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March 30, 2005
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Jeff Shepherd
Your Thoughts on Terri Schiavo
This Email is in response to the one I sent out yesterday entitled “My Thoughts on Terry Schiavo.” As you read this keep in mind that each person is responding to that Email and not to the comments from the previous responder. This illustrates that this issue is not divided along party lines or Pro-life Vs Pro-Choice lines. It’s not even divided along Christian vs Non-Christian lines. It may help us to realize that there are others who agree or disagree but we should all agree not to be disagreeable. -Jeff

From AnnMette:
Thanks, Jeff.  I was beginning to think something was wrong with me because I feel the same way.  Modern technology has come so far, that we can continue to keep hearts beating, lungs filling with air, and even nutrition through a tube.  Years ago, these patients would have died because we lacked that technology. I just couldn't see how that was God's will -vs- man intervening.  Take care, Ann

From bigbluecreek:
Your thoughts make more sense to me than any I have heard from the doctors, nurses, news media, senators, federal judges, state judges, Supreme Court judges, Governor Bush, and President Bush. Thanks for putting it in simple language for me and others to understand.
I look forward to your e-mails....keep them coming. Patsy Sims BHS class of 1963

From Birthdance:
No doubt some who read this will disagree with me.
You bet I do. Please see the prayer bulletin below. I will pray for you, too Jeff  because I believe you are deceived. Terri's situation is not the same as was your Dad's. My Mom died from cancer two years ago, and three days before she died we removed her feeding tube. But she was in the process of dying and could not digest the food. Terri was NOT in the process of dying and there are other doctors who recently think that she has not received the best medical care, rehabilitation or the proper diagnosis. Others who have cared for her have spoken to the media and said that she does try to communicate and does respond to her parents.
 
Michael Shaivo's judge will be the Lord, but his actions are evil. He is an adulterer and has broken his vows to Terri and should not be able to snuff her out because she is an inconvenience to his new life. He is not her husband anymore in the eyes of God because he has abandoned her for another woman. I believe you have bought the lie of eugenics, which is the thought that we should kill the useless eaters, the weak and feeble because they are of no use to society. This is really sickening.

This is the kind of reasoning I would expect from an unregenerate person, but it is really amazing that a Christian could take this point of view.
Kathryn in NC

From billsharon:
I totally agree with you on this matter.  Several years ago I had to make the same decision concerning my husband.  I was so reluctant to do so.  One of his sisters and I just would not hear of it.  He remained in a coma on life support for 6 weeks.  For those 6 weeks I could not bring myself to pray for "God's will to be done", but rather, prayed for him to live.  He had 6 sisters and his Father was still living.  5 of his sisters and Dad were praying for what ever would be God's will, but not one sister and I.  Finally, the family convinced us we should pray for God's will to be done.  So, all means of life support was removed, and he died 3 days later.  I finally was able to see that if God intended for him to live, then he would, if not then my husband would pass into God's hands.  It definitely was not easy for me to do, but now I can see it was the best thing.  My heart goes out to all parties involved in this terrible situation.  This should have never been allowed to  get the government involved.  This is a matter that should stay with the family only. I enjoy your e-mails.  Thank you so much. Sharon Nichols  

From carlos de lessup:
So, have you made out your will and directives?  I believe this has made
everyone look at their life decisions and try to live for Christ in a more
meaningful way.  We only have so many minutes in our life - make them count.
Have a blessed day, Jeff.  Thanks again, for all you do.  Carol

From: deborahromero:
Jeff,
But in this case Terry Schiavo is brain dead. I don’t think the Lord is going to teach her anything while she is in that condition. [Deb Romero] You are right there, but have you considered the other lives God may be teaching through this?   Especially when she did not leave a written directive and the man who is making decisions has been unfaithful?  Most unfaithful people lie. How can we believe that Terri would have wanted this without a written directive? When he chose to break his marriage vows, he should have lost guardianship...that is like having an ex-husband make a life/death decision.  

Any person who has been in a leadership position will know that it is very painful when people misjudge your motives. Sometimes it is hard enough to understand your own motivations but it is impossible to judge someone else’s. I refuse to do that to Michael Schiavo. [Deb Romero]  I don't doubt that for a minute...but I strongly believe that when he made that choice to add another woman into his life, he forfeited the privilege of being guardian over his wife.  God looks at that very seriously and I think we ought to too.  There is no judgment in this...he has openly admitted to this.  This woman, (Terri) deserves to be under the care of those who will be faithful to her.

