BHA: Christian leaders are denying people freedom

Friday, 12, May 2006 12:00

The British Humanist Association (BHA) supports the Lords bill on assisted dying for the terminally ill on "compassionate" grounds.

The BHA has released a report entitled "In Bad Faith", which accuses Christian groups of "misinformation" and "scaremongering" in their opposition to the proposals.

It claims that a majority of Christians support the bill, and argues that in claiming to speak for the elderly or terminally ill, religious leaders are "pre-empting any views that such people may themselves wish to express".

The association believes "opposition to the bill is a denial of the potential choice and freedom that it will offer," and points out that the proposals do not introduce euthanasia.

BHA executive director Hanne Stinson said: “This bill… contains ample safeguards to ensure that the choices made by those experiencing unbearable suffering are informed and genuine. Who are the bishops to deny people this freedom?”