Baptists for Life submitted the following testimony in opposition to
SB803, a bill to legalize physician assisted suicide in the state of Hawaii:
My name is M. Thomas Lothamer. I am the executive director of Baptists for Life, a national pro-life organization based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Although it is not our mission to lobby governments, as a 501(c)3 we can still speak out in support of the sanctity of human life when opportunities arise. Not only do we represent pro-life Baptists across the country, we also take it as our mandate to protect the weak and vulnerable wherever possible.
The bill in question, SB803, endangers people who are frail, elderly, and nearing the end of life. It also impinges on the conscience rights of doctors and turns their profession from one of healing to medicalized killing. As has become evident in Oregon and the Netherlands, the legalization of physician assisted suicide quickly devolves to full-blown euthanasia – with or without the individual’s consent.
Baptists for Life joins with groups such as Hawaii Physicians for Compassionate Care in calling the Senate of Hawaii to fulfill their role of protecting vulnerable citizens. We also stand in support of physicians who maintain the highest standards of medicine – alleviating suffering without taking lives and providing comfort to the sick and dying. When we don’t abandon people at the hour of greatest need, they don’t resort to killing themselves or requesting suicide assistance.
Through the LIFT ministry designed by Baptists for Life, volunteers from local churches enhance the efforts of life-honoring medical personnel by providing friendship and support to people with chronic and terminal illnesses, and to their families. Care recipients of LIFT have their needs met while knowing they are not alone, not abandoned.
Postscript:
Hawaii senators drop assisted suicide bill
