I was very
interested to discover in a tv series that suicide is not illegal in
Germany and hasn't been since the 17th century. Coming
from and having in lived in countries where the illegality of taking
your own life is a foregone conclusion, I realised that notion had
always raised questions and resistance within me. Why is it not OK to
decide when you are done with life?
The episode in the
quick chasing, high octane series, dealt with a young woman who in
revenge for her younger brothers suicide after bullying by a group of
popular young people sets out to bully them into doing the same.
Because she only tells them that everyone will know their darkest
secret(s) and gives information e.g. how to make a noose or the best
ways to kill yourself, what she is doing cannot be seen as
threatening them and because suicide is legal the police cannot
prosecute her. The sub tone of the episode, which was of course
partly funded by an American production company was of course, that
the notion of suicide being legal is somehow wrong and irresponsible.
Obviously, I do not
agree. I think denying people the right to decide whether their life
is worth living is wrong. One of the main reasons of course is
because it is an OMG concept and I am diametrically opposed to
anything the monotheistic religions or the state advocate that
restrict personal freedom without the protection of other human
beings as the basis. I don't see how making an attempt to kill
yourself illegal protects other people.
I do hope that no
one is thinking but, it protects people from being emotionally hurt.
Because that would be a stupid reason for making a law and clearly an
idea that has no precedent or basis in any justice system currently
in existence.
I don't remember the
first time I felt that there was something seriously amiss with the
way that the world worked and operated. I know that it was during
some horrid event where it was clear that an adult was being
hideously unfair and that there was no one who would stick up for me.
and that being a child was on the one hand no protection and on the
other invalidated any of my efforts at self defence.
I do know that I
couldn't have been more than 5 when it became clear that most adults
were not only stupid and ignorant but also ignore ant, mean, selfish
and untrustworthy. This was confirmed by a wonderful nun called
sister Philomena, who remains a top example of the exception that can
prove a rule. I seem to remember that she was a different kind of nun
to the others – she had been in the world and then chosen to
retreat and dedicate her life to helping 'fallen women' and their
children.
To this day I
strongly feel that there is something (a foundation and framework
that is) life denying, oppressive, inhumane and generally destructive
in (the structures of) our society. It seems as if in total contrast
to the supposed messages of peace and love that abound we are
constantly being encouraged, directed, steered and pushed into
displaying and living by the most bestial of our traits and
abilities.
For this reason I
term myself a Liberationist, which means that I do not follow any
particular theoretical line of thought. Probably anarchism comes
closes to what I believe but as a practising Buddhist of deep faith I
think that Mahayana Buddhism and the theoretical groundings of
anarchism have pretty much the same aim and objective.
My goal is to
dismantle literally – un-clothe and take apart the systems and
thoughts of behaviour within individuals that keep them enslaved.
Most people seem to be enslaved to – materialism, self hatred, fear
of 'the other', belief and/or assumptions of superiority. Most of
these are rooted in the belief in a One Man God and adherence to the
rules the OMG proscribes.
I think that only
one of the ten commandments has any real value and stands up to a rigorous examination, that is the rule that from the moment it was
passed down has neither within or outside of the bounds of the nation
and/or laws of the Israelites has been adhered to – 'Though
shalt not kill'. An unequivocal, simple, humanistic law on which to
found, frame and shape a community/society.
Have you seen
pictures of 'priests' blessing the weapons (and pretty much anything else)?
How soon after Moses
came down with the tablets did the Israelites start killing? It has
continued unabated ever since. I think maybe it
will not end until there are enough people prepared to die rather
than do violence to another human being......
Am I one of them? I'm not sure. Are you?
