Articles Number Five

EUTHANASIA
Euthanasia is where someone intentionally kills a person
whose life is felt not to be worth living. Although illegal in
the UK, there has been increasing pressure from various
groups to change the law. The main arguments are: “It’s
my choice” (autonomy), “my suffering is unbearable”
(compassion) and “care costs too much” (economics). The
prominent cases in the media are often complex and do
not represent the average dying patient.
As Christians, we are to uphold the sanctity of human life
made in God’s image, and to have Christ-like compassion
for those who suffer.
Suppose your grandmother was diagnosed with a terminal
illness such as cancer. The law currently protects those
who are vulnerable (such as the elderly, the disabled, and
those unable to speak for themselves), but if the law was
changed to legalise euthanasia, there could be undue
pressure on your grandmother and the family to hasten
death.
Employing faith-based arguments with non-Christians is
often not immediately effective. Nevertheless, we can
still talk about (on terms they might accept) the excellent
provision of palliative care (‘killing the pain, not the patient’)
and the current protection of the law for the vulnerable.
Opinion polls suggest that many are unsure about this
issue and so may be persuaded once they’ve heard these
arguments – so let’s be encouraged to speak out credibly
as Christians for those who can’t speak for themselves.
POINTING TO JESUS
With advances in healthcare and medical technology, we
are coming across more ethical issues. The prevailing
secular principles (to the exclusion of all others) of
individualism and autonomy mean that we cannot ignore
these conversations as followers of Christ.
In our conversations, we can with joy and conviction point
to a creator God who made us in his image and values life;
a God of justice who cares for the weak and vulnerable; a
relational God who loves us and gave his only Son for us.
Jesus came to reconcile us to God, empathise with our
sufferings, comfort us through the Holy Spirit and point to the
glorious future hope we have where there will be no more
pain or suffering.
How can I be better equipped to engage?
Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) unites and equips
Christian doctors, nurses and midwives to live and speak for
Jesus Christ.
CMF gives a united, powerful and credible voice for Christians
in healthcare to speak out in society. If you work in healthcare,
CMF can help you serve your church by equipping you to
explain these issues overcoming any fear or anxiety in
engaging in these conversations for the sake of the Gospel.
CMF also produces an excellent range of easily accessible
online and print resources for all ranging from contraception,
infertility and abortion to transgender and euthanasia
cmf.org.uk
DR. RACHEL OWUSU-ANKOMAH
is a Surgical Doctor, CMF Head of Student Ministries and
part of Brixton Local Church
DR. FELICIA WONG
is a General Practitioner, CMF Head of Graduate Ministries
and part of Christ Church Earlsfield
Although living in an increasingly hostile and Godless
culture, we should not despair and withdraw but rather
welcome these as incredible opportunities to speak
into our society with words of wisdom and hope, with
graciousness and pastoral sensitivity, remembering that
people may be personally affected by these issues.
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