New Zealand votes to legalize euthanasia (physician-assisted suicide), but not recreational marijuana
Anti-euthanasia poster (Unsplash photo)
New Zealand voters went for legalized physician-assisted suicide:
New Zealand votes to legalize euthanasia but not marijuana
October 30, 2020
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealanders voted to legalize euthanasia in a binding referendum, but preliminary results released Friday showed they likely would not legalize recreational marijuana use.
With about 83% of votes counted, New Zealanders emphatically endorsed the euthanasia measure with 65% voting in favor and 34% voting against.
The “No” vote on marijuana was much closer, with 53% voting against legalizing the drug for recreational use and 46% voting in favor. That left open a slight chance the measure could still pass once all special votes were counted next week, although it would require a huge swing. …
The euthanasia measure, which would also allow assisted suicide and takes effect in November 2021, would apply to adults who have terminal illnesses, are likely to die within six months, and are enduring “unbearable” suffering. Other countries that allow some form of euthanasia include The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Canada, Belgium and Colombia.
“It is a victory for all New Zealand as we become a more compassionate and humane society,” said lawmaker David Seymour, of the libertarian ACT Party. “Thousands of New Zealanders who might have suffered excruciating deaths will have choice, dignity, control, and autonomy over their own bodies, protected by the rule of law.”
But Dr. John Kleinsman, an ethicist for the New Zealand Catholic Bishops, said the vote put vulnerable people on a dangerous path. He said the mere option of euthanasia would be a burden and pressure for many ailing people and their families, as well as for healthcare and religious workers. https://apnews.com/article/referendums-marijuana-elections-euthanasia-new-zealand-0023a13c7bcfdd431c353adbf284e28b
Yes, it is a wrong and dangerous path for people to kill other people. Voting is supposed to show the will of the people–and the will of the people to support murder is wrong. (And it looks like further attempts to get marijuana voted in will happen.)
Here is some information:
Active euthanasia involves “the direct administration of a lethal substance to the patient by another party with merciful intent”… Physician-assisted suicide refers to a medical professional aiding a patient in terminating their life upon the patient’s request. (Med Princ Pract. 2019 Jun; 28(3): 199–207)
Basically, euthanasia is a form of intentional poisoning.
The late USA Dr. Jack Kevorkian (nicknamed “Dr. Death”) pushed for physician-assisted suicide during his life. And sadly, it has been approved in 8 states in the USA, plus the District of Columbia.
“Dr. Death”
Here is some information about him:
3 June 2011
Jack Kevorkian, the controversial American doctor who claimed to have assisted more than 100 suicides, has died aged 83.
To his critics, he was Dr Death. To other detractors, Jack the Dripper.
Kevorkian was given plenty of nicknames after receiving international attention in the 1990s, throughout which he waged a defiant campaign to help people end their lives. …
His career ignited in 1989 when he demonstrated his “suicide machine” on television and even had business cards printed advertising his services …
Wesley J Smith, author and leading campaigner against assisted suicide, says the media fawned over him and failed to see the damage he wrought.
“I think his more important place in contemporary history was as a dark mirror that reflected how powerful the avoidance of suffering has become as a driving force in society, and indeed, how that excuse seems to justify nearly any excess.”
Kevorkian was prophetic in calling for the creation of euthanasia clinics, which now exist in Switzerland, says Smith. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-13649381
As far as media acceptance, notice something from decades ago:
The abortion attitude is already being extended to newborn infants. Pro-abortionists themselves are becoming bolder in admitting the connection. Thus Dr. Robert Crist, testifying before the Louisiana state legislature, said that he was just as comfortable killing a newborn child. a week old as a week before birth, and that only lawyers haggle over this point of birth as having any special significance (“A New Conscience of the Pro-Life Movement,” Conservative Digest, December, 1979, p. 19).
The liberal, pro-abortion New Republic reflects the same attitude. The following words were taken from its July 2; 1977, editorial on abortion. The words accurately reflect the magazine’s position. They also reflect just where the abortion attitude leads:
“Metaphysical arguments about the beginning of life are fruitless. But there is clearly no logical or moral distinction between a fetus and a young baby; free availability of abortion cannot be reasonably distinguished from euthanasia. Nevertheless we are for it. It is too facile to say that human life is always sacred; obviously it is not…” (Calkins K. The Silent Holocaust. Plain Truth, September 1980)
The atheistic media is all about its own wants and desires. They do not understand God’s plan, so they see no value in allowing suffering as they view it. They are among those who believe they “have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). But you do not have to be in ignorance like the media is. To learn more about God’s plan, check out the free online book: The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You?
Related to infanticide, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put out the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:
February 23, 2019 was declared a ‘day of mourning’ by some concerned about infanticide and other ramifications of the State of New York’s “Reproductive Health Act.” The American College of Pediatricians reported they were grieved by efforts by several states to allow infanticide. Statements from disgraced Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, as well as proposed laws in Illinois, Rhode Island, and Vermont have gotten more to be concerned about infanticide in the United States of America. Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse proposed S. 311 the ‘Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act failed in a voice vote–and 17 “public health organizations’ denounced S. 311 as “a dangerous government intrustion.” Is the destruction of humans wrong. Does human life begin at conception? Is there a light flash at conception? Has there been infanticide throughout human history? What does God say about the shedding of “innocent blood’? What about Judaism and Molech?
