Euthanasia Laws Versus Religion and the Morality of Killing

The practices of euthanasia and/or assisted suicide have been legalized in a small number of countries and states around the world (Pereira, 2011). The terms “euthanasia” and “assisted suicide” both refer to the rermination of life on one’s request. In the case of euthanasia, the physician has to apply the fatal drug to the patient. By contrast, in assisted suicide the physician provides the drug but the patient administers it (Government of the Netherlands, n.d.). A voluntary decision not contaminated with undue influence is the essential criterion that gives voluntary euthanasia and/or assisted suicide its legitimacy (Pope & Okninski, 2016). Globally, in all jurisdictions, laws and precautions have been implemented to prevent abuse and misuse of these practices. This include, but are not limited to, explicit consent of the patient, mandatory reporting of all cases, administration only by medical professionals, consultations by sa second physician, review committees, etc. (Pereira, 2011).

Currently, these voluntary practices are legally available in Switzerland, in the Netherlands, in Belgium, Luxembourg, in several U. S. states, Canada, Colombia and parts of Australia (My Death, My Decision, 2018). In Switzerland assisted suicide was decriminalized during the enlightenment; it is legal as long as the person who assists does not have selfish motives and the patient is a fully competent adult who does the act themselves. Voluntary euthanasia, (e.g., someone assisting and giving a lethal injection) is prohibited in Switzerland. Switzerland is unique as the only country which provides suicide assistance to foreign nationals (My Death, My Decision, 2020). In the Netherlands both voluntary euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide have been accepted since the 1980s and legalized in 2002. The practices are aimed at people experiencing unbearable suffering without the possibility of improvement. In practice, Dutch nationals prefer euthanasia to doctor assisted suicide. There is no requirement to be “terminally ill”, and there is no obligatory waiting period. Like the Netherlands, the Belgium has legalized both practices in 2002; the main difference is that the Belgian law prescribes a one-month waiting period before euthanasia can be performed in non-terminally ill patients. In Luxembourg, voluntary euthanasia was legalized in 2009. Colombia had approved voluntary euthanasia in 1997; it is the only jurisdiction that requires the prior approval of requests by an independent committee. Canada (since 2016), medically assisted suicide and euthanasia are legalized. In Quebec, only euthanasia is allowed (since 2014). Both apply for people experiencing unbearable suffering. In the US, Oregon (1997) became the first state to legalize doctor-assisted suicide for terminally-ill adults (i.e., survival of six months or less). Washington State adopted the law in 2008, followed by Vermont (2013); California (2016); Colorado (2016); Washington DC (2017); Hawaii (2018); New Jersey (2019); and Maine (2019). All assisted deaths must be reported. As per Australia, In Victoria assisted suicide became legal in Victoria (2019) and Western Australia (2019) for people who are terminally ill with a life expectancy of 6 months or less, extended to 12 months in case of neurodegenerative illnesses (My Death, My Decision, 2020).

From a religious perspective, most religions disapprove of euthanasia and some absolutely forbid it. For example, the Roman Catholic church is one of the most active opponents of euthanasia. From a very simplistic point of view, some Eastern religions take a different approach to euthanasia. The central ideas in their attitudes to death are freedom from mortal life, and not-harming living beings. Euthanasia explicitly conflicts with the second idea, and it interferes with the first (Campbell, 2000).

In a general Christian view (BBC, 2009), I argue Christians are mainly opponents of euthanasia. This decision is based on the belief that life is a gift of God and people are made in God’s image – all equal and important. Moreover, opting for euthanasia or assisted suicide would mean interfering with the natural process of death.

Proposing euthanasia and suicide also means making the decision that someone’s life (e.g., elderly, disabled people, terminally ill people) is not worthwhile which goes against the idea of worth and dignity of a person. Moreover, a person should not ask for euthanasia for themselves because no-one has the right to value anyone. In that sense, advocates of the quality of life approach have irrelevant arguments.

However, some ideas in Christianity may be interpreted contrasting the general view that euthanasia is a bad thing. First, Christianity requires people to respect every human being, which would imply respecting their decisions about life and death. An interesting question would be how to address and asses the situation in which a person refuses further treatment because it causes suffering and it may only provide several weeks or months to live.

Nonetheless, I argue that Christians should turn to better end of life care and care for the dying and terminally ill people. Moreover, the community should provide the best palliative care to the extent possible and treat people with honesty and support. In that sense, religious people, laymen and professional, should help the terminally ill irrespective of their religious orientation and show empathy and support, while being open for discussion.

References

1. BBC (2009). Euthanasia and assisted dying. https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/christianethics/euthanasia_1.shtml#top
2. Campbell, C. S. (2000). Euthanasia and Religion. UNESCO Courier. https://www.questia.com/magazine/1G1-60027956/euthanasia-and-religion
3. Government of the Netherlands (n.d.). Euthanasia, assisted suicide and non-resuscitation on request. https://www.government.nl/topics/euthanasia/euthanasia-assisted-suicide-and-non-resuscitation-on-request
4. My Death, My Decision (2020). Assisted Dying in Other Countries. https://www.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/info/assisted-dying-in-other-countries/
5. Pereira, J. (2011). Legalizing euthanasia or assisted suicide: the illusion of safeguards and controls. Current Oncology, 18(2), e38-e45.
6. Pope, T. M., & Okninski, M. E. (2016). Legal Standards for Brain Death and Undue Influence in Euthanasia Laws. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 13(2), 173–178. doi:10.1007/s11673-016-9718-0