Let me make it very clear...

If I am in a persistent vegitative state, I'd rather not be here, using up valuable resources that could be spent on people who have a shot at recovery. But I recognize that this is my personal opinion.

As one who holds medical powers of attorney for a few relatives, I've tried to make sure I have clear instructions about how decisions like the one that is tearing Florida apart should be made.

I have a great deal of sympathy for Terri Schiavo's parents and for her husband. They all think they are doing what is best for this one they love so much.

I DO NOT have sympathy for the coterie of politicos who have jumped aboard the "perserve life" bandwagon, converting a personal tragedy into a new federal law hastliy enacted and hastily signed by the President. The United States Justice Department has intervened in the case on behalf of the parents. The ludicrous justification is that "by supporting Mrs. Schiavo's parents' motion for a temporary restraining order, the United States is working to ensure that Mrs. Schiavo's parent's opportunity to be heard on behalf of their daughter is not lost irrevocably."

This same president has advocated, through his support of particular judges and policies, limiting the federal appeals of death penalty victims, arguing they have their day in court in the state appellate system....Mrs. Schiavo's parents have been heard over and over again by 20 different judges at the state court and US Supreme Court levels and they lost. The insanity of creating a new federal appeal in a case that just might impact abortion and right to life issues, while ignoring the incredible hypocracy of the Justice Department's position on death penalty appeals is stunning, though I suppose it should not be surprising.

I think we as a nation need to talk about preservation of life, and about quality of life, and about living wills, and the many issues this family tragedy raises. We need to inform ourselves so that each person may ensure that his or her wishes are clear and enforceable under the law, even the right to withdraw a feeding tube....something that happens hundreds of times a month in this country.

What we don't need to do is to make a mockery of Terri Schiavo's life by making her into a political pawn. Her sister speaks of "saving my sister's life." Hearing and honoring the pain that clearly resonates in that statement, I simply ask, for whom are we saving it? For her? If so, then according to clear testimony that has convinced every court so far, she would say, "No thanks." If it is for anyone else, Mrs. Schiavo ceases to be a person, and becomes a tool. Surely that would be wrong.

I'm sure some would say that as a pastor, as one who preaches a gospel of transformation and resurrection, how can I doubt that God can cure and restore Mrs. Schiavo...and how can I deny God that opportunity?
I suppose I can say only this... God can, and will, do what God wills regarding each and every one of us...and millions die every month of countless causes. To say that God wills that each life be preserved at all costs is to testify either to God's capriciousness, or God's powerlessness. I do not know the answer to the theological questions presented here...but I can say the absolitist one being proposed by many of the anti-abortion groups who have jumped on this bandwagon doesn't seem theologically sound to me.

I would never advocate a systematic intrusion of the courts into what does and does not constitute a life worth saving in situations like this one...I think the court's job is to determine that person's will, as best as it can be determined, and carry that out. It seems to me that this has been done and this new federal law and case are at best, bad policy, and at worst, naked politcal gamesmanship of the worst order taking advantage of a familiy's grief.