Paula J. Mangus
Grand Canyon University
NRS-437V
May 9, 2015
Interview Questions and Answers
1. What religious organization are you affiliated with?
I am an ordained minister with the Centers for Spiritual Living out of Colorado. I have the title of “Reverend” but use “Pastor” because I take care of the spiritual needs of other people, whatever that may be.
2. How long have you been a pastor?
11 years
3. How do you feel about Euthanasia?
I feel it is a person’s choice and it is different than suicide. It has to be well thought out and talked about with a team of people involved including physicians, psychologists, and family. I also think it is based more on the person’s quality of life and their decision or choice should be honored. It’s not the same as suicide caused by a mental illness. This is not a well thought out plan and does not occur with a team of people.
4. Do you feel it is right or wrong in the eyes of God?
I don’t feel it has anything to do with a deity and God is not a judgmental God who would cast someone away based on this decision.
5. Do you feel it is a person’s right to choose death over life?
Yes I do. I feel that many times people make this choice on a subconscious level. Think about the old married couple of 50 years and when one spouse dies, the other follows. I believe the mind is a powerful thing and people can will themselves to live or die.
6. Do you feel that family should have the right to choose if a patient is unable like in the Terri Schiavo case?
The problem I have with that case is that they starved her to death. I don’t feel you should purposely end someone’s life in this manner. If the husband didn’t want to be married to her, I am sure the court would have granted him a divorce and her parents could have taken custody of her. I just think it is wrong to starve someone to death.
7. How long do you think a family should wait to make the choice
References: Center for Spiritual Living. (2015). About Us. Retrieved from Center for Spiritual Living of Colarado Springs: http://cslcs.org/about-us/about-us-2/