Introduction

Introduction

Beliefs have consequences. What we believe about life and death has enormous ramifications for our daily lives. As individuals, cultures, nations, individuals, our beliefs regarding the subject of suicide, assisted suicide, and mercy killing are critical. While ate times these are three vastly different issues with different demographics and divergent concerns, they all deal with the voluntary taking of human life. They all address pressing needs, such as the relief of suffering and pain. But they all are the wrong response to those needs.

Suicide, assisted suicide and mercy killing are shortcut attempts to address legitimate concerns. They are, however, better responses to the concerns of the suicidal, of those desiring assisted suicide, and of individuals and societies who must care for them.