Life too precious to yield

In response to the article “The last word against cancer” (July 18), I would like to express both my sympathy to Mr. Treecraft for his ailment and my tremendous sadness for the irreparable and irrevocable action which he is about to take.

Are we owners of our own lives? Any man, woman or child who is both God-fearing and rational would answer no; we do not have absolute dominion over our own lives.

Life is our greatest good, is it not? Why take away that which is most precious, even if in living we suffer? What if everyone in similar circumstances took that action which Dan plans to take? Would they be justified on the same grounds he has given?

What of the love, courageous suffering has given? Has it not inspired great acts of charity and self-sacrifice? Did not our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ choose crucifixion so as to redeem our fallen nature and inspire us to embrace suffering rather than reject it?

The Fifth Commandment instructs us not to kill; surely one should never murder oneself lest he be liable unto severe and eternal judgment.

Kevin M. Strain

Spokane