Relief as peers reject 'underhand' move to introduce assisted suicide legislation

Christian campaigners have expressed their relief after the House of Lords voted down an "underhand" attempt to introduce assisted suicide legislation.

An amendment to the Health and Care Bill was lodged by Lord Forsyth and would have forced ministers to bring forward a bill.

It was rejected by 179 votes to 145 on Wednesday evening.

Ross Hendry, CEO of CARE, called the amendment "highly cynical".

"First, it sought to use vital health and care proposals as a Trojan horse. And second, it sought to force the government's hand on a highly contentious matter that should rightly be left to parliament," he said.

"Campaigners are seeking to exclude important voices from this debate – particularly disabled groups, the elderly, and those experiencing terminal illness. And they are evading clear evidence about the dangers of 'assisted dying', shown clearly in other jurisdictions."

CARE has been campaigning against attempts to change the law on assisted suicide.

Hendry said that legalising the practice would place "invisible pressure" on the sick and vulnerable, and that promised "safeguards" would be "ineffective" as laws "are inevitably widened over time".

"We recognise that there are strong feelings on both sides of the debate concerning 'assisted dying', and that many proponents are motivated by compassion," he said.

"However, unsafe, and unethical interventions are not the answer. The prescription of lethal drugs is not a moral response to suffering and permitting it would undermine the safety, dignity, and equality of many groups."

Ciarán Kelly, of The Christian Institute, said the defeat of the amendment to the Health and Care Bill was "a great result".

"This is now the twelfth time since 1997 that proposals for assisted suicide related laws have not been passed by UK Parliamentarians," he said.

"It stops a real threat to the lives of vulnerable people in its tracks. No one should be put under pressure to end their life for fear of being a financial, emotional or care burden on others."

News
'Passion' star Jim Caviezel recalls the time Jesus appeared to him
'Passion' star Jim Caviezel recalls the time Jesus appeared to him

Actor Jim Caviezel recently claimed that Jesus Christ supernaturally appeared to him more than 20 years ago as he was considering whether to take the starring role in "The Passion of the Christ," Mel Gibson's 2004 film depicting the Crucifixion. 

Frasier star Kelsey Grammer says standing up for Jesus is worth the cost
Frasier star Kelsey Grammer says standing up for Jesus is worth the cost

Emmy Award-winning actor Kelsey Grammer has said he’ll never deny his faith in Jesus Christ, even if standing by his beliefs comes at a personal cost, and shared why he believes Christians have a responsibility to remain steadfast in an increasingly fractured culture.

Why John Stott’s ‘Christian Counter-Culture’ still challenges the church
Why John Stott’s ‘Christian Counter-Culture’ still challenges the church

After more than 45 years, John Stott’s teaching on the Sermon on the Mount remains a fresh challenge to a church too comfortable with the world.

MP challenges plans to light up Belfast City Hall in support of abortion on Easter Sunday
MP challenges plans to light up Belfast City Hall in support of abortion on Easter Sunday

Carla Lockhart MP has spoken out against plans to light up Belfast City Hall in support of abortion on Easter Sunday.