Society

Christian group supports euthanasia

Euthanasia is again in the headlines following the South Australian Parliament’s provisional support to provide medical doctors with a legal defence against the assisted suicide of terminally ill patients.

Traditionally, Christians, churches and Christian lobby groups, such as the Australian Christian Lobby, have vehemently opposed any form of euthanasia; that is until now.

‘Christians for Voluntary Euthanasia’ was created by a retired Baptist Reverend in 2009 and has played a significant role in garnering the support of South Australian Members of Parliament for the current euthanasia bill.

Reverend Trevor Bensch, a former Minister at North Adelaide Baptist Church and now a hospital chaplain for the Baptist Church, has been noted by the Australian Greens Party as one of the influencing factors in the bill receiving as much support as it has.

Reverend Bensch says the primary purpose of the organisation is to “make it known that many committed Christians support choice for voluntary euthanasia, holding it to be consistent with Jesus' message of love and compassion”.

“It is intended that all statements be moderate, respectful and based on facts,” he said.

“We are an ecumenical group, with Catholic, Anglican, Uniting, Lutheran, Baptist, Unitarian, Church of Christ and Jehovah's Witness denominations already represented.”

Christians for Voluntary Euthanasia is unapologetic for their desire to influence the thoughts of other Christians citing a desire to ‘educate’ and ‘inform’ others of the fact that Christians can support euthanasia.

“Christians supporting choice for Voluntary Euthanasia also endeavours to educate the public through the media that there is strong public support amongst the more enlightened and thinking Christians for our legal right to make end of life decisions, countering the mis-information put forward by religious opposition to every person’s right to a dignified and pain-free death,” said Reverend Bensch.

It is doubtful the organisation will receive much, if any, support from churches, and from the wider Christian community, however, it is clear the organisation is heavily influencing debate on the subject.

The current bill before the South Australian Parliament has been referred to a parliamentary committee for final examination before going to a final vote expected in the coming months.

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