This time I will deal with three issues under the heading, “End of Life Issues.” The first issue is entitled in the Social Principles as, “Faithful Care for Dying Persons.” The Social Principles state, “Care for dying persons is part of our stewardship of the divine gift of life when cure is no longer possible. Dying persons and their families are free to discontinue treatments when they cease to be of benefit to the patient.” (Discipline paragraph 161M)
There is a point at which further medical treatments will not provide a cure, will not increase quality of life, and will on delay death and prolong suffering. In those cases medical treatments, including life support, may be withdrawn or withheld and only comfort measures and pain relief provided. The patient is kept as comfortable as possible and nature is allowed to take its course. I stand in gratitude and awe of the Hospice movement and the people involved with it who provide this wonderful ministry.
However, a distinction must be made between allowing a person to die with dignity and an actions on the part of the patient or others to cause or hasten death. When these actions are performed by others it is known as euthanasia and when other people assist the patient in these actions it is known as assisted suicide. The Social Principles reject both of these as morally unacceptable. (See Discipline paragraph 161M, N)
The second issue is the issue of suicide. The Social Principles state, “We believe that suicide is not the way a human life should end. Often suicide is the result of untreated depression, or untreated pain and suffering... A Christian perspective on suicide begins with an affirmation of faith that nothing, including suicide, separates us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39). Therefore, we deplore the condemnation of people who complete suicide, and we consider unjust the stigma that so often falls on surviving family and friends.”
There was a time when many believed that suicide was an automatic trip to hell. I cannot stress enough that I, and United Methodists in general, DO NOT believe this. The grace of God in Jesus Christ is sufficient to forgive anything, even suicide. We as the church need to reach out to those who are at risk for suicide and see that they get the help they need. And, we need to reach out in comfort to those who have had loved ones commit suicide.
Finally, we need to discuss the issue of the death penalty. The Social Principles state, “We believe the death penalty denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore and transform all human beings... For this reason, we oppose the death penalty (capital punishment) and urge its elimination from all criminal codes.” Setting aside all legal, practical, and personal arguments, we believe that Jesus Christ has to power to transform the life of anyone and everyone, therefore we are opposed to the death penalty.
In all of these issues the common theme is our belief that human life is a gift from God and that we are all stewards of that gift in ourselves and in one another. While there may come a time when we are not required to prolong life, we are always required to care for it, and we never have the authority to end it.
