On June 9, the New York State Senate passed a bill legalizing physician-assisted suicide for the terminally ill. The New York legislature in 2019 celebrated the passing of a bill legalizing abortion up to birth. Once again, they have contributed to the culture of death in this state. The NYS Senate voted to legalize physician-assisted suicide if the patient has been diagnosed with a terminal disease. Let’s take a look.
The “Medical Aid in Dying” Act
This legislation was introduced over ten years ago by the New York State legislature. The bill narrowly passed in the Senate Monday night by a 35-27 margin. Six Democrats voted against the bill. New York State has now joined other states and countries that allow physicians to kill their terminally ill patients. Not surprisingly, the other U.S. states that allow physician-assisted suicide are predominantly liberal. The bill now goes to Governor Kathy Hochul, who is sure to sign it into law.
The description in the text of the bill is:
“To provide that a mentally competent, terminally ill patient may request medication to be self-administered for the purpose of hastening the patient’s death provided the requirements set forth in the act are met, and to provide certain protection and immunities to health care providers and other persons, including a physician who prescribes medication in compliance with the provisions of the article to the terminally ill patient to be self-administered by the patient.”
While the bill does require physician approval, doctors will decide life and death, replacing God in this scenario.
Is this Humane or Are We Replacing God?
This is a very polarizing subject. Is this humanely ending suffering or taking away the opportunity to let God find the good in this situation? It’s hard to imagine that there can be good in this situation, but God always does. How often have families put aside their differences and come together to support their loved one? While rare, there have been times when someone diagnosed as terminally ill suddenly recovers their health. Some patients with advanced-stage cancer have experienced complete remission without medical intervention. Many recovered patients offer hope and guidance to others facing similar circumstances. God had more planned for them to do. Our God is a God of miracles.
It is tough watching a loved one suffer until death. Unfortunately, I have experienced this firsthand. God experienced this with the death of His son, Jesus, on the cross. Jesus taught that suffering was part of God’s greater plan. Acts 3:18 states:
“But God has thus brought to fulfillment what he had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer.”
Jesus encouraged His disciples to endure suffering with faith. Jesus cried out to God while on the cross in Matthew 27:46, yet He still fulfilled God’s will :
“And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”* which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
In a world where lethal injection is decried at times as “inhumane,” New York State just allowed doctors to help their patients commit suicide. This is a sad day for New York and for the sanctity of human life.
Please let me know your thoughts on this article in the “Comments” section.
Peace
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