"Suicide was against the law. Johnny had wondered why. It meant that if you missed, or the gas ran out, or the rope broke, you could get locked up in prison to show you that life was really very jolly and thoroughly worth living."
Terry Pratchett
Terry Pratchett
2 comments:
I have never understood why suicide is illegal. Who is the law designed to help? And what of those who choose to die so that others may live? Are they not heroes? It seems that the law only really applies to those who die because they want to and where it does not help others. When someone is needed to die in a war, then death is noble. But, death is never really grand.
I have always wondered who the anti-suicide laws are designed to protect and serve and how they really do anything. I guess they may push those considering suicide to ensure that they have chosen a good method before attempting anything. Further, suicide is illegal, yet voluntary death for others is the badge of a hero. In the end, I think people should have a choice to die if they want it--a sad thing indeed. But it is perhaps less sad than being forced to live with a burden that's weight is so great that brings about a yearning for death. Free will means the freedom to do a great many things that should not be done. But I severely question to what extent it is the responsibility of the government to step in as moral judge and control what actions are and are not permitted.
Post a Comment