As the tentacles of control tighten their grip on us all, consider the prospect of perhaps one day feeling obliged to have yourself put down like a poorly dog.
Such a diabolical scenario may soon become reality if we don’t do something quickly. For things are moving so fast we barely notice key legislation being passed under our noses.
On Friday October 22nd, the Second Reading of Baroness Meacher’s Assisted Dying Bill will take place in the House of Lords. And it is surely a matter of great urgency that Christians take up the call for action from campaigning group CARE in urging peers to speak, and if necessary, vote against it.
That believers can still influence politicians was made abundantly clear when they helped to defeat an extreme abortion bill just three months ago. I will come back to that.
Risky safeguards
The ‘right to kill’ unborn children could also become the ‘duty to die’ for vulnerable people who realise that their care is expensive and who are made to feel a burden to family and society at large.
But there are serious public safety concerns about the proposed legislation, which is extreme and dangerous, with no proof that the Bill’s so-called ‘safeguards’ will even work.
Within three years of Canada permitting assisted suicide in 2016, one of its key ‘safeguards’ – that assisted suicide should only be permitted for those who are terminally ill and with six months or less to live – was removed and assisted suicide was opened to include the chronically ill.
How accurate are the time frames suggested by doctors, anyway? I know someone who was given just months to live early this year, but who has well exceeded her life expectancy and is still relatively fit.
Playing God?
I know that many of the supporters of this Bill intend it for compassionate reasons. But life is precious, and in the hands of our Creator.We should not be trying to play God in deciding who lives or dies. This has hugely dangerous implications of the kind that allowed Nazism to be lamely accepted, destroying two-thirds of Europe’s Jews in the process. It’s a slippery slope that cannot be allowed to continue, or else we will have truly gone over the edge into the abyss as a nation. For more details on how you can help influence this debate, see care.org.uk.
I know that many of the supporters of this Bill intend it for compassionate reasons. But life is precious, and in the hands of our Creator.
Morality degenerating
We have become so numbed by the extent to which we have degenerated into behaviour of which even some animals would be ashamed that the introduction onto mainstream television of The Love Triangle passes almost unnoticed.
The Channel 4 programme was described in the Radio Times1 as “a dating show in which couples wanting to explore a ‘polyamorous’ relationship try to find the perfect third partner”. You couldn’t make it up.
Campaigning works
Back in July, it was largely thanks to campaigning Christians that one of the most wicked proposed changes in the law ever to have been conceived in this country failed to win approval.
An amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill intended to legalise abortion for any reason up to birth was withdrawn after being selected by the Speaker for debate and a vote.
According to CARE’s Nola Leach, this was thanks to numerous MPs who powerfully spoke against it after being briefed by the organisation ahead of the debate. Sharing with supporters, Nola wrote: “MPs have told us about the high volume of emails and letters they received from constituents like you!”
That such proposals even got as far as being tabled shows how sick our society has become. But there is evidently still a sizeable remnant of compassionate believers prepared to make a difference.
Awakening the nation’s conscience
As I have said before, I believe the plague of coronavirus is, at least in part, a judgment from the Lord for the shedding of innocent blood. Let’s not extend that to vulnerable elderly or chronically sick people.
It’s time to awaken the conscience of our nation. Life is sacred, and we must choose life, not death.
It’s time to awaken the conscience of our nation. Life is sacred, and we must choose life, not death.
As the ancient Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land, the Lord made clear that their success as a nation would depend on their morality – specifically on keeping the commandments of God. “Keep this book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8)
But it will take courage, which is why the Lord adds: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (v9)
Notes
1For screening on Wednesday October 6th 2021