Monthly Archives: July 2016

The Daily Signal: When Assisted Suicide Becomes Coercion

Assisted suicide 2

Source: The Daily Signal

By: Hans von Spakovsky

Even the best intentions cannot reverse the insidious effects of a wrong policy. When those who advocate for assisted suicide cite a benevolent desire to relieve suffering, the horrifying results of such a practice still lie just beneath the surface.

Recently, an elderly Vermont woman found herself repeatedly pressured to commit assisted suicide. Her grave ailment? Only a broken wrist. Nevertheless, staff at her rehab center “repeatedly asked the elderly woman if she was in pain or depressed; then they would remind her that she could commit doctor-prescribed suicide under the new law.”

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TheStar.com: Disability Rights Groups Especially Sensitive to Dangers of Assisted Suicide

Elderly holding hands

Source: thestar.com

By Dow Marmur

Two years ago, when assisted suicide legislation had been again on the agenda in Canada, I wrote on this page: “My faith teaches that life is God’s gift and, therefore, sacred. For humans to take it away in murder or suicide is criminal and sinful. Despite its claim to compassion, assisted suicide may be of that ilk.”

In view of the current debate around Bill C-14 I’d like to reaffirm my advocacy for effective palliative care in place of one or other version of the bill. I wrote then that “my faith also teaches that as God’s creatures we’re obligated to lighten the burden of others and do our utmost to relieve them of suffering. Palliative care for the terminally ill is of that ilk.”

I’m not alone in this among my colleagues. Statements by two Canadian rabbis as reported in the Canadian Jewish News (CJN) reflect a similar view.

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