Hawaii’s Battle Against Doctor-Assisted Suicide

Dear Mr. Shea,

I liked your Corkscrew and the Art of Sloth commentary.

Did you know Hawaii might be the second state (after Oregon) to legalize doctor-assisted suicide? The legislature was only 2-3 votes shy of sanctioning it at the end of its last session, and of course now that they’ve reconvened, it’s back on the agenda. . . .I’ve written to my representatives to ask them not to vote for this anti-life legislation. Below is the introduction of my letter and the outrageous response I received from one of my legislators:

Dear Representative,

It is my fervent hope that you will not vote in favor of doctor-assisted suicide. I ask that you please read the Honolulu Advertiser’s commentary, Teach Options to Assisted Suicide Instead, by Herbert Hendin and Kathleen Foley. Please consider that compared to other states, Hawaii is woefully deficient in addressing and providing palliative care for the terminally ill and elderly. . . .”

The response I received from one legislator read:

“I am 84 years old. When I can no longer be of use to my community and a burden on my family, I wish to have doctor-assisted suicide. I will vote for the bill and hope it is available for me. . . .”

If there’s any way Catholic Exchange can lobby against the passage of this proposed legislation, terrific!

God bless,

Sue Felix

What About Gambling? Is it a Sin?

Dear Rev. Saunders:

I must disagree somewhat regarding your views on whether gambling is a sin. I am comfortable playing poker with my wife and kids for small change, nothing larger than a quarter. The game is just for a laugh and helps the family to bond. But spending even $20 on lottery tickets to me would be sinful because it does nothing for the family (unless I win, which is unlikely). I’m sure the St.Vincent dePaul Society could make much better use of the money.

As for priests going to the casino, I think that’s wrong. It may not be sinful for the individual priest, but those over whom he has spiritual influence might be scandalized—or at the very least confused—by the priest’s actions.

For me, Father, it’s a question of where I draw the line. To use another example, I watch movies that are G rated but not R rated. The former can be edifying, the latter could harm my soul.

Kevin McCarthy

Brampton, Ontario

***

Dear Catholic Exchange:

Hmm. . .“disposable” money. I just read the article you ran on gambling. I meet so many people who say, “What difference can I make. . .” Mother Teresa said it: “Help, one at a time.” I would hope CE encourages Catholics and believers of other faiths to take their so-called “disposable” money and use it help ADVANCE the kingdom of God—There, I said it, and now I feel better.

Sincerely yours,

Krista Arduini

Please note that all email submitted to Catholic Exchange or its authors (regarding articles published at CE) become the property of Catholic Exchange and may be published in this space. Published letters may be edited for length and clarity. Names and cities of letter writers may also be published. Email addresses of viewers will not normally be published.

Sacrificial Giving

Dear Catholic Exchange,

I just read the viewer comment on Sacrificial Giving, and I re-read the article. I think the viewer letter was way off base. I also think the viewer twisted a story about a crisis pregnancy with a good ending into a “politically correct” passage on adoption.

In this day and age, it seems to be hard to find married families with all the same biological children. I was happy to learn the family mentioned in the article survived our “me centered” society and did not fall prey to divorce. I have four children with three different hair colors. Strangers always ask me if they are from the same father; yes, happily, they are. My friend just had her 11th baby! People also often ask her, “Are they from the same father?” God bless her and her only husband! For those families with adopted children, may God bless you. We are all in God’s family. If you can be one united domestic family church, great, that is all that matters.

Keep up your great work.

S. Cook

Arizona

Is Despairing a Sin?

Dear Catholic Exchange,

I absolutely enjoy your website, particularly your little quizzes and polls. I do have a question, however, about one of your recent quizzes concerning “sins against hope.” According to your quiz, despair is not considered a sin against hope. I had a friend point out to me that Catholic Exchange claimed, “despair is not a sin!” Something did not appear right with that, so we pulled out the Catechism and found this:

The first commandment is also concerned with sins against hope, namely, despair and presumption: By despair, man ceases to hope for his personal salvation from God, for help in attaining it or for the forgiveness of his sins. Despair is contrary to God's goodness, to his justice-for the Lord is faithful to his promises-and to his mercy (no. 2091).

Depression, I know, is not a sin, so I wonder if that is what was meant.

Thanks for a wonderful website and orthodox teaching.

God Bless,

Joya Osle

Sinking Spring, PA

Dear Joya:

Mark Shea

Senior Content Editor

Catholic Exchange