We are all confronted with death and perhaps no one more so than medical staff, especially those who serve in palliative care wards and perhaps to a lesser extent those who serve in emergency wards and ICU. As most Victorians know, the Andrew’s government are in the process of introducing ‘assisted dying’ legislation into the Victorian Parliament. Premier Daniel Andrews announced that all 66 recommendations from an independent advisory panel have been accepted by Cabinet. Interestingly, politicians in favour of the new proposed legislation try to steer clear of using the word ‘euthanasia’, instead preferring to call it ‘Assisted Dying” since it involves three distinct steps. Those who are not in favour called it exactly what it is, ‘euthanasia.’
Like most things, there is always room to misuse any new method of ending one’s life. But as Christians, we need to be careful not to think the worst of people concerning the introduction of this legislation or its implementation should it become law. Yes, there may be some after the ‘pot-of-gold’ that a loved one may leave behind but I don’t think that is the norm. Generally, non-Christians and Christians do not like to see people suffering and especially not when there is no real hope of recovery. There have been times we have all prayed that the Lord would take a loved one home to glory so that the suffering may be over for them. So, let’s not become too cynical about motives for this legislation.
In their defence, the Andrew’s government are saying that this will be the safest ‘assisted dying’ scheme in the world, with the most rigorous checks and balances. That’s probably so at this stage of proceedings but it wasn’t so many years ago that abortion was only allowed when the mother’s life was in physical danger and that is certainly not the case anymore.
So, as Christians, why should we oppose such legislation? First and foremost, life is a gift from God, both for Christian and non-Christian alike. We are made in His image and we may not take life (Exo 20:13), that prerogative stays with the Lord. Job stated already many years ago, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away…” (Job 1:21b). The Apostle Paul likewise reminds us that “You are not your own; you were bought at a price…” (1 Cor 6:19c). Jesus himself didn’t choose a short-cut to glory when offered one by the devil in the wilderness. Nor did he do so when confronted with the soldiers after the time of prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. It would have been so easy to grab a sword as one of the Apostles did and start a skirmish that would have ended in a quick death.
A second reason why I oppose euthanasia is that the process of dying can be (although not always) a great family time. I have seen families re-commit to each other and to God when a loved one has died by reflecting on their dying loved one’s life and example.
A third reason is that the process of dying can be a great witness to fellow Christians, medical staff and friends who are not Christians. I have known of nursing staff who were converted by the Holy Spirit as they witnessed the love and care of a Christian family for their loved one and the dying person’s demeanour, peacefulness and confidence in the crown of life that will soon be theirs during the process of dying.
A fourth reason is that because of the Lord’s blessing of improved medication and proper care during the dying process, suffering can be kept to a minimum. That may not have been the case seventy years ago, but it is now. So, as Paul says, let us “honour God with our body,” even in the process of dying (1 Cor 6:20).
Finally, perhaps we can write to our member of Parliament and ask them respectfully and winsomely to vote ‘no’ on this new legislation when it comes to the floor of Parliament. JZ.