More recently, however, there has been a completely opposite approach to controlling death -euthanasia. It is understandable for a victim of a fatal disease to think of bringing on his own death. After all, when continuing life will only bring greater suffering , what's the point in living ? This logic has been tested recently in the federal court system and the results undicate that " the right to die" is rapidly becoming an issue that must be addressed directly by religious communities. For example, a Washington state law banning doctor-assisted suicide was struck down, the reason being that prohibiting assisted suicide violates the constitutional rights of terminally ill, mentally competent patients who want to kill themselves with a doctor's prescription. The intention of such laws has been justified as a way of getting rid of suffering.