Life and Death

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a matter of life and death

If someone you loved, say your own elderly mother or a very close friend, was suffering unbearably, had lost all quality of life, and dignity, and wanted to die … What would you want for them? Would you be assured that they would be called home in God’s good time? Or would you want to help them towards a gentle release? The answer isn’t easy. For Christians, ethical and moral dilemmas rarely are. Some will see a clear theological imperative; the view of others will be influenced by traumatic personal experience.

A proposal to allow terminally ill people to end their lives – Lord Joffe’s Bill Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill – was opposed by many doctors and was defeated in the House of Lords in May this year. However, a parliamentary momentum for change remains, with some of those who favour legalising a form of euthanasia, suggesting that it is ‘only the churches’ who are resistant.

Whilst some denominations do have a clear stance, it is not an issue that the United Reformed Church has discussed. This article is part of an initiative to gauge the mood of the Church, with a view to bringing a resolution before General Assembly 2007. It is intended to stimulate debate. If you have views on the questions posed, or want to make a particular point, please contribute to the letters pages of Reform or email the Church and Society office at church.society@urc.org.uk

What is Euthanasia and ‘Assisted Dying’ ?

Euthanasia is the bringing about of a gentle death, in the case of incurable and painful disease. The Assisted Dying Bill, which may return to Parliament in a different form, would have enabled an adult of sound mind, who was suffering unbearably as a result of terminal illness, to receive medical assistance to die. It suggested a number of safeguards, including:

Medical confirmation that the person was of sound mind, had a terminal illness, and was suffering unbearably
A specialist in palliative care to discuss other options with the patient
A second doctor to confirm the diagnosis
A solicitor and an unbiased witness to satisfy themselves that the criteria had been fulfilled
The patient to be given fourteen days to change her/his mind.

What about a ‘Living Will’?

Some see this as an alternative option. The individual draws up a legal document, while mentally alert, expressing preferences regarding health care and treatment in the event of incapacity. A Living Will can, for instance, say whether a person wants to be resuscitated or kept alive artificially.

Context

Once, we acknowledged death, but sex was taboo. Now, sex is discussed freely, but death less so. There are superstitions, fears and guilt – especially about untimely death.

Each of us will have a different threshold of pain, and attitude to suffering. We will have our own thoughts, beliefs and fears. Many will say they are not afraid of death itself, but afraid of the manner of dying. They are fearful of unmanageable pain. Some are afraid of dementia and the loss of personality, ability to communicate, dignity and awareness. There is a fear of life-threatening diseases – and their treatment.

Each of us will draw on life events. We may have witnessed the death of a loved one. For some, this will have been traumatic; for others, it will have been peaceful and uplifting. Those who have seen others suffer in a professional capacity – doctors, nurses, chaplains – will have a particular perspective on the reality of suffering and death.

As Christians we believe in the sanctity of human life. It is God given and not ours to extinguish. We also accept that we are mortal, and have a finite life span on earth. We believe in life after death and the promise of eternal life. There is a sense in which death is the ultimate healing.

We believe in living the Christian life in all its fullness within the limitations of our circumstances. Our Christian life is manifest by showing and sharing our Christian love, care and concern for one another.

Before considering these questions, you are encouraged to pause, reflect and pray

As Christians how does our faith affect our views?
What is the ‘ideal’ death?
Are we worried about becoming a burden, restricting the lives of carers, using up family resources, and not getting good care?
What are people most afraid of when they die? Being alone? Unbearable pain? Loss of dignity? Being trapped in a body that has become a tomb?
What does ‘quality of life’ mean?
With modern technology it is possible to keep people alive artificially, even when vital organs have failed. How do we feel about that? Do we need to make a distinction between assisting someone to die who still has quality of life, and withdrawing medical intervention at the right time? Do we also need to recognise that some palliative treatment makes the patient more comfortable and pain free, but also hastens death?
What is our fear about Assisted Dying? That it will be abused by doctors, relatives, nursing homes or hospitals? That there will be untimely deaths of the helpless? Does it send out the wrong signals to society?
Suffering is a part of life, but when it becomes unbearable do we have a duty to release the sufferer rather than prolong it?
Could Living Wills be a way to release someone from prolonged unconsciousness, extreme and terminal pain and loss of all quality of life?

These questions have implications for the Church in its care of the terminally ill and the chronically sick, and in the pastoral care of both sufferers and carers. Whilst focussing upon Assisted Dying, we should not overlook the fact that more resources need to be put into providing high quality, and readily available, palliative care. There is also a need for good communication between doctor, patient, family and friends. Above all, people need to have confidence in their manner of dying. A timely, gentle and peaceful death in a loving, caring situation is what most of us wish for.

This briefing was compiled by the Revd Delia Bond,
co-ordinator of the URC health and healing network,
and Stuart Dew, secretary for Church and Society

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a matter of life and death