NationStates Jolt Archive

Recently I've been hearing a lot about the Shaivo case, much of it along the lines of "Terri did nothing to deserve to die." and things like that. I even saw a political cartoon where scot peterson is in death row next to Terri. I have to ask: why do so many people consider death to be a punishment?

Because people are afraid and confused about what comes next.

Recently I've been hearing a lot about the Shaivo case, much of it along the lines of "Terri did nothing to deserve to die." and things like that. I even saw a political cartoon where scot peterson is in death row next to Terri. I have to ask: why do so many people consider death to be a punishment?
I guess because they fear it so much, rather than embracing it as being part of life. This probably stems from a sense of dissatisfaction people have with their lives and what they have, or more to the point haven't been able to acheive. I don't know if this was the type of thing you were looking for or not though.

Those are some interesting points... I have to agree that it definitly has to do with their owns fears...

Another thing that seems odd to me is that the people who view death as a punishment seem to most often be religious people. This is odd because you would think that having a definite belief in an afterlife would make death seem to them as simply "Reaching the next level of existence."

I think that it all depends on whether or not you believe that there are things worse than death. If not, death is the worse thing that can happen. If so, than death isn't too bad.

Fearing death is only natural. The impulse to survive is among the strongest we can experience. To overcome that is to breach the very basis of evolution, and it is extremely difficult.

Very few people have the will to disregard their own life. Those who do are usually mentally ill, and suicidal. So it only makes sense that it be seen as the ultimate punishment, considering torture is immoral and illegal.

Another thing that seems odd to me is that the people who view death as a punishment seem to most often be religious people. This is odd because you would think that having a definite belief in an afterlife would make death seem to them as simply "Reaching the next level of existence."

It is quite strange isn't it. I can understand death being the ultimate punishment if you felt there was nothing after death. Really, what would be worse than nothing?

Perhaps for those of religious beliefs, death brings on what I could best describe as 'performance anxiety'. As death and facing your maker is really the culmination of your life and, depending on your religion ofcourse, it is often the point at which your life and you in your very essence gets judged. On top of that, how you are evaluated by your 'God' will determine how you spend eternity. Ofcourse, this is different for different religions but that;s my basic idea.

in my opinion most of the people who say that her death was some kind of punishment are doing so only to make it sound shocking and evil and bring support to their opinion.

Because people are afraid and confused about what comes next.

Yea, that's pretty much it.

People are afraid of what they don't know. Since no one has died and returned, no one knows what happens, where we go (if anywhere), etc.