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Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat
it.
George Santayana (1863 - 1952) The Life of Reason (1905-1906), vol 1, Reason in Common Sense Recently, two important events occurred within days of one another that were on the minds of the country as well as the rest of the world; bearing witness to a part of history rarely seen. We, as a people, had the chance to experience, through the trials and tribulations of those who were in the spotlight, the difference between the quality of life and the sanctity of life, with the deaths of Terri Schiavo (March 31st) and Pope John Paul II (April 2nd). The meanings between the two deaths is nothing new to those who are students of history, for it was in the 1930s, during the rise of Adolph Hitler and Nazi Germany where the medical profession and philosophers alike termed the phrase quality of life to replace sanctity of life; the difference being where an individual’s worth would be in relation to their contribution to the State (quality of life), rather than how society as a whole determined a person’s worth through traditional moral, ethical and religious views (sanctity of life). This was known as rational utility. This way of new thinking was even publicized in a New York Times article on October 10, 1933 that headlined, Nazi Plan to Kill Incurables to End Pain; German Religious Groups Oppose Move. The plan was simple and logical, and so very humane and even ethical, propagated through the media of newspapers, books and films... To rid the nation of the mentally and terminally ill, the insane, the senile, epileptic and psychiatric patients, the handicapped, deaf, blind, and non-rehabilitated, and those who had been diseased or chronically ill for five years or more. These groups were known as useless expenses, because they were being cared for by the State, and had become tax burdens. Their quality of life had come to an end. It would be an act of mercy to liberate them through death (or euthanasia, as it was preferred to be called). Next on the list of mercy killings, were the elderly. Those people who were chronically ill and had no one to care for them and had become tremendous tax burdens, especially to young married couples who were just starting out. Who would miss them? Soon thereafter to be eliminated were the parasites of the State: the homeless, beggars, the poor, prisoners, inmates and other assorted criminals. They were takers, not givers. They were consider by the public to be below standards, and a burden to society. The liquidation in Germany, as Hitler grew in power, would include those unable to work, socially unproductive, as well as those living on welfare or government pensions, who drew financially from the State, yet gave nothing back. Eventually, the list grew to include political and religious enemies of the State (those who opposed the State’s views on all matters), and those considered defected by birth (as in the Jewish people). When World War II ended, these so called quality of life acts were considered war crimes by the Nuremberg judges, and the people of the world. Today, however with State sanctioned death as in the case of Terri Schiavo, the term quality of life takes on a new meaning known as acts of compassion. And during these trying times, people have asked, if Teri Schiavo’s parents publically stated that they wanted to care for their daughter, why would Terri’s husband oppose (especially since he’s been living with another women for 12 years and has two children by her)? Did he really have to cut them off at the final moments of her death by starvation and dehydration (which took 13 days...we treat our animals with more dignity)? Did he really have to have her cremated, which was opposed to the Catholic faith Terri was raised in (by law, Michael Schiavo must tell Terri’s parents where he plans to bury the ashes)? Was this really an act of compassion or a (family) war crime? On the other hand, we have the sanctity of life in the sickness and finally death of Pope John Paul II about 60 hours after Terri Schiavo’s quality of life ended. One life ended tragically by an earthly, fallible judge that was decided by the stroke of a pen, while the other life expired serenely by an eternal, Holy and Righteous Judge, with a wave of the hand and open arms. Jesus came to heal those less fortunate, not kill them. For those who came to Him with their sicknesses and ills that no mortal man could cure, He provided mercy healing, not mercy killing. And for those who lost all hope, He was the Eternal Fountain of Living Hope that they could drink from, feeling contented and at peace. He remains the Great Example to us all. Can there be a Holocaust in this country as it was not long ago in Nazi Germany? Some would say it began more than two decades ago with abortions. With Terri Schiavo’s death, the courts have made it quite clear what they intend to do with the weak and helpless if one doesn’t have their proper papers in order, expressing their wishes in detail (along with the proper State notarization, of course). We’re asking the wrong question. It’s not, should we terminate the life of a weak and incapacitated person that can no longer care for themselves; whose quality of life must now be looked upon by the taxpayer as well as the State? Rather, the real question should be, are we going to allow this great nation of ours to go by the way of what Germany used to be if we continue to justify our abominations? The day we lose sight of our moral obligations is the day we lose...period! Kevin |
QUALITY
CONTROL