This summer someone asked if I might provide an interview on the subject of assisted suicide. For some reason, the interview didn't happen but the prospect gave me new cause to consider the matter. The idea of assisted suicide has received new attention through various court challenges recently to the old Canadian law that prohibits such action. The main argument in favour is that this decision ought to be an individual right in certain circumstances when properly regulated.
Most religions share the belief that suicide in any circumstances is morally wrong because of what is understood as the sanctity of life. No doubt this intuitive idea is why the law prohibiting suicide in any form has existed for so long. The Christian view based on the Bible is that human life is distinctly precious because God has created people in His own image (Genesis 1:26).
Furthermore, Christians believe that God is directly involved in the creation of each life (Psalm 139:13, 15), and that the length of our lives is really His prerogative (Psalm 139:16). Therefore He has commanded that we should not murder (Exodus 20:3) which it is believed also includes the taking of one's own life. Beyond that, Christians also believe that suffering in this world is ultimately the result of the human fall into sin (Genesis 3) but that life has been redeemed through the suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross for the sin of the whole world (John 3:16). Not only will pain and suffering ultimately be overcome but in this life these can actually become means of blessing through faith in Christ. Additionally, Christians believe, it's possible for sufferers to experience God's miraculous healing intervention in any particular instance.
A more pragmatic view suggests that the argument for assisted suicide is a slippery slope since, for one thing science isn't always able to determine in any absolute sense when a person will die. Recent documented instances have demonstrated that terminally ill people can actually recover and go on living. Also, some would say, people who consider assisted suicide because of pain are naturally vulnerable to exploitation by loved ones and friends due to the subject's physical or psychological weakness. And why not rather do more to encourage organizations like the Hospice Society which exist to provide compassionate care while addressing both psychological and physical pain? But those who support assisted suicide believe these arguments should not take precedence over an individual's right to decide on their own death since such an action doesn't bring harm to anyone else.
But, specific religious views aside, allowing for assisted suicide can't help but change the cultural view of the nature of life in Canadian society. While there may be a place for withdrawing life support systems for those who are brain-dead, such action is a far cry from actually assisting suicide. The question really is whether a person's individual right is more important than this cultural value about the preservation of life.
