Displaying items by tag: Assisted suicide

As the Assisted Dying Bill continues through committee review, concerns have grown over insufficient safeguards for vulnerable patients. MPs backing the bill have rejected multiple amendments aimed at preventing coercion, medical misjudgments, and unsafe practices. Despite warnings of ‘doctor shopping’, where patients seek multiple approvals until they find a doctor who consents, MPs voted against stricter oversight. Concerns were also raised over the lack of judicial review, meaning life-ending decisions could be made without proper legal scrutiny. Evidence from Oregon revealed serious complications and prolonged suffering in some assisted suicides, contradicting claims of quick and painless deaths. MPs rejected a proposal to require doctors to warn patients of these risks. Coercion remains a major concern, with an amendment requiring doctors to ask why patients are seeking assisted suicide being voted down. Many fear patients may feel pressured due to illness, loneliness, or financial burdens, rather than making a truly independent choice. With serious ethical and medical concerns unresolved, prayer is needed for wisdom, compassion, and support for the doctors, nurses and hospices on the front line.

A judge has thrown out the case against Christian preacher Karandeep Mamman, who was arrested after being threatened and assaulted by an Islamic mob while publicly sharing his faith. Despite being harassed and surrounded in Walsall town centre, Mamman was later prosecuted for causing religiously aggravated harassment. His preaching, which included critiquing Islam’s depiction of Jesus, angered a group of 20-30 people who threatened to beat him and cut his throat. CCTV footage confirmed that he was the victim of aggression, yet police charged him instead of those who attacked him. His lawyers successfully argued that prosecuting him violated free speech rights, and the judge ruled not guilty after the prosecution withdrew evidence. Mamman praised God for the outcome, warning that Christians must not be silenced for publicly sharing the Gospel. As free speech in the UK faces growing challenges, believers must pray for boldness in proclaiming Christ.

The north of England faces a crisis in child welfare, with one in 52 children in Blackpool in care, highlighting the urgent need to address poverty-driven disparities. A report has revealed that nine in every thousand children in the north are in care, compared to six in the rest of England. The figures indicate that £25bn could have been saved if care entry rates had been equal across regions from 2019 to 2023. Child poverty emerges as the primary driver of these discrepancies. Dr Davara Bennett, lead author of the report, has stressed the necessity for policymakers to confront systemic inequalities and prioritise preventative measures over reactive spending. Emma Lewell-Buck, co-chair of the Child of the North all-party parliamentary group, has pointed to the detrimental impact of underinvestment in social services, advocating for improved support systems for vulnerable families. The call to action urges the Government to address these issues promptly to ensure a brighter future for children and families across the region.

New assisted suicide legislation in Scotland would open a 'Pandora's Box', according to disability policy advisor Dr Miro Griffiths. He says that the proposals being brought forward by Liam McArthur MSP 'represent a dangerous idea that would see the vulnerable and marginalised in society placed at risk of irreversible harm'. Dr Griffiths spoke about his own experience of living with disabilities: ‘My strength, respiratory functioning, and swallowing will continue to deteriorate. I require a power wheelchair, 24-hour personal assistance, and various medical interventions every day. I hope readers will realise that I, and many others in my community, approach this issue in a way that others in society will not.’ Canada legalised assisted suicide and euthanasia in 2016; within five years, the law was expanded and key safeguards were removed. There has been a tenfold rise in assisted suicides since the law was changed. Dr Griffiths concluded by saying that a change in the law was simply too dangerous, especially in the context of stretched public services.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey wants the Government to allocate time in Parliament for discussing possible legislation on assisted suicide. Challenging the Church of England's current view, he said it was important to stop people from suffering against their wishes and argued that to do so was ‘profoundly Christian’. In a submission to MPs, he said that helping someone in great suffering to die would be an act of great generosity, kindness and human love. He claimed that legalising assisted suicide would be a reflection of a compassionate society and argued that the likes of Oregon, in the US, where it is already legal, show that it can be done successfully. Anti-euthanasia campaigners use the example of Oregon, the Netherlands, Canada and Belgium as reasons why the UK should not change the law. In 2022 half of people given doctor-assisted suicide in Oregon did so because they feared being a burden on family, friends or caregivers.

Across the British Isles, campaigners are seeking to allow the terminally ill to get lethal drugs to end their lives. Jersey’s consultation on ‘assisted dying’ centred on how, not whether, the law should be changed. However, 1,400 responses argued firmly against assisted suicide. More respondents to the Isle of Man’s ‘assisted dying’ consultation were opposed to the principle of assisted suicide than for it. Member of the House of Keys, Dr Alex Allinson, who is driving the move to change the law, said the findings would ‘inform’ the drafting of legislation. The House of Commons Health Committee was ‘overwhelmed’ by the number of Christian responses to its call for evidence. MPs are currently hearing evidence on access to palliative care and the role of medics. Scotland’s proposal to legalise assisted suicide is delayed over concerns about legislative competence and will be brought forward later this year.

The authorities that exist are established by God (Romans 13:1). Pray for the King, Prime Minister, first ministers and all those in national and local government to have heaven’s wisdom. Pray that parliamentarians promote good and restrain evil. Marriage is a creation ordinance given by God for the good of all people. Genesis 2:24 says, ‘A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife; they will become one flesh’.’Pray that churches faithfully uphold the Bible’s teaching on marriage and sexual ethics. Psalm139:14 says, ‘I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.’ Pray that attempts to legalise euthanasia and allow abortion at any stage will fail. There is pressure to move away from God’s instructions for his world. ‘Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you.’ Pray for the UK's repentance and revival.

Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell, the former international development secretary, has said his mind has changed on assisted dying and he now supports making it legal. He said he supports ‘very, very tight reform’, to allow people to end their own life when they are told they have six months to live. This would be for people mentally capable of making the decision. Also, he thinks many more MPs support the idea than ever before, and that the House of Commons will be mostly in favour of it before this parliament is up. Care Not Killing said, ‘It comes down to the sanctity of life and the belief that it is important to offer care and support to people rather than trying to end their lives. And I think that is a good view, not just for Christian MPs but actually for all MPs to bear in mind.’

The British Medical Association is polling members on its policy on assisted suicide. Since 2006 it has been officially opposed to all forms of euthanasia and assisted suicide. However, if that changes as a result of this poll and the BMA goes 'neutral', some will see that as a green light for a dangerous change in the law. Politicians are unquestionably influenced by what medical bodies think, so it is vital for as many BMA members as possible to take the opportunity to express their support for continued opposition. Last week, a large group of doctors spoke out against shifting to neutral. Please join with us in praying that the BMA will remain opposed, and that the plans of those pushing for a law change will be stopped.

A cross-party group (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/oct/30/assisted-dying-laws-are-in-need-of-review) of 20+ MPs want the law banning euthanasia to be reviewed. The current law punishes assisted suicide with up to fourteen years’ imprisonment. However, committing the offence may not automatically result in prosecution. Consideration must be made whether a prosecution is in the public interest. There is a lobby of campaigners and individuals who are determined to see some form of assisted suicide introduced in the UK. - Dignity in Dying. Nearly all pain can be alleviated to some degree through medicine and palliative care. When patients’ physical, social, psychological and spiritual needs are properly met, suicide requests are extremely rare. The UK is a world leader in the provision of palliative care, and we should build on this legacy. If we permit assisted suicide, the right to die will soon become a duty to die for some of the most vulnerable in our society.