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ESM Church Camp 2013
THE RIGHT TO DIE? WORKSHOP
Workshop Program
1. Euthanasia Explained
2. Case Study: Tony Nicklinson
3. Euthanasia Movement in Australia
4. Open Discussion
1. EUTHANASIA EXPLAINED
What is Euthanasia?
Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending another person’s life to relieve pain and suffering.
Under the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW):
Crime Section Penalty
Euthanasia (Murder) 18 Life or 25 years
Suicide 31A None
Aiding a Suicide 31C(a) 10 years
Inciting or Counselling a Suicide 31C(b) 5 years
Legal History of Euthanasia in Australia
1996: Euthanasia is legalised in the Northern Territory (world first) under the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act 1996 (NT). Four safeguards:
1. Terminally ill (specialist doctor)2. Palliative care (palliative care doctor)3. Mentally sane (psychiatrist)4. Express written consent (applicant)
1997: Federal Parliament overturns the legalisation
2013: Euthanasia remains a crime today in all states and territories
Who is Euthanasia Practised To?
Generally to those who are seriously ill. This includes those:
In a coma
With terminal illnesses
In unrelievable pain, e.g. cancer
Suffering from Alzheimer’s disease
Who are paraplegic or quadriplegic
Who are losing or have lost their senses, e.g. sight, hearing
Belgian Twins Killed By Doctors in Unique Euthanasia Case
Marc and Eddy Verbessem, 45, were both born deaf and sought to end their lives after learning they would also imminently go blind. The pair were euthanased by lethal injection by doctors at Brussels University Hospital on December 14. “They were very happy. It was a relief to see the end of their suffering,” supervising doctor David Dufour told RTL television news.
Why is Euthanasia Practised?
No physical capacity to commit suicide
Religious beliefs
No access to knowledge or resources to commit suicide
Social stigma and embarrassment for their families
How is Euthanasia Practised?
Voluntary Euthanasia Lethal injection Lethal pills Painkiller overdose (legal)
Non-Voluntary Euthanasia Withholding of food and water (legal) Withholding of medical treatment (legal)
Where is Euthanasia Practised?
Legalised Euthanasia: Belgium (2002), Netherlands (2002), Luxembourg (2009) Legalised Assisted Suicide: Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland,
Albania, Oregon, Washington, Montana. Japan has no official laws but two local court cases which legalises euthanasia.
2. CASE STUDY: TONY NICKLINSON
Case Study: Tony Nicklinson
Case Study: Tony Nicklinson
Watch film clips.
Should Tony be granted the right to die? Why? Why not?
How would you act if you were in his position?
Instant Poll: Would you support the legalisation of
euthanasia?
3. EUTHANASIA MOVEMENT IN AUSTRALIA
The Growing Momentum of Euthanasia: 2011
In January 2011, the Australian Institute released the results of a national survey on the legalisation of euthanasia for people experiencing unrelievable physical and/or mental suffering.
75%
13%
12%
SupportAgainstNot Sure
The Growing Momentum of Euthanasia: 2011
The Growing Momentum of Euthanasia: 2012
In November 2012, a Newspoll survey found 82% of all Australians supporting legalisation.
The Euthanasia Movement in Australia
Dr Philip Nitschke (Doctor Death) is the Founder & Director of Exit International.
Exit International is a leading euthanasia/ assisted suicide information & advocacy organisation based in Australia.
In 1996, Nitschke became the first physician in the world to administer a legal, lethal voluntary injection in the NT.
He now leads information workshops on how to commit suicide in a peaceful manner for elderly and seriously ill people.
The Deliverance Machine, Created by Dr Nitschke
4. OPEN DISCUSSION
Arguments For Euthanasia
People do not want to be subject to prolonged suffering or indignity
People do not want to be burdens to those around them
People believe they have a right to choose when to die
Laws have adequate safeguards
Arguments Against Euthanasia
The are other positive ways out of suffering other than euthanasia, e.g. palliative care, hospices
Euthanasia means that life in it’s later stages has no value, is a burden, is undignified
Vulnerable people such as those facing terminal illnesses and are likely to have depression, need to be protected
It is impossible to make a law with proper safeguards. In the Benelux countries, many are euthanased without terminal illnesses or consent
The Bible vs Euthanasia
Exodus 20:13, “You shall not murder. We need to obey God, not men and his moral
relativism!
Genesis 9:5-6, And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man. “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.
We are made in God’s image and God gives us life. Life itself is of the utmost significant value. It is so significant and valuable that God requires a reckoning for any murder. Who are we to decide when a life has no value or is a burden?
The Bible vs Euthanasia
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Contrary to what we believe, we do not actually own our bodies. They were given to us by God and also bought with the blood of Jesus. God owns our bodies and determines when we die. We have no right to choose when.
Romans 5:3-5, More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Suffering ultimately leads to hope. How we act during times of suffering has an enormous impact to those around us, especially non-Christians. How can we use our suffering to show the hope that we have in Christ? Remember, our faith can only be complete after persevering through trials and temptations, James 1:4.
The Bible vs Euthanasia: WWJD?
How did Job or Jesus respond to suffering? Did they curse God or run away or commit suicide or ask to be euthanased?
They persevered! NO!
Job persevered in his sufferings and afflictions, one after the other. Job 1:21, And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Jesus stayed on the cross till the end. He drunk the full cup of the Father’s wrath. Luke 22:42,“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
Euthanasia Final Poll
Instant Poll: Would you support the legalisation of
euthanasia? Why? Why not?
Is euthanasia ever appropriate? If yes, under what conditions?
Euthanasia vs abortion vs armed services
