To be or not to be? More pertinently: is it a decision for the individual or the state? While suicide is legal in Britain, helping someone to die is not. In the past seven years, 115 Britons have travelled with the help of relatives and friends to the Swiss euthanasia clinic Dignitas to end their lives. Most were suffering from terminal conditions such as cancer and motor neurone disease, but last week it was revealed a small number had chronic but non-life-threatening conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. Yet no one has ever been prosecuted.

The House of Lords debates an amendment to the Coroners and Justice Bill this week which seeks to set out the circumstances in which it would be legal to help someone to end their lives.

Debbie Purdy supports the amendment. A multiple sclerosis sufferer, she wants clarification of the circumstances under which her husband, and others like him, would be prosecuted if he helps her to end her life. Michael Wenham, who suffers from motor neurone disease, opposes it. The Independent on Sunday asked them to debate the issue via email....

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1. Iohannes wrote: The Wenhams are a great blessing to the Church. I am nearly done with John W’s autobiography. It does not convince me of his conditionalism, but it does lead me sincerely to admire his godliness. I was saddened this past week to learn of his son’s plight. Yet Michael is bearing remarkable witness to the goodness of life as God’s gift. Pray for him & his family, and consider getting his book. He has a related blog that can be visited here: mydonkeybody.blogspot.com June 28, 7:14 pm | [comment link]

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