Euthanasia - developing a Christian perspective

2. Euthanasia -developing a Christian perspective

3. Euthanasiais known by many other names: • assisted dying • medically assisted dying • death with dignity • mercy killing • assisted suicide ….granting a person’s request to intentionally end their life, under controlled conditions.

4. Meaning of person who is eligible for assisted dying In this Act, person who is eligible for assisted dying means a person who - (a) is aged 18 years or over; and (b) is- (i) a person who has New Zealand citizenship…; or (ii) a permanent resident…; and (c) suffers from- (i) a terminal illness that is likely to end his or her life within 6 months; or (ii) a grievous and irremediable medical condition (both confirmed by two doctors); and (d) is in an advanced state of irreversible decline in capability; and (e) experiences unbearable suffering that cannot be relieved in a manner that he or she considers tolerable; and (f) has the ability to understand- (i) the nature of assisted dying; and (ii) the consequences for him or her of assisted dying. …and would receive a lethal dose of medication, either self-administered or administered by the doctor, with a doctor present throughout.

5. 1. Why is there support for euthanasia? 2. What are the concerns about legalising euthanasia? 3. What is a Christian view? How does the Bible guide us? 4. What might we Christians want to say society?

6. 1. Why is there support for euthanasia? “The numbers involved [with assisted dying] will be very low because with good palliative care, most suffering can be palliated. The hospice movement has been a fantastic success story and one which Christians are justly proud to have supported. But it does not meet all needs. Baroness Finlay, the leading palliative care specialist in Wales, has acknowledged that palliative care “does not get it right 100 per cent of the time”. Unfortunately, it is also the case that some patients find the whole dying process unbearable. We know this because new members of societies like Dignity in Dying give as their principal reason for joining that they have witnessed at first hand the suffering of a parent or spouse and they want the law changed so that others do not suffer in the same way. That is certainly my own motivation.” • Rev Paul Badham, Professor Emeritus of Theology and Religious Studies, the University of Wales (2014).

7. Avoidance of suffering/fear & compassion towards those who suffer. “We shouldn’t have to suffer.” Animals are shown more compassion! • Autonomy - the desire to keep control of my life & the right to make decisions about how and when my life will end. I retain my dignity. “It’s my life!” • Harm to society can be minimised by strict conditions.

8. 2. What are the main concerns about legalising euthanasia?? • The sanctity of human life, and the desire not to end a human life. • Human autonomy & control also come with grief, guilt, regret, questions (what if?) • Conflict in a doctor’s role as healer & preserver of life. • The environment/climate it may create in society. Moral decline. Slippery slope. (Negative experiences of other countries.) • 3. What is a Christian view? How does the Bible guide us? • It creates a theology around the value of human life, • the sovereignty of God, the life of faith & trust, • the sinful human condition, respect for human freedom and choice.

9. What Bible verses or passages come to mind for you when you think about euthanasia? • God created people in his image and likeness (Gen 1 v27) • The Lord is gracious and compassionate (Ps 103v8) • Be merciful as like father in heaven is merciful (Mt 6) • Do not murder (Ex 20 v13; Mt 19 v18) • The human desire to be like God (Gen 3 v5) • The Lord gives and the Lord takes away (Job 1 v21) • You knit me together in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139) Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” • God is our strength and protector, a mighty fortress and rock • Love your neighbour as yourself (Mk 12 v31) • Our days are numbered, determined by God, written in his book, our times are in his hands…. (Ps 31, 39, 90)

10. The healing ministry and miracles of Jesus • I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Phil 4 v13) • The peace of Christ in our minds & hearts (Phil 4 v7; Col 3 v15) • I will never leave you or abandon you (Heb 13 v5) • I am with you always until the end of the age (Mt 28 v20) • And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. (Jn 14 v16) • The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life - life in all its fullness. (Jn 10 v10) • The calling to care for widows, orphans and foreigners… for the poor, powerless and vulnerable. • The “fear nots” of Jesus.

11. Shaping a Christian worldview • God is the sovereign Lord of the heavens and the earth, • the creator and sustainer of all things. • Life is a precious & sacred gift from God to be respected. • Human beings are valuable because they are made in God's image. • All human lives are equally valuable to God, whatever their state. • Respecting the freedom of others in fallen world. • End of life care is important. • Euthanasia can lead to a change in social values – the vulnerable & weak need protection. • The experience of caring for the dying and disabled can be profoundly enriching. • Pain & suffering are part of life – Christians are not immune but it is temporary and there is hope.

12. “And on that day when my strength is failing, The end draws near and my time has come. Still my soul will sing your praise unending, Ten thousand years and then forevermore. Bless the Lord O my soul…..”