"It is Wise to Always Err on the Side of Life"

Life or Death? Husband or Parents? God or Man? The Terri Schiavo case definitely carries with it many perplexing questions. I have to admit that, in cases similar to this one, I often don’t have a solid answer. Often, I battle between siding with what I think is “logical” (i.e. take her off the feeding tube -- she’s brain dead and expert physicians themselves have said there is no hope for her recovery) and what I believe through my Christian faith (i.e. leave her life in God’s hands). I’ve debated my feelings on the Schiavo case and I have tentatively decided that I am on the side of Schiavo’s parents (not that I need to take a side, yet I feel rather compelled).

President Bush made a beautiful comment the other night following his emergency signing of the bill allowing Shiavo’s parents permission to ask a federal judge to prolong her life by reinserting her feeding tube. He stated, “This is a complex case with serious issues, but in extraordinary circumstances like this, it is wise to always err on the side of life.” This is so true – for this particular case. One of Schiavo’s brothers, I read, indicated that Terri is making subtle facial expressions which are indicative of her still being “with it” to some extent. Furthermore, despite what doctors have said, Schiavo’s parents still believe there is hope for their daughter’s recovery. I say, “If in doubt about life, don’t throw it out.” So long as Terri Schiavo is unable to communicate her desires and so long as there are subtle facial expressions like her brother and other family members have seen, I don’t think there is any question that one should rule in favor of prolonging life. In a way, my feelings on this case tend to resemble my feelings about abortion. If there is any doubt [about life], don’t throw the life out.

Yes, Florida will not allow her husband the divorce he deserves, but that is by no means a better reason to end a life whose future is uncertain. People I’ve talked to have been angry that the government has gotten involved in this whole mess and I can understand where they are coming from – “let families deal with their own problems and government mind their own business” – but I, for some reason, believe it was necessary in the Schiavo case for the government to intervene as the third party. Life is nothing to be taken lightly. Even if the ruling in the Schiavo case will not extend to other cases, I believe it is a landmark event that has gotten a lot of people thinking.

One more thing before I end this, someone else told me “Schiavo’s parents must not really love their daughter if they’d allow her to go on like that.” This could be, but I beg to disagree. Love may be an easy thing to feel, but it can also be one of the most complicated feelings in the world, especially where life and death are concerned.