The Bill puts forth the motion that terminally ill patients with full mental capacity and a “clear and settled intention” have the right to end their lives with medical assistance. Members of the Parliament are considering various options, including whether a doctor should administer the lethal injection or it should be self-implemented. 

If the Bill is passed, the Isle of Man will be the first of the British Isles to legalise euthanasia. 

Churches Alive in Mann is a collaboration of eight Christian denominations who are opposing the motion. The Church of England, Methodist, Catholic, Living Hope, Elim, Salvation Army, United Reform Church and Baptist churches are all represented. Members have expressed their concerns over the integrity and potential pressure of vulnerable individuals. Christians are afraid that many of the elderly or disabled would feel that they are a burden on society. 

Bill Leishman, a Baptist minister stated: “Life is God’s to give and to take away. I think the deepest problem with assisted dying legislation is for vulnerable people who can be swept up in this. We know that a number of elderly, vulnerable, disabled people suffer from various types of coercion and discrimination. And there can be overt or subtle pressure. But the biggest thing, of course, is prayer. And we’d certainly appreciate your prayers for us here on the Isle of Man, because what happens here will have a ripple effect for the rest of the British Isles.”

Minister Leishman also argues that legalising euthanasia may standardise suicide and people would become less sympathetic. 

Euthanasia is illegal on the British Isles and carries a sentence of 14 years in prison. The third reading of the Bill is expected this summer. If passed, the first assisted suicide may occur in 2027.

The BBC features a  documentary about the actress Liz Carr, who presents a powerful case against assisted dying. Ms Carr has lived with a disability for most of her life and she insists that a disabled life is no less valuable or rich than any other: “We’re living the life that many pushing for assisted suicide are afraid of.”

Source: https://premierchristian.news/