As always, I appreciate your comments...even when we differ in our view on things. Deb Romero
From der_russ:
I agree with you completely on this (except the "Christ"ian parts, lol).  I admit I was surprised to see your logical and well-thought out reaction to the situation, given the makeup of the protestors (mostly fundamentalist "Christ"ians).

I'm sorry about your Father....I didn't know.

I now must ask you something, and you would seem to have a rather unique perspective on this: What is your take on the INCREDIBLE hypocrisy being shown by Tom Delay in this situation?

To wit:  Tom Delay, under fire for NUMEROUS ethics violations, and the ONLY congressman to have been officially reprimanded multiple times (4 so far) for ethics violations, has lead the charge against Michael Schiavo.  He has said publicly that he would "never do this kind of thing....even to a dog"; while conveniently forgetting that in 1988, after only a couple of months (2 or 3, I don't recall exactly) on life support, and with NO prior wishes expressed, turned off the life support of his own father. Your thoughts on the hypocrisy of Mr. Delay using the plight of Terry Schiavo to distract from his own trials/tribulations, railing against Michael Schiavo carrying out the wishes of his late wife.......when he did the same thing to his own Father, under MUCH more auspicious circumstances!?!?!??

A loaded question, I know......but not one without merit.

My Response to der_russ:
My convictions are not dictated by the Republican Party, pro-lifers, Baptists, Catholics or Evangelical Christians, Fox News Network, Bill O’Reilly or Shawn Hannity or any other group. My convictions are based upon my understanding of God’s Word. In this case I think it is time for the rest of us to back off and let this family decide what should be done with Terri. It’s their decision and should remain their decision. Whether we agree or not is not the issue. I firmly believe they are ALL trying to do the right thing. I encourage everyone to pray that the Lord will lead them to do the right thing and then trust Him to do that.  -Jeff

From gloy:
Thanks Bro. Sounds good for those who are agonizing over what their feelings are.  Gno

From llboyz4mom:
Jeff, Finally! Someone who is thinking along side of me. I have discussed this with many people and everyone seems to be concerned with which "side" to be on. I have enough to worry about in my own life. I don't need to ponder the motives of others unless it directly concerns me. As a wife, I cannot imagine having to live the life of this poor man and how painful letting one's spouse go in such a way must feel. As a mother, I can imagine the pain Terri's parents are feeling and have felt for the past 15 years. If you don't remember, my son has a progressive neuromuscular disease, which is terminal. One day his father and I will have to make this very decision. We do not look forward to it and we do not dwell on it. We thank God for every day he has allowed our son to bring love and joy into our lives. We will miss him, but we will also know that he is going to a much better place where he will be free to do all the things his time on earth would not allow him to do. My heart will ache until the day I am with him again, but the joy of knowing he will finally be able to play basketball, football, and hop on one foot is indescribable. I love my son more than words could ever express, but when it is time for him to go home and be with God, I will be holding him in my arms during his journey letting him know that we love him and he has nothing to worry about. I pray that all parties are able to find forgiveness, acceptance, and peace one day, the way my husband and I have. I'm really glad you voiced your opinion on this. Tracy

From JUDYEjhardy:
Jeff, Terry is not on life supports-- So, no decision has to be made on that subject but the part of not feeding her is not right--it is a horrible death to starve to death and it is not right--A living will would of been good to have -you know the starving thing is not new--we had a daughter whom we took care of for 33 yrs and when she was born (spina bifida and water on the brain) there were babies born like her that parents had given up and because the DR's told them there was no hope for them-so they put them in isolation  and  they do not touch them or feed them, well, most of them will live longer than expected --and it is sad that they do that or may still be doing it--Our daughter lived because God healed her and  after over 50- surgery's brought her through many surgery's--she at one time had  staff meningitis and  they wanted us to let her die--we said no -because it is not an incurable disease and so they did  do surgery on her-She  was never mentally disabled  and was very smart --God had a purpose for her-Our church is praying for a healing miracle for Terry so God will get the glory--God willing. You are right the family should of been able to  make decisions together but most of the time it does not happen that way-- I wondered why this was made public too but now I think God allowed it for a reason--When God heals her now or when she gets to heaven it will be his will not ours--I would not want that  decision on my hands --we all used to die without machines to keep us alive but I do not think we were starved to death--people may of not been able to physically eat because of their illness when dying but to actually starve a person because we do not want the   responsibility, or see that person suffer, or we want to get on with our lives, or who knows for what other reasons, its not up to us. I’m just saying that life support is different than starving a person. I think we treat our animals better than human life in this day. Judy

From lark4001:
I agree with you completely.  There is a better place for her.  Hopefully, it will come soon.
Since March 26, 2003

 

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