Euthanasia for children now

The Belgian Senate has voted by 50 votes to 17 to allow euthanasia for sick children. Some say that children are not old enough to understand what's involved in giving up their lives, but the majority of Belgian senators seem to consider that serious illness gives them an understanding. The measure will also extend the right to request euthanasia to adults with dementia.

It will now go before the House of Representatives, and is likely to be approved.

In Belgium, deaths by euthanasia have increased by almost 500 per cent since euthanasia was legalised in 2002. It is said that 47 per cent of all assisted deaths in Belgium are not being reported, and 32 per cent of all assisted deaths are being carried out without request.

In the Netherlands, euthanasia of children under the age of 12 remains technically illegal, but a number of infants have been euthanised without prosecution under the Groningen protocol.

Nearer home, in Northern Ireland, where abortion is illegal, justice minister David Ford says he is going to consult on changing the law to allow women carrying babies with "fatal foetal abnormalities" to have an abortion.

Once upon a time adults seemed pretty well agreed on the need to protect children. Now they seem to be getting pretty well agreed on the need to kill them (in the children's best interests, of course.)

What are we coming to?

Here's another question you may wish to consider: Are you and I doing all that we are able to present a godly alternative?