Here is a link to the sermonette video: American Infanticide.
Notice what the Bible warns about following the wrong type of leadership that many are accepting:
12… O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths (Isaiah 3:12).
16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err, And those who are led by them are destroyed (Isaiah 9:16).
32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:32)
Perhaps I should add that the idea of physician-assisted suicide is also a violation of the Hippocratic oath that medical doctors used to take (and it originally prohibited assisting in causing abortion).
Notice something related to medical ethics and the Hippocratic oath:
Code of Ethics
The most current version of the American Medical Association‘s Code of Ethics states that physician-assisted suicide is prohibited. It prohibits physician-assisted suicide because it is “fundamentally incompatible with the physician’s role as healer” and because it would be “difficult or impossible to control, and would pose serious societal risks”. [18]
Hippocratic Oath
Some doctors[19] remind that physician-assisted suicide is contrary to the Hippocratic Oath, which is the oath historically taken by physicians. It states “I will give no deadly medicine to anyone if asked, nor suggest any such counsel”.[20][21] The original oath however has been modified many times and, contrary to popular belief, is not required by most modern medical schools, nor confers any legal obligations on individuals who choose to take it.[22] There are also procedures forbidden by the Hippocratic Oath which are in common practice today, such as abortion. (Assisted Suicide. Wikipedia, accessed 10/30/20)
Yes, both euthanasia and abortion are prohibited by the Hippocratic Oath. Physicians are not supposed to be involved with murder, but assisting healing.
The Bible teaches that one is not to murder (Exodus 20:13). And that includes murdering oneself, as well as one’s unborn baby. Notice also the following:
Is suicide a crime? …
God commands: “THOU SHALT NOT KILL” (the sixth commandment). Webster defines the word kill as “to deprive of life.” To commit suicide, then, is breaking one of the Ten Commandments -and is definitely condemned by God. Paul admonishes us saying, “Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
If any man DESTROY (KJV margin) the temple of God, him shall God DESTROY; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are” (1 Cor. 3 : 16, 17 ) . “What, know you not that your BODY is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?” (I Cor. 6: 19). No murderer-or suicide-has eternal life abiding in him (I John 3: 15). He has no hope unless and until in the general resurrection after the millennium he repents of his sin (Matthew 11 :20-24). (Plain Truth. January 1960, pp. 15-16)
What about mercy killings (euthanasia), capital punishment, killing in self-defense, taking revenge, “just” wars, abortions (killing of unborn infants) and suicide? God, the giver of life (Gen. 2:7, Deut. 32:39), has the right to take any life if and when He chooses. But man does not have that power, unless God grants it to him. (McNair R. Could You Be Guilty of Murder? Good News, January 1983)
Subtle forms of murder include abortion, euthanasia … (Crime can be stopped…here’s how! Ambassador College, 1975)
Both abortion and euthanasia are wrong.
Let me add that refusing extreme medical interventions is NOT wrong. But having someone poison someone, which is what euthanasia via physician pretty much always is, is wrong.
The Bible teaches:
1 Cry aloud, spare not;
Lift up your voice like a trumpet;
Tell My people their transgression,
And the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)
Euthanasia is one of those sins that we are denouncing.
The destruction of the USA and its British-descended allies including New Zealand, is coming and disobedience to various laws of God will be the reason.
Physician-assisted suicide, infanticide, and abortion is wrong.
Some items of possibly related concerns may include:
Australia and New Zealand in Prophecy Do biblical prophecies help explain the wealth blessings for Australia and New Zealand? Might cursings from disobedience come in the 21st century? Here is a link to a related sermon: Australia and New Zealand: Origins and Prophecy.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be: Are Chinese threats against Australia for real?
Will the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
British are the Covenant People What do ‘British’ and ‘Britain’ mean in Hebrew? Are the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons people of the covenant? Does the British royal family connect to the throne of David? What does the Bible teach? What does history show us? Is there any DNA evidence related to British-Israelism? When did Christianity make it to the British Isles? Could Jeremiah have made it to the British Isles? What type of Christians made it to the British Isles? Did the last King of England believe in British Israelism?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future. A sermon of related interest is also available: Canada in Prophecy.
Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? Has the Roman Catholic Church allowed abortions? What about the real Church of God? Some may wish to view the YouTube videos: Abortion and Birth Control: History and Scriptures. Abortion, the Bible, and US Debt, American Infanticide, and Land of ‘Free’ Abortions and Debt.
Marijuana: Should a Christian Get High? There is increasing acceptance of the use of marijuana. How should Christians view this? Here is a related video titled How Should a Christian View Marijuana?
The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast This is a free pdf book explaining the what the Ten Commandments are, where they came from, how early professors of Christ viewed them, and how various ones, including the Beast of Revelation, will oppose them. A related sermon is titled: The Ten Commandments and the Beast of Revelation.
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught? Here is a link to a video The Ten Commandments: Loving God.
Crime can be stopped…here’s how! This was a booklet that was edited with some updates by Dr. Thiel. Here is a link to a related sermon: Crime and How it Will be Stopped!
The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You? This free online book helps answers some of the biggest questions that human have, including the biblical meaning of life. Here is a link to three related sermons: Mysteries of God’s Plan, Mysteries of Truth, Sin, Rest, Suffering, and God’s Plan, and The Mystery of YOU.
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