Question:
Is euthanasia right? Would God want us to suffer?
Answer: Euthanasia is a
controversial and divisive topic. Contested interpretations of its
legal status, practice, and morality abound. In the Bahá’í
Faith, moral determinations such as euthanasia are made on the basis of
revealed law found in Bahá’u’lláh’s sacred writings. If these
determinations do not exist, Bahá’ís have recourse to the
authorised interpretations of those same writings by
‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1844-1921) , his eldest son and appointed successor, or
Shoghi Effendi (1897-1921), ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s appointed successor. To
date, no ruling on euthanasia has been found to exist in Bahá’í
scripture or in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh’s authorised
interpreters.
Since 1963, these determinations are made by the elected nine member
Universal House of Justice, seated at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa,
Israel. However, the Universal House of Justice has yet to make any
ruling on this matter. Euthanasia or mercy killing is left,
consequently, “to the consciences of those concerned who must weigh the
medical advice on the case in the light of general guidance given in
the [Bahá’í] Teachings.” Besides this general guideline, the Bahá’í
teachings generally follow the precept that “God, the Giver of life,
can alone dispose of it as He deems best.” Such decisions must be made
by families and physicians, and where applicable, the patients
themselves.
Naturally, any such decisions must also be made in light of current
Canadian law. In Canada, both active and passive euthanasia, including
physician-assisted suicide, are illegal. But on June 15, 2012
the Supreme Court of British Columbia struck down the illegality of
physician-assisted suicide in cases of the severely disabled who were
able to signify their assent. The judgement is under appeal by the
federal government who took the position that current law reflects the
will of the people through Parliament.
A “living will” with a “do not resuscitate” clause is the most sensible
solution to this possible dilemma. A living will could help the family
and medical staff to reach a decision. But there is no guarantee in law
that a living will must be followed. The laws governing living wills
are a legal dilemma. Litigation of specific test-cases has determined
the law regarding euthanasia. It is likely that this trend
will continue. -
Jack
McLean
