By Macy Froetschner
Canada has one of the highest euthanasia rates in the world. According to The Guardian, euthanasia is among the top six leading causes of death. Why is Canada, and many states in the United States, choosing to end life rather than uphold it?
A common mindset in our culture today is the idea of Utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is the philosophy that happiness is synonymous with usefulness. In other words, only that which is useful can make someone happy. On a societal scale, this philosophy is manifested when we value actions or people who contribute to the benefit and well-being society and we devalue those who can’t or don’t. In other words, a person’s “usefulness” – his or her ability to work, to create, to lead, to do – makes his or her life valuable.
On an individual scale, this is known as the pleasure principle. It’s the idea that one should avoid suffering in life to be happy and fulfilled. Christians rightfully cringe at this philosophy of life for numerous reasons, one of which is that it opens the door to moral ambiguity. That is, if something which is considered morally wrong, such as committing adultery, brings one pleasure, it is deemed acceptable in a utilitarian mindset.
Another detrimental implication of Utilitarianism is the acceptance of abortion and euthanasia. Life is deemed useless if it supposedly cannot contribute to the functioning of society. Some examples of those who would fall into this category? People with disabilities and the elderly.
Additionally, in an utilitarian society, life is discarded to avoid suffering, both the one suffering and those taking care of the one suffering. Thus, abortion and euthanasia are the solution to suffering in a utilitarian worldview.
Despite this malicious mindset, Christ shines through. Christ came to suffer and die, and in so doing redeems all humanity with His bounteous grace. He subjected Himself to violent suffering and death because of His great love for us. His sacrifice makes all life valuable and worthy of salvation. Because of Christ, a life with suffering is never useless.
Suffering is an inescapable part of life in this fallen world, but we have hope in Christ even as we suffer. He promises to be with us, to comfort and strengthen us, and to sustain us. He works not only through Word and sacrament to ease our suffering but also through family and friends, pastors and teachers, doctors and medicines. And we know that He can even use our suffering for good.
We also have confidence that Christ will one day life us from this valley of sorrow to Himself in heaven. Even though our bodies may not work as they should in this life, when Christ returns and restores all things our bodies will be made anew, and we live in perfection with Him for eternity. We live in hope.