Culture of Death, Alive and Well

The practice of euthanasia is again receiving attention thanks to its expansion in certain European nations such as Belgium and the Netherlands.  In the United States, the practice is technically illegal, though a slight variation of it known as physician assisted suicide or physician aid in dying is legal in four states (California, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington) and one county in a fifth state (New Mexico).  The difference between the two is a technicality.  In euthanasia, a physician (or other provider) administers the life-ending drug; in physician aid in dying, the patient actually administers the dose that is provided by the physician with full knowledge and understanding of what it is to be used for.  In certain nations in Europe, the threshold for what qualifies for euthanasia is shockingly low.  Autism, depression, dementia, and psychological disorders are all within the allowable conditions for which a physician in these nations can administer a lethal dose of medication.  Though there are review commissions established for the purpose of preventing the “abuse” of the procedure, only 0.08% of the implementations of euthanasia (out of 5,306 instances in 2014, only 4) were determined to have a “lack of due care.”  The culture of death, ironically, is alive and well.

Thinking about this in the larger context of our society, it’s hard not to see a pattern emerging.  Despite the world’s talk of inclusiveness and sensitivity, its actions are quite the opposite.  While preaching inclusiveness and acceptance, it advocates for the destruction of anyone who is different.  The number of abortions after a diagnosis of Down syndrome is tragically high, and as prenatal genetic screenings become more common, abortions for individuals with any number of potential defects or conditions is likely to rise.  In many parts of the world, sex-selective abortions are common.  Now, we discover that euthanasia advocates actively propose ending the lives of those who are autistic, depressed, or have some other psychological disorder (in case you might think I’m making more of this than what is warranted, this is precisely what advocates in Canada are suggesting in response to the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision to legalize euthanasia last year).  In other words, people who are different, who are outside of societal norms, who are less than human.  Not even 100 years ago, a popular theory called eugenics proposed precisely the same thing:  the eradication of those who are not the fittest within society.  I fail to discern the difference between then and now.

This shouldn’t surprise us as believers, since we know who has been given a measure of authority over the world system for a time.  Jesus described Satan as a murderer and liar (John 8:44), so the world system he oversees will seek to promulgate both of these things.  When we encounter the work of Satan’s system, remember that the work of Christ is greater by far.  We proclaim the Gospel because it is the power of God to save (Romans 1:16).  Don’t be discouraged; weep for those who are under the bondage of sin, but don’t be discouraged because God is actively working to bring His own to salvation and He is returning soon to bring the final victory over sin and death.  Hallelujah and Maranatha!  Just something to think about…