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Considering the Tragic Path to Euthanasia Bio Ethicist and Expert Apologist Greg Koukl said it well in his article “Life Unworthy of Life” regarding the parallels between Nazi Germany’s eugenic cleansing and our present day. “But as I'm reading through this book I see a very chilling scenario that unfolds, one I also I see unfolding at this time and I'm chilled by it, not only because it was a historical event of the past, but because I see some of the same elements in place right here in our own time. As we talked I explained the process as Lifton describes it in the book. First all children three years of age and under who were even suspected of idiocy or mongolism or microcephaly or hydrocephaly or malformation of limbs or head or spinal column, paralysis including spastic conditions, all put into a group called "The Children's Specialty Department" and trucked to killing centers and put to death. Sometimes they were put to death by injection, but usually they were killed by starvation and occasionally by carbon monoxide gas.” http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5436 I too share Mr. Koukl’s well founded fear as I see unfolding before my very eyes the legitimization of euthanasia for things like severe mental illness stating that it is not unlike physical suffering. http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/100792129.html There are Doctors and even parents who are advocating the death of those with disabilities and depression, using euthanasia as a final solution for teens and even babies. http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/004/616jszlg.asp http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/003dncoj.asp Many children are already aborted in America and Britain because they have birth defects like downs syndrome and spina bifada. Doctors feel quite confident to advise abortion for women who have unborn babies with Downs Syndrome.http://www.lifeissues.org/radio/r2007/01/01-04-07.htm http://www.lifenews.com/nat2292.html There are over a hundred procedures to correct birth defects while children are in the womb. But even if we cannot correct a condition, is it ethical to kill them? How do we know what kind of life they will have? I have personally spoken to people who were said to be hopeless cases that should have been aborted and yet they now live life to the fullest. Too often doctors tell women to abort their children because of the potential medical problems. But many doctors are just avoiding being sued if the pregnancy becomes too complicated or they may be sued under a “wrongful life suit.” Yes you heard me right. Doctors are being sued for not preventing a disabled child from living. http://www.bioethicsanddisability.org/wrongfulbirth.htmlAnd yet there is a wonderful compassionate group, CHASK, Christian Homes and Special Kids, http://www.chask.org/index.htm , which has a waiting list of many families who are willing to adopt special needs children.God is watching how we treat those with special needs, for we are not in the position to say that we are any better. God looks at us and we are quite pitiful without His help even with all of our intelligence and abilities. But Jesus said, “To whom much is given, much is required.” Our response to those in need reflects how close we are to having the love of God in our hearts.“We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” 1 John 3:16-17 Euthanasia in the form of doctor assisted suicide has continued to be an area of intense debate as many see it as the last autonomous act that one can make before they leave this world. In fact, one representative of the Hemlock Society that advocates euthanasia, sees this entire issue in the light of the abortion debate. He told me that “it is no different than the abortion issue because it’s my body and my choice.” I was truly amazed that he had carried over the pro choice mantra into the euthanasia debate. But I suppose this is a consistent view if you do not value your own life or that of others the same way that some of us do. Some forms of Euthanasia:VOLUNTARY Euthanasia- Patient makes conscious and informed decision to die possibly by lethal injection or other painless means.And yet I hear of stories of people being glad that their desire for being euthanized did not work. Many times attitude, faith and support play a huge part in one’s ability to face life’s suffering. Making someone comfortable with loving support and good pain management can make all the difference in the world.NON- VOLUNTARY Euthanasia- The patient is unable to make decisions because they are in a coma and others make it for them.Note: The nature of how long a coma may last or if a person is conscious is very much at question. Studies from the June 1991 Archives of Neurology have shown that of the 84 patients in a P.V.S., (persistent vegetative state) that 58% of them were conscious within 3 years.Another study out of Britain showed that 40% diagnosed with P.V.S. were actually conscious. Jeremy Laurence, “Vegetative State Diagnosis Wrong in Many Patients, Times (London) July 5, 1996 Can you imagine being in a supposed coma and can over hear your relatives figuring out how to put you out of your so called misery? INVOLUNTARY euthanasia- When a person voices their desire to live, but are killed anyway. This situation is widespread in many countries like the Netherlands and Belgium. There are literally thousands who have been killed this way. http://www.euthanasia.com/nethcases.html I remember meeting a gentleman named “Henk” in the Netherlands who relayed a story to me that he personally experienced. A while back when his grandfather was in a hospital he found out that the doctors were slowly ending his grandfather’s life with overdoses of morphine. Henk told me that he had gone to the hospital to visit his grandfather, even playing chess with him. But apparently the doctors saw the life of that grandfather differently. To them, grandfather was not living a life worth living. They took it upon themselves to end his life. What was also amazing is that a great deal of heart ache and accusation went on amongst the family members when they found out that grandpa was euthanized. There were accusations that perhaps some family members had encouraged the doctors to end grandpa’s life. It wasn’t true, but it took a long time for relationships to be mended. This so called mercy killing