mgpcpastor's blog

Our local newspaper, The Border Watch featured articles on euthanasia over a couple days a week or so ago.
Here’s a piece I submitted for publication on behalf of the local churches, which appeared today.
It is intentionally a response to articles and positions expressed in the newspaper, and is meant to be a response and explanation of a Christian position.
It is not meant to be a final word, for this a position which will be revisited and answered again and again.
I was conscious while writing that striving for both clarity and compassion. There are bits that I’d love to tinker with, but, here it is.

About Life
Any time the words ‘church’ and ‘uproar’ appear in the same headline I can’t help but read in order to find out what’s gone wrong now.
So, a couple of weeks ago in the Border Watch I saw that the local churches were in an uproar over euthanasia. My memory of reading the article, though, is of a few people who affirmed empathy with those who suffered and sympathy toward their loved ones; while affirming the Christian understanding of the value of human life which has been shared in our society’s attitude to suicide and ending human life.
If that’s indicative of an uproar I can only suggest that I don’t think that word means what the author of the headline thinks it means.
As people who spend a substantial amount of time with those who suffer chronic illness; as those who support their families before and after the death of loved ones; as individuals who have experienced first hand the chronic illness and loss of our own family members; I can assure anyone reading this that the opposition of churches or Christians to altering our laws does not come from lack of personal experience or callous disregard to others.
It is true that our opposition does come, in the first instance, from our understanding of human life being unique among all other life. We don’t accept the right of human beings to end their own life, or to be in the business of ending the lives of others.
Secondly, we believe this position also best makes for a positive and flourishing society, which is why we affirm that it should remain our public standard.
This affirmation is why Christians have often been associated with advances in the care of the infirm and dying. We don’t wish to see futile treatment imposed, and support the ethical administration of pain relieving drugs.
What we oppose is the step whereby a culture which presently affirms life will transform to one which equates life or death as simply a matter of perspective.
Doctors will no longer be expected to preserve life as their primary goal, but will come to be involved in either killing their patients or providing them the means to kill themselves.
The euthanasia movement embraces a number of positions, which go far beyond the situation of those who are enduring terminal illness. A Melbourne woman, who recently ended her life while in reasonable health because of concerns about future possible deterioration, was championed by The Age newspaper as a cause for euthanasia reform.
Our concern would be that any change to our existing laws will eventually see the initial standards and protocols broadened over time, either due to legislative or judicially imposed change.
We would call upon our legislators to increase funding and services for palliative care, particularly in country areas such as our own. Advances in this care have resulted in significant reductions in suffering, even in comparison to those who have suffered similarly in the recent past.
Christians have historically identified with God’s call to care for the vulnerable, and have encouraged society as a body to share the privilege of caring for those who have particular needs.
While empathising with the hurt that often motivates advocacy for euthanasia, we believe there is another way which both affirms the value of life and cares for those we love.