FROM THE EDITORS April 25, 2005 Issue

TERRI, ASHLEY, AND LIFE'S LASTING PURPOSE

Millions Watched as Terri Schiavo's situation played out in the courts and the media—and wrestled with the moral and spiritual issues involved. Mrs. Schiavo, who passed away March 31, had been in what doctors described as a persistent vegetative state since 1990.

As wrenching as this slow-motion story was, especially for those close to Mrs. Schiavo, as well as for those passionately involved on either side of the debate, it also produced a needed and healthful culture-wide discussion. How could it be anything but healthful to dig into some of the bigger questions of human existence? Questions such as:

What actually constitutes life?

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