“To be, or not to be; that is the question.”

From Jilji- Dying in the desert

 Oft quoted from Albert Camus:-

“The literal meaning of life is whatever you're doing that prevents you from killing yourself.”

How does this relate to the assisted dying debate?

There are three main issues that have been discussed and come to my mind.

1) Most people will have experienced that period of time, perhaps three to six months, where our loved ones have declined in health, and ceased to really be alive.  When the news eventually comes of their death, it is a painful relief, because we know it is the right thing.  Generally this is when people are old, and as I say “move into the zone” (in an age bracket where people are culturally expected to die.) 

When in this situation, it is generally the case that the loved one is not likely to be able to give informed consent about their wish to 'jump’.  Society already has many solutions, including strong pain killers, which act a grease to smooth the journey towards the inevitable.

For me, seeing the process of natural death was very comforting, though I am aware that my experiences have been blessed by excellent medical and hospice support.  The challenge for the point here is in defining ‘end of life’, what is considered 'normal' where the slope over the cliff becomes clearly visible.

2) There is much talk about the social context.  As with abortion, there is a risk in assisted dying that we 'short cutting' some of the big questions of inequality in our society.  The issue of choosing to die is so shocking that it may help us illuminate this area, for now, while it remains shocking.  There is a world of difference between dying surrounded by loving and devoted family, in a comfortable home with good quality care, and dying alone in a smelly bedsit, in misery.  Much of the discussion focuses on the personal “It’s my life, and I can die is I want to” sentiment.  “Give me the choice”.   We imagine ourselves with these future dilemmas before us and say well at least I will have the choice, even if I don’t use it.  But we also imagine ourselves as we are now, with our ‘powers’ and facilities intact.   

3) Then there is the issue of mental wellbeing, and this is what Camus is referring to.  Camus noted that the most important decision for us to be made each day, is to decide to live.  This needs to be a conscious decision.  Today I will live, with all that means.

As a Christian I also unite with people who have a relationship with the divine.  Life is a precious gift, to be cherished.  As we say, my life is not mine actually, but entrusted to me by God.  In the old days, and in countries with out the props of the health service, this issue is hardly relevant.  But like the stories of the dilemmas presented to aboriginal people in the Australian severe conditions of the outback, where people were forced to live, as related in the wonderful book called ‘Jilji’, sometime old age can be a matter of life and death.  Jilji describes the practice of deciding with an old or infirmed person, whether the survival of the whole community is at stake because of their chronic needs.  Together they decide to leave the infirm person under a tree, with water and food for a few days, but them move on as a community.  They return some weeks later to bury their loved ones body.  This is staring the realities of death and suffering straight in the face, and feeling the dagger enter the heart.  Our pontifications pale into insignificance compared with this.

Reference: Jilji- Life in the Great Sandy Desert (1990) by Pat Lowe with Jimmy Pike. Magabala Books