UI 027: A Discussion on Euthanasia, Suicide, and other Difficult End of Life Issues

This is another installment from my class, Torah Means Teacher.  We had been going through the ten commandments and over the last few weeks we had discussed the Sixth Commandment "Do NOT Murder."  This is third part of the class pertaining to murder.  But unlike the others, this one is much more of a discussion. We cover a lot of ground but we didn't often come up with great solutions.  Often, these scenarios are highly nuanced and require the expertise of a qualified rabbi, priest, minister, or someone of the like who is trained in this area of life/death to help us determine what is RIGHT.  With out a doubt, it can difficult and confusing for most people to determine what is the right, moral thing to do in these scenarios. Here are some of the questions and ideas discussed: Is euthanasia murder? Is suicide murder? Is assisted suicide murder? If someone has a DNR is that a form of suicide? If someone has a mental illness that "causes" him to kill another person, is he still deemed a murderer? To what extent, and in what situations are military or police permitted to kill, and when (if ever) does it become murder? How can we prevent murders?   If you have any thoughts, questions, or arguments you would like to contribute please do so below in the comment area.  Thank you