Transcript of Thought For the World's thought for the day

Muriel Gray

10th February 2009

The respected MSP Margo McDonald has proposed a bill concerning assisted suicide. If passed it would allow people with degenerative, irreversible conditions, including those as young as 12, the right to request a specially registered doctor to help terminate their lives.

Ms McDonald has been prompted to this by the sad circumstances of her own condition, suffering as she does from Parkinson’s disease. She’s stated that when her illness progresses to a point of unbearable suffering she wishes to be permitted to end her life at the time of her choosing, with what she considers to be dignity.

I have nothing but sympathy and admiration for Margo McDonald, but I fundamentally oppose her bill. The debate has been portrayed in the press as if it were only between the religious, opposing assisted suicide, and atheists, for it. This is simplistic. I am an atheist. My morals are based on the fact that there is no evidence of any kind to suggest an after life, but a great deal of evidence proving we are part of a life cycle that has been continuing for millions of years, unique only in that humans have evolved an intelligence allowing us to comprehend the ephemeral nature of our existence. It’s this knowledge that drives many to believe in equality, in kindness instead of cruelty, to help alleviate suffering and try and make the most, for everyone, of this tiny sliver of consciousness in the infinity of time. And it is also this certain knowledge of death as an end that informs us that life is a most precious phenomenon and should be preserved whenever possible. I don’t wish to live in a society pressuring me to take my own life should I begin to suffer. I want to be able to cry out ‘I want to die!’, but not mean it. I don’t wish to be regarded as selfish, a burden on my relatives should I fall into their care, neither do I wish to deprive my family of the opportunity to care for me, an honour I’ve cherished when nursing people I’ve loved and lost. When in pain or distress I will crave comfort and love, not execution.

We desperately require more support and respect for carers, and more effective and accessible pain controlling palliative treatment. Then all can die with dignity, and none can be accused of being selfish, or cowards, for wishing to cling to every moment, good or terrible, of this amazing and improbable thing called life.

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