The Assisted Dying Bill has completed its committee stage which means that it should soon have its third and final reading in the House of Commons before moving to the House of Lords. There have been various reports on the bill’s committee stage in both the secular and Christian media. This has tended to focus… Continue reading Why we need a robust political theology in response to assisted dying
Tag: assisted dying
Ukraine, compromises and unpalatable choices
US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, was asked the other day what compromises the Russians were willing to make for peace in Ukraine. He had no answer to give because the Russians have no intention of making compromises and haven’t been asked to make any. That’s one reason why Trump finds them easier to talk to… Continue reading Ukraine, compromises and unpalatable choices
How Evangelicals were caught napping by the assisted dying bill
I believe that Evangelical Christians were caught unprepared for Kim Leadbeater’s private members’ bill currently going through parliament. It is telling first that the briefings circulating amongst Christians prior to the vote were suggesting that it would be much closer than it was. We were told that the vote was on a knife edge. I… Continue reading How Evangelicals were caught napping by the assisted dying bill
Pastoring the Grieving – Give them context
I noticed that this Sunday, a few churches made assisted dying and the Christian response their sermon topic. I couldn’t help think that it was a little bit late for this. Yes, the Bill has still got further stages to go but the wheels are already serving motion. More than that though, now is too… Continue reading Pastoring the Grieving – Give them context
The constitutional mess that the assisted dying bill is creating
This is not my primary reason for opposing Kim Leadbeater”s horrific bill. However, it is worth noting that there are relevant issues to consider in terms of how the bill is being brought forward.. First of all, there are human rights issues. These include that arbitrary distinctions are made between those suffering from terminal illness… Continue reading The constitutional mess that the assisted dying bill is creating
Abortion and assisted dying … The link
One of my concerns yesterday was that the arguments in the House of Commons were about pragmatics. There was no serious attempt to debate the principle of assisted dying. I get the impression that many MPs, even those who disagree with assisted dying in principle have accepted that it is going to come in at… Continue reading Abortion and assisted dying … The link
Pity as the enemy of compassion
The UK Parliament has just voted for a second reading of the bill to introduced assisted dying. I want to step back and reflect on the debate that was held in the House of Commons. I tuned in to the early stages of the debate and heard several of the speeches. What struck me was… Continue reading Pity as the enemy of compassion
Both opponents and proponents of assisted dying need to be open about faith presuppositions
The other day, I responded to Lord Falconer’s complaint that some MPs were bringing their faith into the debate on assisted dying. Today, Esther Rantzen has argued that opponents of assisted dying need to be open about their faith reasons. Well as it happens, I agree with her (kind of). You see, I’ve persistently argued… Continue reading Both opponents and proponents of assisted dying need to be open about faith presuppositions
Who is imposing their religious views?
The Justice Secretary Shabana Mahood has come out strongly against assisted dying. She has made it known that she has religious views that underpin her position. Lord Falconer who has himself attempted to bring an assisted dying law into force through the House of Lords has complained that people should not impose their religious views… Continue reading Who is imposing their religious views?
Assisted dying bill – why I’m not signing the EA’s letter
The Evangelical Alliance have produced a letter signed by some of the key lobbying groups such as Christian Concern etc and invited church leaders to add their names. I won’t be signing the letter and I thought it might be helpful to explain why, especially given that I’ve been trying to get people’s attention in… Continue reading Assisted dying bill – why I’m not signing the EA’s letter