Naturally, as a Christian, I’m deeply saddened by the result of the assisted dying bill, which passed its second reading in the UK House of Commons. Quite simply, it’s a devastating outcome. But first, some context.
The TL;DR of the bill is essentially this: The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, introduced by Kim Leadbeater, seeks to legalise assisted suicide for terminally ill adults aged 18 or older living in England and Wales. So far, the bill has passed the second reading and will now proceed to the committee stage.
Supporters of the bill claim that sufficient safeguards will be put in place, but little evidence of that has been provided. My understanding, as of this writing, is that two judges and a doctor would be required to make the final decision.
Interestingly, many MPs—some I wouldn’t have expected, such as Diane Abbott—came out against it. This is good news. It shows that despite political differences, many MPs still have a moral backbone and are prepared to vote against laws that are not for the greater good.
I watched a powerful video hosted by the Christian Institute summarising some of the key arguments against the bill during the recent debate. I strongly encourage you to watch it if you’re unsure where you stand on this issue.
For me personally, I oppose the bill for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, as humans, I genuinely believe we aren’t equipped to make decisions about whether someone should die. Not even those at the peak of their careers, such as doctors and judges. It’s not our place to decide—only God has that authority. This bill essentially removes God from the equation, implying that medical “experts” know best.
Secondly, the state has no right to determine who should live and who should not. This bill represents a significant and unwelcome intrusion into the lives of ordinary people. The state has no right to interfere in the lives of the vulnerable, let alone decide who has the right to life.
I do understand the concerns of those who support the bill, as I’m sure they genuinely believe they are fighting for a noble cause. Sadly, I disagree. Many claim that this bill is compassionate and gives those at the end of their lives “dignity” and “respect.” However, I feel this would only create more grief and trauma for loved ones and caregivers.
This issue is, in many ways, akin to abortion. Both are equally immoral and often presented as quick fixes to complex problems.
Young or old, in the womb or outside it—whether through assisted dying or an aborted pregnancy—let’s not dress these acts up with kind and compassionate language. Let’s call them what they truly are: murder.