BBC to Broadcast Man Taking His Life

By Chris Perver
Prophecy in the News

The BBC is planning to broadcast footage of a man taking his own life in a new documentary on assisted suicide. The corporation, which has previously lobbied ministers in the government for the legalization of assisted suicide, has drawn much criticism for its recent decision to air the programme. If the broadcast goes ahead as scheduled, it will be the first time that an assisted suicide has been shown on UK terrestrial television.

The practice is illegal in the United Kingdom, and those seeking to assist others in taking their own lives face possible imprisonment. But that did not stop novelist Terry Pratchett and a BBC camera crew travelling to Switzerland to document the gruesome procedure. The medical profession in this country vehemently opposes assisted suicide on ethical grounds. For a start it contravenes the Hippocratic oath, in which doctors pledge to not do anything that is likely to cause a patient's death. The high level of palliative care in this country also means that most people with terminal illnesses do not have to suffer discomfort in their final hours.

Disability rights organizations also oppose the idea of assisted suicide because many people with disabilities can go on to lead an active lifestyle with the right treatment. There have also been many cases where severely disabled individuals have fought just for the right to live, when the courts have sought to curtail their rights because they were supposedly a burden to society. In most cases those who are wishing to end their lives are not beyond the help of medical care, but are simply suffering from hyper-depression. Allowing the medically depressed to take their own lives is completely unethical. But it is very unlikely that any of these arguments will be given air-time by Terry, an avowed atheist who himself champions the 'right to die'. And the BBC is unlikely to care either, seeking only to generate ratings by pushing the boundaries on what is considered acceptable viewing.

Even worse, many young people who may be on drugs and anti-depressants, and possibly even children who do not fully understand what they are watching, may be encouraged to copy what they see on the television. We saw it just a few years ago, when a young child tied a rope around his neck and hung himself after watching footage of Saddam Hussein being executed. For the BBC it is not enough to simply debate the topic of assisted suicide, they must also show it. No doubt the BBC will receive thousands of complaints, even before the documentary is broadcast, but once again they cite 'artistic licence' and the freedom to do whatever they like in the interest of 'public debate' as excuses for showing extremely offensive and disturbing programming.

I personally think it's about time the Royal Charter of the BBC was revoked. I find it sickening that the British tax payer has to once again fork out for the privilege of watching this kind of garbage.

"The BBC denies that it is biased on the issue. A spokesman said: “The BBC doesn’t have a stance on assisted suicide, but we do think that this is an important matter of debate.”

It also defended the decision to show an assisted suicide on TV. The spokesman said: “Death is an important part of the human experience and is integral to any discussions about assisted dying, which is why it is appropriate for it to be included.

“We know that watching a death can be distressing for some members of the audience, so we will ensure that clear warnings are given beforehand.”

These are just the ethical arguments against assisted suicide. There are spiritual arguments against it also, which are not likely to get a mention in the BBC documentary.

It should come as no surprise that an atheist would be in favour of assisted suicide. For if a person believes that there is no after-life, no judgement (Hebrews 9:27), no God, then even death can at times can seem better to them than life. We do have records of people in the Bible who took their own lives (1st Samuel 31:4, Matthew 27:5). But the Bible records that in both these cases, death was not the end of that person. King Saul went to be with Samuel (1st Samuel 28:19). Likewise, the Bible also records that after Judas hanged himself, the 'son of destruction' went to "his own place", Acts 1:25. Death is not the end. And I presume that many of these people who take their own lives, thinking that they will somehow free themselves of their troubles, are quite unprepared for what must take place after death.

The Bible says in Proverbs 8:36, "he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death". Our culture seems to be one that loves death. We abort a hundred thousand children every year in the name of women's liberty. We promote the extermination of the elderly and infirm in the name of compassion. We are a nation that is turning its back on God. But the Bible predicted these days would come. The question is, are you prepared for what must take place after death? Have your sins been forgiven? Have you trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31).

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36-37)

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