was done without the knowledge and consent of the grandpa. He was coherent and seemed happy meeting with his grandson Henk. The doctors took the life of this elderly gentleman without even consulting the family. This is the fruit of the euthanasia movement which tries to couch itself as making their ‘own end of life’ decisions, when in reality, over time someone else will end their life whether they want it ended or not. Many are euthanized by the withholding of food and water. This method is even used a great deal in the United States where many elderly die in pain from being dehydrated and starved to death. It seems remarkable to me that we would not even do this to a death row inmate and would consider this abuse under the Geneva Convention, but we would do this to our own relatives. No truer words are found in Proverbs 12:10, which says that, “The compassion of the wicked is cruel.” Most of us would consider it cruel to do such a thing to a child or if others kept us from drinking or eating anything for many days. It would be more compassionate to simply put a pillow over our loved one’s face. But you say that would be murder; you are right, but I think I have just made my point. To withdraw food and water is pro actively killing someone slowly. I believe the words of Jesus Christ can be applied here. “Do unto others as you would have done unto you.” Would you want to be dehydrated to death? Would you want to be starved to death?Matt. 25:34-40 “Whenever you did it to the least of these you did it unto me.” (Jesus is referring to visiting the sick, clothing them, even giving them food and drink.) More Scriptural principles regarding euthanasiaDeuteronomy 27:16 “Cursed is the one who treats his father or his mother with contempt.”Sad to say that many see their elderly parents as a burden, rather than giving them the love, respect and care they deserve. Our love for them affirms that they are made in the image of God; therefore we must uphold their right to life. Deuteronomy 28:50 “A nation will come that has no respect for the old.” This is seen as a curse and the result of being conquered. Exodus 20:13 “Thou shalt not kill.” We do not have the authority to end the life of someone by murdering them with drugs or withdrawing normal care that we all expect for ourselves each day Lev. 19:32 “You shall rise up before the gray headed and honor the aged.” It seems that over the years the worship of youth and the disdain for the elderly run contradictory to this Biblical injunction to honor those who are elderly. Ps. 139:13-16 “You formed me and we are wonderfully made.” Even the elderly with all of their weaknesses were originally created by God Proverbs 31:6-7 “Give strong drink to him who is perishing.” It has been said that many times the reason that many want assisted suicide is that their pain is too much to bear or they feared that their pain could not be managed. It is really sad that a person’s will to live hinges on whether a doctor has been properly trained in proper pain management. Proverbs 15:20 “A wise son makes his father glad; a foolish man despises his mother.”Sometimes I have seen the euthanizing of the elderly as being motivated by those who simply despise their elderly parents to the point of seeing the elderly as just a burden to the family. Proverbs 17:6 “The glory of sons is their fathers.” Our societies need to recapture what it means to glory in our parents contributions to our lives and to return to them the love and honor they are due.
Proverbs 23:22-25
“Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when
she is old. Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and instruction and
understanding. Proverbs 24:11-12 “Rescue those being led away to slaughter.”We should advocate against the euthanizing of others. Sadly there will come a day in which even our governments will probably set up state run euthanizing clinics. I wonder if we will be there to advocate against such a thing? We must reach society as a whole regarding the issues of death and suffering. Sadly 47% of the people who were euthanized in the state of Oregon did not want to be a burden to others. What a sad commentary on our medical and family care systems. http://www.leg.state.vt.us/reports/04Death/Death_With_Dignity_Report.htm Proverbs 30:11 “There is a kind of man who curses his father and does not bless his mother.” Our actions at the end of a loved one’s life determine whether this is true of us. Ecclesiastes 3:2 “A time to give birth and a time to die.” We will all be faced with the time when a loved one cannot continue on in this life, as they are truly dying and we must accept it. But we do not have the authority to pro actively end the life of a loved one. We should always give a loved one the opportunity to heal from injuries or from a debilitating disease, but there does come that time when we have to let go. Isaiah 46:4 “God shall bear us when we are old.” We should realize that God will be with us in our elderly years and that He can sustain us to have meaning and strength to carry on. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “My power is made perfect in weakness, for I am content with weaknesses.” The right attitude for those who have weaknesses and infirmities is that God will give them a power in spite of their weakness. Isaiah 47:6 “On the aged you made your yoke very heavy.” God is condemning Babylon for the mistreatment of the elderly. Luke 10:25-37 “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This passage deals with the description of the Good Samaritan and how a real neighbor cares for those who are in physical and financial need. What does this say about those in long term care? Romans 13:10 “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” It is not loving to do wrong to someone, especially when they cannot defend themselves. Euthanasia is not loving as it takes someone’s life or allows someone to take their own life. http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/advocacy/assistsuicide.htm#040601 James 2:8-9 “Love your neighbor and do not show partiality.” When someone is physically and emotionally in need we are instructed to love them and to not show partiality against them. Romans 12:10-13 “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.” Caring for the elderly is not just a family thing, it’s the church community coming together to be a blessing to our fellow saints and friends in need. These principles