Christian support needed for euthanasia process

NOW that assisted dying (AD) is soon to be in operation, it is time for Christian communities to consider what support they can give.

To operate well and safely in the long term, AD will require spiritual and moral support, which is just what Christian communities could provide.

Spiritual support is easy. Voluntary selfsurrender (AD) is itself a spiritual act, and when added to by a sense of gratitude for the life one has been given, in religious terms it can be understood as handing one’s life back to God. A sense of reverence for the process which this provides could be a great help in keeping it safe.

Giving moral support may be more difficult but voluntary selfsurrender is in a different world to killing, as well as to suicide as we know it, so there should be no problem. The commandment not to kill does not apply.

Having Sunday prayers for those undergoing AD may be beneficial to all.

K. Bragan

Wanaka