UK faces ‘worst ever threat of assisted suicide becoming law’
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater's bill to legalise assisted suicide was formally introduced in the House of Commons on Wednesday and it will be debated on the 29th of November.
Christian activists protested against the bill outside Westminster.
According to a Christian advocacy group called Care, the bill is “serious, fast-moving and it is the worst ever threat of assisted suicide becoming law.” Ross Hendry, CEO of Care stated: “Throughout history, the Church has strongly opposed assisted suicide and euthanasia. God’s word teaches us that human beings, made in God’s image, are to be protected and cherished. This is especially true for those who are vulnerable, broken, and powerless. With huge pressure in the media and politics, we face the worst ever threat of assisted suicide becoming law. I urge you, please, to write to politicians to share your concerns.”
Right to Life UK has joined in urging all Christians, including their opponents, to write to their respective MPs and appeal to them to refuse the bill. Spokesperson Catherine Robinson stated: “The UK must prioritise properly funded, high-quality palliative care for those at the end of their life, not assisted suicide. Legalising assisted suicide presents an acute threat to vulnerable people, especially in the context of an overstretched healthcare system. Even members of the Prime Minister’s own cabinet recognise this problem and that, within this setting, certain people will likely be particularly vulnerable to coercion. Every suicide is a tragedy and this remains the case for those nearing the end of their life. The situation for people who may already have a serious illness is not helped by a failing health care system and a cold home. In such cases, vulnerable people may feel pressured to end their lives prematurely. This would be an extremely poor indictment of our healthcare system and society as a whole.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury has also expressed his grave concerns about legalising euthanasia. Justin Welby said: “I think this approach is both dangerous and sets us in a direction which is even more dangerous, and in every other place where it’s been done, has led to a slippery slope. The right to end your life could all too easily – all too accidentally – turn into a duty to do so. I worry that even the best intentions can lead to unintended consequences, and that the desire to help our neighbour could, unintentionally, open the door to yet more pain and suffering for those we are trying to help.”
Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, welcomed the Archbishop’s support and said: “It’s great that the Archbishop of Canterbury has come out against assisted suicide, and said that the right to die can become a duty to die. We need, as a civilised society to say to people: ‘You are not a burden, you are precious. We will look after you’.”
Source: https://www.christiantoday.com/