not only apply in the area of instructing our response to those who are elderly, but of course those with debilitating diseases like aids and cancer.” Mark 7:10-13 "For Moses said, 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER'; and, 'HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER, IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH'; but you say, 'If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),' you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that." As a society we are developing traditions of men that run contrary to the call for compassion and care of those at the end of their lives. What is truly remarkable is that the commandment to honor our Father and Mother has a wonderful promise attached to it. Those who honor their Father and Mother will live long and it will be well with them. But there is a stern warning for those who do not honor their father and mother: Deuteronomy 27:16 “Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'” 1 Cor.6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” It seems this scripture runs very contrary to the mindset of “my body, my choice.” We do not own our own bodies. They are God’s own possession and we are to glorify God in our body. I hardly think that suicide glorifies God in our body. Romans 14:7-8 “No one lives for themselves or dies for themselves.” We do not own our selves. Whether we live or die it should be for the Lord. Romans 12:1 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” When a person is confined to a bed they can become very depressed and hopeless. It is important that they see themselves as offering their bodies to God, just as they are in their weakened state, as an act of worship. Many of these kinds of scriptures apply to those who know and follow Jesus Christ. It is hard to imagine someone facing death or illness without knowing the loving care of the Master who will never leave us nor forsake us. This life is certainly short, so it is best to live it by faith in the One who is able to carry us into His eternal Kingdom. Romans 8:28 “All things work together for good for those who love God and those who are called according to His purpose.” Even in all of the pain and sorrow God will work all of it out for our good. Even Paul the Apostle, who was persecuted severely said “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,” (2 Corinthians 4:17) What an incredible confidence Paul had in facing any of life’s challenges. Paul knew very well, first hand the sufferings of this life. That is why he also said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18) It cannot be stressed enough that we have an eternal perspective in the midst of our suffering. Galatians 4:13-14 “But you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.” The Apostle Paul commended the Galatians church for not despising him or his illness. Unfortunately this is not the prevalent attitude regarding the disabled and the elderly. Philippians 2:4 “Do not look merely at your own interests, but the interests of others.” We are clearly taught to look out for others and to not be self centered. Many times the kind of person we really are is revealed in a time of family crisis. Special warning: There is a real good reason to believe that Baby boomers, who were born between 1946-1964, will pay the price of Choice. Many of these ‘baby boomers’ will be retiring soon, putting an enormous strain on medical and retirement systems. And many young adults today have been brought up with the belief that abortion is acceptable for the reasons of lack of finances, inconvenience and the potential of their child not having a life worth living. And yet this same reasoning could very well be transferred to the parents who taught their children these justifications for the taking of innocent life. Their own children will look at their parents and say to themselves, “Mom and Dad are getting too expensive, inconvenient and they are not living a life worth living.” Hence many children will end up advocating for the death of their parents with the same reasons abortion is so prevalent. Euthanasia will be given full vent because of the current view towards the unborn. Something to consider The quality of life that a person experiences, is not what they can do. It is what God will do in them in spite of themselves. Even comatose people bring out the positive and godly character in others that they never would have otherwise experienced. A person’s quality of life is proportional to quality of life that believers around them have to minister to them. A person’s quality of life is also proportional to the level of humility and spirituality a person has while in a vulnerable state. A Special note to my readers: I know that many of the passages that I have cited seem to apply only to believing Christians. I would hope that those who do not believe in God can see that one of the reasons that life is indeed hopeless in the midst of a terminal disease or a frail elderly condition is that one does not have that power from above to go through this most trying time. If you do not know Christ, take the time to pray to Him and ask Him for forgiveness and salvation. He will give you the life and the hope to carry on day by day. I cannot imagine people who do not have a vibrant faith in God being able to face life with dignity and courage. It is said in Holy Scriptures that “love bears all things and endures all things.” There is a special power for those who can look at life with faith and love. Please pursue that most important and eternal matter of seeking to know God and the precious promises of His Word, in the Bible. Even King David, who was a man of great faith, had many trying days in which he lamented of life in the book of Psalms pleading to God. He said he would have given up, had he not believed he would see the goodness of God in this life. (Psalm 27:13-14) May we all advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. There may come a day when euthanasia will be given to so many all in the name of duty and the avoidance of suffering, when in reality, God is calling us to greater love and courage. May we answer that call in our churches, family and our community. Some helpful Websites on Euthanasia http://internationaltaskforce.org/ http://www.cbhd.org/resources/endoflife/overview.htm http://www.wesleyjsmith.com/blog/ http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5349#Euthanasia |
