Thanks for your inputs.

I'll have to respond in greater detail later on
as I'm now about to leave to visit mum for the
day.

Again - Thank You.

Dear Paul,

Physicians are expected to do all they can to sustain
life. And the Medical Association is against
voluntary Euthanasia. However, as I understand from
my own experiences doctors and nurses are becoming
far more flexible these days in their treatment of
patients and palliative care. People are not longer
hooked up to machines as far as I know to keep them
alive. They usually allow nature to take its course
and try to make the patient as comfortable as possible.

I agree with you about trying to force religion onto
other people. Religion and belief is such a personal
matter. To believe or not is something we need to
choose for ourselves. I have no desire to convert
anybody. I have enough of a challenge following my
own journey in life. I certainly don't have all the
answers to the big questions in life. I'm still on my
own journey of discovery.

Dear Banjo Paterson,

Thank You for the link. Visiting my mother in the dementia
wing of her nursing home has been quite a learning
experience for me. And it's still very much ongoing. The
spirit of the human being can fill me with more joy than
anything in the world. More than, for example, any
possessions. That's some of the things I'm learning on
my journey - my spirit is uplifted by these encounters.
Yes, I have found certain situations confronting, and
upsetting, however, even from these I've learned a great deal.
People can surprise us at times.

.

Dear Foxy,

.

I am pleased to hear that your mother is in good hands and that you are now reassured that she will not suffer and be looked after as well as humanely possible.

All the best.

.

Dear Banjo Paterson,

Thank You for your kind words.

It has been a pleasure reading your posts.

Hi Foxy,

Over my lifetime I have given thought to the question whether religion has been a positive good, or not for mankind. Obviously my personal experience with religion, that being a Catholic upbringing in the 1960's has influenced my judgement to a certain degree, but not entirely. I have read extensively on the subject and that to has influenced my opinion.
Despite recognizing that religion, and religious people, have kicked a few goals from time to time for humanity and continue to do so, I can only come to the conclusion that the negativity of religion has been a far greater impost on mankind than any real benefits.

One thing that through reading of history I have learnt is that the Christian god is not of constant character, but is continually evolving and changing as man evolves and changes. At one time god was seen as a vengeful god, today god has evolved into a benign loving being. God seems to fit the ethos of man rather than his own strict character. This shows me god is created in the image of man and not the other way around.

Dear Paul,

I respect your opinion.

I'm also a Catholic - although I am not a very good
one. I don't go to church every Sunday. And I'm not
interested in converting anybody else. As for what
religion does that's been wrong and bad. I agree
much damage has been done in the name of religion.
However, so has much good by various dedicated people.
Does it balance out? I'm not sure. All I can do is
act according to what I feel is right for me. You
must do the same.