Regarding Euthanasia
The following paper was presented to the Anglican Synod of the
Diocese of the Murray in August 1996 in Christian support of the
Northern Territory Rights of the Terminally Ill Act.
Morally Speaking ...
What human being has the right to forbid others from terminating their
lives, when they are permanently subjected to the immense, and unremitting
trauma, of excruciating pain? Add to this the humiliation, and utter despair,
of being forced into an existence of ever increasing physical and mental
vegetation ... and death becomes the only and ultimately welcome release.
Who ... amongst all of us ... has been given that specific right?
No one! Not one person on this earth has that despotic right
... yet those who condemn consensual euthanasia, even though it be mercifully
administered under strict control ... have autocratically assumed that
right! Not only do I find that totally outrageous and unacceptable,
but also morally illegal.
Interestingly, the Catholic Church has been most vocal in preventing
legalisation of euthanasia in the Northern Territory, yet parts of their
doctrine on 'man's freedom and rights' are quite specific, according
to the Catechism of the Catholic Church ... as the following extracts will
show ...
Article 3 - 'Man's Freedom'
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Item 1730:
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God created man a rational being, conferring on him the dignity of a person
who can initiate and control his own actions. God willed that man should
be left in the hand of his own counsel so that he might of his own accord
seek his Creator and freely attain his full and blessed perfection by cleaving
to him. Man is rational and therefore like God; he is created with
free will and is master over his own acts.
Item 1738:
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Freedom is exercised in relationships between human beings. Every human
person, created in the image of God, has the natural right to be recogaized
as a free and responsible being. All owe to each other this duty of respect.
The right to the exercise of freedom, especially in moral and religious
matters, is an inalienable requirement of the dignity of the human person.
This right must be recognised and protected by civil authority within the
limits of the common good and public order.
The above defines ...
God gives all human beings free will and the right to make their own decisions,
providing no other person is harmed. Those over-ruling our 'God given'
and inalienable rights, are defying God's Will ... placing themselves above
Him, by sanctimoniously deciding that we, His people, have no rights when
it comes to controlling our own lives! Nobody has that right except
God and the individual concerned! But obviously some believe they do, because
we can now 'legally' terminate the life of a healthy embryonic infant for
any number of reasons, and yet, when the mature, terminally ill seek consensual
euthanasia for just 'one' very good reason ... there is an outcry from
the self-righteous, and it becomes an even greater mortal sin. Which is
the greater sin? ... Legalised abortion for non consensual infants or legalised
euthanasia for consensual adults?
Theoretically speaking ...
It could be argued that Jesus agreed to consensual euthanasia. He knew
exactly what was going to happen and He would suffer great pain. He had
the power to prevent it, but still chose the path of death as prophesied.
The terminally ill seeking euthanasia have also had their death prophesied
... by medical experts. But unlike Jesus, who suffered and died within
the day, they have to endure their physical agony for weeks, months, sometimes
years. Where is our compassion? Locked away in political poppycock, inherent
apathy or puritanical self-righteousness?
Those requesting consensual euthanasia are seeking our mercy ... to
end their immeasurable suffering, as their pain-wracked bodies inevitably
succumb to a disease that slowly but surely, eats them away. Is it mericiful
to prolong their agony? I think not. Should I find myself in such a situation,
legally or otherwise, I shall take my own life and know, that God, in His
Infinite Mercy, will understand, as we, who are made in His image, should
also have mercy and understanding.
I respectfully request this Synod, to give prayerful consideration to
the above, with the hope, that our Church will not endorse present action
to overturn legislation of the Northern Territory's Rights of the Terminally
Ill Act ... and before making your final decision, to probe your conscience
and ask yourselves ...
Has God given me His authority to irrefutably oppose another's free
will and
deny them their inalienable right to choose consensual euthanasia,
if that is their wish?'
Jan Peterson
Ballhannah Parish
Jan Petersen is a resident of Hahndorf, a popular tourist centre
35 km from Adelaide with a population of around 1800. The Anglican Diocese
of the Murray comprises a large section of country areas with headquarters
at Murray Bridge, 76 km south east of Adelaide, population 17000.
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