Jenny Appleton argues that euthanasia for a Christian can never be a good death. She says that death is not the end but a rite of passage to another reality, and by hastening death one is denying that God is an all-powerful, omniscient creator who rules lovingly over all. She concludes that euthanasia would bring added anxieties to the patient, stress to the family and it would become the first step towards state control of the right to life. Also, a Christian should be sensitive to these concerns.
Rowan Williams also stated his view on euthanasia could not be a good death for a Christian. He notes that the right to assisted death can entail a responsibility on others to kill. By this means that the doctor or physician will have the responsibility to kill the patient. Even if the patient and family give informed or group of individuals decides to give it. He also thinks it would be good to accept that there are parts of life where God cannot reach.
However, as well as these arguments that agree with the claim there are views that disagree with the claim. Paul Badham says that euthanasia should be considered a good thing. ‘Switching machines in such cases is not really helping a patients to “die well”, but instead it is recognising that they have really already died and its that we are simply ending the suffering of their corpses. In his article it shows that interestingly opinion polls show that ordinary Christians do not follow their leaders in this matter since 80% of Anglicans and 73% of Roman Catholics lay people would like to see euthanasia legalised. He also points out that in the Bible, it is nowhere said that it is always wrong to take someone’s own life. This is also interesting as Christians follow the Bible and still oppose euthanasia. Biblical suicides (which always take place in extreme circumstances) are reported without condemnation, so why is it wrong in modern to society for an individual to commit suicide if they cannot go on living in pain and want to reserve their pride and dignity. Saul committed suicide to avoid humiliation of being captured and to stop his death from being lamented by al of Israel. Now it is understandable why he chose to take his own life, but he wasn’t suffering in pain like some people are laid in hospital today, and still it is wrong for patients to want to end their misery? The overall picture of the biblical suicide is that the ‘death before dishonour’ attitude of Saul was commendable. The story about Jens giving his own life is a good example too.
The significance of the golden rule, ‘Always treat others as you would like them to treat you’, signifies that the doctors should treat their patients precisely to how they want to be treated, even if they wish to die. If this Golden rule is ignored, doesn’t it contradict what is said in the Bible about treating other people to how you want to be treated? And shouldn’t a consistent Christian be allowed to follow this rule even if the consequence is that they should assist someone to die.
Out of Badhams article I think this really important biblical quote sums up what he thinks about euthanasia. ‘ Death is better than a miserable life, and eternal rest is better than chronic sickness’. His argument is that it is exactly this judgement that a modern Christian should be allowed to make and act upon in closing stages of life.
Another person who would disagree wit the claim that euthanasia can never be considered a god death for a Christian would be Joseph Fletcher. His approach of situation ethics makes a radical departure from the traditional Christian approaches to ethics and morality. It is said to be a useful teleogical theory, containing the notion of agape love, where “justice is love is disturbed, nothing else”. As Jesus was a general role model of agape love, then Christians should find it easy to believe in agape? “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”. This is as it says in the New Testament (John 15 V13). It seems to mention suicide as being an all-loving action. In situation ethics the consequences of the action need to produce the most love e.g. If a terminally ill person is suffering in pain and discomfort, and they want to end their life to stop the suffering, then it would be more loving for the family, the doctor and the person to agree on the assisted suicide to take place.
Overall, after looking at each article, and establishing each persons view on euthanasia, I have come to mine own conclusion. I disagree with the claim, and agree with the likes of Badham and Fletcher. Firstly, if the sanctity of life is most important, Christian should not let himself or herself or a loved one suffer from an incurable illness. If they deemed their life the most important thing in life, then they would save themselves and consider euthanasia as an option. Jenny Appleton agrees with the claim and says that euthanasia/suicide would become the first step towards state control of the right to life. But is this a bad thing? It could in fact give humans more control of the right to life and death, if they are very ill. Taking all of the thoughts I have pointed out, I think it is hard to establish why euthanasia would not be appropriate for a Christian. It’s the more loving option and stops the suffering of a person. However, a modern problem is that this modern world calls for a Christian response that is already modern. (The ethic of love)
