feels much more humane.