The Bible doesn’t give us neat answers on assisted suicide. But these 3 stories will help

As the conversation surrounding assisted suicide intensifies, Mark Woods considers the message of three stories from the Old Testament

Quite suddenly, assisted dying has become an urgent issue for the UK. Labour MP Kim Leadbeater has introduced the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill to Parliament, and the Commons will vote on 29 November. If the Bill becomes law, terminally ill people with less than six months to live will be able to choose to die with the help of a physician.  

It’s a move that raises profound moral questions, and passions run high. Both sides believe they’re acting in the best interests of suffering people. Those campaigning for people to be able to end their lives with the help of medical practitioners argue that people who are terminally ill and in pain should be allowed to do so; ‘my body, my choice’ is the slogan. Those against this point to the danger of assuming that choice is ‘free’ when it involves family pressure (even unspoken) over inheritance, for instance, and the uncertain provision of palliative care. If someone is terrified of dying in pain, uncared-for with feelings they’re a burden to their children or the state; their freedom is not really all that free.  

Cards on the table: I don’t think Christians can argue that it’s always wrong in principle to end a life early,