Right to Die?

by John Wyatt

John Wyatt helps us to navigate the arguments for assisted dying with hearts and heads engaged, and above all with our Bibles open.

Genres: Nonfiction

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2015

Reviews

[Amy K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took interest in this after visiting my 99.5 year old great aunt, who until just a few months ago lived in her home and was very independent. Her mind is sharp, but her body is done. She is done and says she is ready to go. This covers a wide variety of topics regarding a person's right to end their life, ranging from terminally ill to clinically depressed. When a doctor or another person administrators the drugs or the individual does it themselves. Can this option actually prevent suicide?
Some repition and not a fun topic, but worth exploring through this book or other resource.

[Cal]

why are all these book christian, no hate but the argument that your life is precious because god gave it to you is not compelling to me (sorry lukas)

[Adam Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear and compassionate overview of the ethical issues surrounding end-of-life care. John Wyatt summarises the arguments for assisted suicide under "compassion" and "autonomy", and shares medical, social, and biblical concerns with these arguments. He also discusses various issues in the care of dying people, before finishing with a reflection on what it means to die well as a Christian.

This is obviously the sort of book that gets out of date very quickly, but the core of the book remains relevant and an important contribution to ongoing debates. Wyatt has a good grasp of the issues from both a medical and a spiritual perspective. I do feel, though, that chapter 7, "Christian responses and perspectives" was frustratingly brief (only 15 pages!)

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timely, clear, persuasive. A fantastic resource explaining the rationale for physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia and why they are both unnecessary and dangerous. Expounds the far superior alternative of quality palliative care medicine. Highly recommended.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

My wife is currently in Hospice and this was a quick and interesting read. It is a complicated issue about her having the ability to choose to die in comfort. We are at peace with our situation are very lucky to be in a position to have a great hospice team.

[Billy Backhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some helpful thoughts about the way the use of language affects this debate. Felt more of a primer than an exposition of the subtleties of arguments but provides a nice overview with some thoughtful Christian perspective on a wide selection of the key issues.