God, the Pope and Terri Schiavo
Allow me to rant.I have been wrestling with a lot of issues lately in the spiritual realm. I have been putting together a deeper understanding of what it means to have faith (and I'll share it one day) and I have been watching with great interest the coverage of the passing of Pope John Paul II and have occasionally watched with rising anger the final days of Terri Schiavo.
Before I get to Schiavo, let me say this about the Pope. He was a Man of God. His passion to see God's work done and His Name upheld has been a great example to me. There are ideological differences, but I had a great amount of respect for the man and his faith. Rest in Peace and God Bless you on your promotion to Glory.
Now, Schiavo.
I am so mad about this. This poor woman did NOTHING to warrant what happened to her, and while I am sure God had a plan here, I am furious at how things happened. Terri Schiavo was not a celebrity in her life and it was only the Jerry Springer-ization of her final weeks that moved the world to the door step of her hospice. There are, I'm sure, a number of people dying a slow death across North America today. There are, I'm sure, families wrestling with, and disagreeing over, the difficult question of whether or not to end their loved one's suffering. In all of these cases, CNN is not there, nor is Fox News or anybody else. Why? Because somehow, the husband who seemed to have the decision making power had gotten involved with another woman and had started a family with her. The parents wanted control back, yada, yada, yada. So the parents fight in court. Smelling an opportunity to exploit someone for ratings, here comes the TV. And of course right behind them we have the politicians and lawyers, who suddenly smell a photo op and microphones from behind which they can get a platform to make themselves visible and air their views. Then come the grandstanders like Jesse Jackson, who scream God's name for the TV's, but I wonder how loudly they scream it in private company.
What a load of hypocritical crap.
You know, I expect the coverage that is being given to the Pope. He chose to be a public figure and his passing has implications globally. I would never dare to speak for Terri Schiavo, but I can tell you this: If something like this had happened around my Dad during his final bout with cancer, he would have told everyone to get lost. Schiavo's family should have done the same thing. Instead, they turn everything over to lawyers and politicians, who see it as an opportunity to promote themselves. If for no other reason than to let their wife and daughter die with dignity, whether by choice or by God's hand.
To anyone involved with this mess, shame on you. Terri Schiavo, rest in peace. God knows you've sure earned it.
posted by Brian @ 11:28 PM
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