Express & Star

'Christianity emphasises love, mercy, and self-sacrifice' - Your Letters: April 10

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Sebastian Coe beating his own indoor 800 metres best by over a second at RAF Cosford. He finished in one minute, 44.91 seconds.

Plus
Published
Picture from the Archive: Sebastian Coe beating his own indoor 800 metres best by over a second at RAF Cosford. He finished in one minute, 44.91 seconds.
Picture from the Archive: Sebastian Coe beating his own indoor 800 metres best by over a second at RAF Cosford. He finished in one minute, 44.91 seconds.

WHY I OPPOSE ASSISTED DYING

The debate over assisted death in the House of Commons highlights society's focus on self-gratification and pain avoidance, with Christianity's influence waning in ethical discussions.

Christians uphold that everyone, created in God's image, has inherent dignity, yet many view themselves as "burdens," ignoring our shared human experience of dependence.

Christianity emphasises love, mercy, and self-sacrifice, valuing human dignity and societal flourishing over convenience and suffering avoidance. This contrast to humanism, which measures worth by individual achievements, leads to a distorted view of life where reliance on others is seen as a burden.

Consequently, we see tragic outcomes, stemming from a selfish mindset that prioritises individual intentions over human dignity. Our lives are gifts beyond our control, and how we use them reflects our values—legalising assisted dying risks further eroding our understanding of what it means to be human and humane.