An earlier version of this post was published by Patheos on Sept. 7, 2023 by Lois Kerschen In current discussions about programs like Canada’s Medical Assistance In Dying (MAID), I am reminded of an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation: “Half a Life,” which aired on May 6, 1991. (Clips of this episode are available on YouTube.) David Ogden Stiers plays a scientist who must abandon important research because he is turning 60, the age at which all people on his planet must perform the “Resolution,” a ritual act of voluntary euthanasia. The ritual is intended to relieve society from the res ..read more

by Ms. Boomer-ang   Sometimes strong arguments for the Right to Life do not receive the attention they deserve. For example, an important argument against euthanasia and assisted suicide is that people can be coerced into ending their lives in these ways. I was recently reminded of this strong-yet-sometimes-neglected argument when reading a piece criticizing euthanasia by Wesley J. Smith. The essay includes both very strong points and points that need strengthening. The strongest point the essay makes is that a “woman in the Netherlands [was] held down by her family as she struggled again ..read more

by Rachel MacNair   My first inclination when I thought about writing this post soon after the event was that I better not. It was a private event and my thoughts shouldn’t be broadcast for fear of invading privacy. But it’s now been publicized in The Washington Post, which is about as public as it gets. And in that article, I’m conscripted into a supporting role I never agreed to. I wasn’t named, but I was part of a group that was implied to be supportive of what happened (visiting Quakers) when I’m actually appalled. So writing this becomes an obligation. I listened in great consternati ..read more

by Sonja Morin   Sonja Morin Euthanasia has returned to legislative consideration in Massachusetts, my home state. For as long as I can remember, an attempt to introduce euthanasia into our state laws would rise up every couple of years like clockwork. And every time, the bill would be struck down soon enough, even if it was by a slim majority. This year’s euthanasia bill campaign feels different: that there is a potential for the euthanasia bill to succeed. The reason? The deceptive language, attitudes, and actions that continue to entrench our society in dehumanization.   “Not My ..read more

Lois Kerschen by Lois Kerschen   Palliative Care Legislatures around the world are increasingly passing bills that allow for euthanasia and assisted suicide. This is a trend we must resist, and we can do so by educating ourselves and others about palliative care.       Allow me to recommend an excellent book on this subject: That Good Night: Life and Medicine in the Eleventh Hour (2019), written by Dr. Sunita Puri.     This book is not technical or academic. It is biographical, easy to read, and a fascinating meditation on Dr. Puri’s experiences during her resi ..read more

by Katharine Gilchrist Angela Kennedy Consistent ethic advocate Angela Kennedy has died at the age of 57 (November 26, 2020). She was the editor of the anthology Swimming against the Tide: Feminist Dissent on the Issue of Abortion (1997), which covered the topic of the consistent life ethic. Angela leaves behind her daughter Stevie and son Sean. Her passion for many of the issues closest to her heart was informed by a succession of difficult life experiences. She faced many challenges and fought them with a fierceness that was an inspiration. Her background in nursing informed her oppositio ..read more

by Tara Zoe Roshe (pen name), republished with permission from her Medium blog   I am a disabled woman with rheumatoid arthritis, a disease that attacks the joints. I use a walker or a wheelchair in my daily life but was able-bodied a short 10 years ago. Over the past few years, my physical condition has gotten progressively worse. Assisted suicide has become legal in many parts of the United States. This makes me worry about where the medical field is heading. Legalized assisted suicide and killing the disabled My home state of New Jersey has legalized assisted suicide. The law is l ..read more

Sophie Trist by Sophie Trist The death of forty-six-year-old Michael Hickson of Austin, Texas from Covid-19 exists at the intersection of several critical social justice conversations: pervasive prejudice within the medical system, the devaluing of disabled lives during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the catastrophic effects of the novel corona virus on Black and Brown communities. But apart from pro-life groups and disability rights activists, the public has remained largely silent about this tragedy. Michael Hickson’s death—his medical murder—could have been a flash point for these crucial con ..read more

Due to giving medical details, the author wishes to remain anonymous. I am a disabled woman with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a disease that attacks the joints. I use a walker or a wheelchair in my daily life. I’m worried about where the medical field is heading. My home state of New Jersey has legalized assisted suicide, although there are currently legal battles over the law. The law is limited — but as we know, over time, they tend to expand the rules about who qualifies for assisted suicide. We’ve seen that in Canada, in the Netherlands; and in other countries. RA is a progressive disease. I ..read more

by Rachel MacNair For updated information starting January 6, 2020, see this constantly-updated website: Peace and Life Referendums The original post was published September 3, 2019, and revisions were added until January 6, when the website took over the function   A reminder: The Consistent Life Network doesn’t necessarily endorse everything said in its blog, since we encourage individual writers to express a variety of views. This is especially so when analyzing elections.   It used to be that when people said campaign season started on Labor Day (first Monday in September), they ..read more