Dutch Euthanasia Doctors May Now Kill Perfectly Healthy Adults writes LifeSitenews.com “The Royal Dutch Medical Association has concluded, after a three-year investigation, that Dutch doctors ought to be able to kill patients who are not ill but who are judged to be “suffering through living.”
Assuming that everything in this article is accurate, I feel a twinge of guild because I don?t feel anything other than resigned to this as the logical outcome to the utilitarian and materialistic culture of not just the Dutch, but the secular West in general. It is depressing and frightening at the same time. I want to get angry, but at what? What good will it do? I fear that unless there is a drastic turnaround, Dutch society is gasping its last. What’s worse is that this depravity will probably creep across the Continent until, eventually, it becomes fashionable among the “enlightened” here in the US.
Michael, fight the dehumanizing ideas in every way you can. This can be won.
Ian McEwan wrote a short, satrical novel entitled “Amsterdam” which lampoons the entire Euthanasia movement and British liberals in general. Two friends promise to put each other of their misery if they ever see the other suffering, and that promise has unintended consequences.
The Dutch situation is exactly why we, as Christians, cannot put any hope or confidence in government or quasi-governmental organizations to accomplish anything of lasting value for people. Governments seek power and power both tends to corrupt and tends to dehumanize. Neither can our hope be in solely or even primarily in political means for that is not the nature or the purpose of the Church. Fr. Alexander Schmemann in For the Life of the World makes the point that the purpose of the Church is not to help, i.e., ameliorate our existence in the world, but rather to be a witness to the truth. Historically such witness has entailed the enmity of governments more often than their support.
Our task is to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. (Mt 6:25-33) We are given this task whether the world recognizes His righteousness or not. It is only in applying ourselves to our task that, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, victory will be won.
Nevertheless, IMO, the Bible clearly indicates that no such long-term victory will be forthcoming. The evil of men will increase, seeming to ensnare the very elect. Only in the fullness of time, with our Lord’s return will victory be achieved. In the meantime, we must watch and pray, setting our hope on God alone, trusting not our own desires and strength for He will save us.
I must admit to being somewhat surprised by their apparent inability to see the flaws in such ideas: some people who “have everything” are still wretchedly miserable and unhappy. Happiness is transient and comes and goes with the wind … surely they can’t possibly suggest we succumb to despair over a bad day at the office?