Life-affirming message of the Paralympics should make assisted suicide unthinkable – CARE

Assisted suicide denies the idea, central to the Paralympic Games, that every human being has intrinsic dignity and value, CARE for Scotland has said.

In this year’s games, 21 Scottish athletes took part individually or in team events, securing eleven gold medals, eight silver medals, and one bronze medal.

Noting the "incredible achievements" of Scottish athletes, Dr Stuart Weir, Head of CARE for Scotland, commented:

“A country like Scotland, which celebrates the Paralympic Games and the incredible achievements of disabled athletes, should remain strongly opposed to assisted suicide. The Paralympics underscored an important truth: that all human beings have intrinsic dignity and value. This doesn’t depend on our ability, age, sex or any other factor but the fact that we are made in the image of God

“Assisted suicide is incompatible with this understanding of human dignity as it says some lives are ‘not worth living’ and can be ended. If the current Bill passes, people with serious health conditions – including disabled people and highly vulnerable older people – will be placed in this category. This would have devastating consequences for individuals and society as a whole.

“The experience of other countries shows that removing blanket protections for human beings leads to a cheapening of human life, which begins to be viewed in increasingly utilitarian terms. Suicide becomes a ‘right’ to be accessed by growing numbers of people, rather than a tragedy to be prevented. Struggling people are offered a counsel of despair, rather than hope and help.

“‘Safeguards’ are worthless. Every human system involves error, and no number of checks and balances can rule out a person opting for assisted suicide because they feel like a burden, are being coerced, or feel like there is no other option for them due to a lack adequate support. The only way to prevent such outcomes is to keep the door closed to assisted suicide.”

Dr Weir continued:

“For centuries, Scotland has understood that human beings are uniquely precious, that the destruction of human life is wrong, and that the circumstances of a person’s life do not change this. Life is still precious and worthy of protection if an individual has lost their independence as a result of a serious illness, and when a person denies the value of their own life.

“When a person encounters suffering, or fear of death, or feelings of worthlessness and despair, the moral response is meeting that person’s physical, mental and spiritual needs whilst also protecting their life. This happens in Scotland every single day. Assisting the suicide of a struggling person through an overdose of drugs is not right or compassionate.

“MSPs are being asked a profound moral question with the Bill at Holyrood: Will they continue to affirm the dignity and worth of every citizen, or decide that some people don’t qualify for full protection and affirmation? The former approach has helped our society to flourish, and ensured protection for vulnerable people. The latter would devalue life and inspire injustice.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors

CARE for Scotland is a social policy charity, bringing Christian insight to the policies and laws that affect our lives. Contact us: press@care.org.uk