The eternal law of God is how God intends us to live. We learn this through observing nature. The Natural law is how we as rational beings participate in the eternal law of God. Divine Law (Scripture) can also reveal God's Eternal Law. The world is created as God intended and reveals to us how we should be. Everything has an end purpose - interfering in that is unnatural and therefore, wrong. Natural law emphasises the use of reason as a way of participating in the eternal law of God. By the use of God's given reason, we can deduce real from apparent goods and ensure our interior and exterior acts are both good. The fundamental principle of Natural law is DO GOOD AND AVOID EVIL. Natural Rights - Euthanasia Euthanasia goes against the eternal law of God as revealed through scripture as it opposes several teachings e.g. 'the lord giveth life and the lord taketh away' (Job 1:21). The Bible teaches also that life is made in God's image (Gen 1:26). In nature we should preserve life and treat it as precious. We should live until God intends otherwise. The path of life is living (until you naturally die) - euthanasia or mercy killing interferes with this by killing the person and preventing the person living their life until it naturally ends. This may then prevent the fulfilment of the person's life - their individual pathway. Those who take a 'sanctity of life' position oppose those in a 'quality of life position' Many supporters of euthanasia believe that people should be able to choose to end their life when they feel it is not worth living. This is opposed to Natural Law whose supporters will believe life does not cease to be sacred just because it may be considered a lesser 'quality.' The request then for euthanasia would be seen as an irrational act based on fear of suffering. It would also be considered as valuing apparent goods (end of suffering), over real goods (accepting life as God intended and trusting in the hope of eternal life and freedom from suffering). Euthanasia goes against the primary precept of self-preservation and can therefore, be considered as an immoral act. It is therefore, forbidden by Natural law on these grounds. However well intended the act of euthanasia by the person requesting it - it is not justified by results even if that is the end of suffering for an individual.
1. After reading the above, indicate if you agree or disagree with the fundamental principles of Natural Law. (Yes I agree or No I do not agree, with two reasons).
2. Then after the short reading on Euthanasia or Mercy Killing, should we in Canada allow this to occur?
