Because we entrust ourselves to this Savior, we neither attempt to control death as the world does nor “grieve as others do who have no hope” (1 Thess. 4:13). We face death honestly, soberly—even tearfully—but not hopelessly.

We do not do death well.

We avoid it. We deny it. We even pretend we can control it.

Last week, the French National Assembly advanced what many observers have called  “the most extreme euthanasia law in Europe since Nazi regulations in the 1930s.” French President Emmanuel Macron supported legislation framed as “medical aid in dying” but the proposal goes much further than many existing “death with dignity” laws.

The bill would legalize both assisted suicide—where a person receives a prescribed poison to end their own life—and euthanasia, where a doctor administers the deadly dose.

Sebastian Ostertag, French coordinator for Pro Life Global, warned that, “For adults who are sick with either a disease, which, if they do not take treatment, will eventually lead to their deaths, as well as people who are suffering from depression, anxiety, things that are considered severe.” Developmentally disabled persons with Down syndrome or autism would also be eligible to request euthanasia under the new law.

Particularly troubling is the brief two-day reflection period and the penalties for those who attempt to dissuade someone from pursuing their “right to die”: a fine of 30 thousand euros (about $35,000 US) and up to two years in jail.

According to Christian journalist Jenny Lind Schmitt of The World and Everything In It, “The Assembly struck down numerous proposed amendments to protect suicide prevention organizations and the conscience rights of doctors, pharmacists, and psychologists. The bill also has no conscience provision to protect establishments like religious nursing homes, in spite of testimony from nuns representing the care facilities.”

Sebastian Ostertag summarizes the deeper issue: “This is a part of the ideology that we must be the masters of our own Destiny and always, including death, it is essentially the total rejection of God and the putting oneself as God.” In other words, it is dethroning Christ while enthroning self.

The gulf between the world’s understanding of life and death compared to the Christian vision of life and death continues to widen.

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