Opinion
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September 21, 2018 (Euthanasia Prevention Coalition) – A recent statement by Jews for Torah Values is hard hitting and makes it extremely clear what the responsibilities are for people of the Jewish faith concerning Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. Their rules should be an example to all faiths, as they are universal. The reason given is that these practices allow sheficas-domim (bloodshed). It is further stated that even if these practices are legalized, it is still sheficas-domim (bloodshed). All legitimate religions have a prohibition against shedding innocent blood and this principle if followed would stop Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide in their tracks.

Jews for Torah Values go on to state that “when voting for any public official, this issue must be considered as top priority, certainly overriding financial considerations, government programs, etc.” To put stopping Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide above financial considerations shows how important this issue is. They put the responsibility to stop this squarely on their followers saying, “By voting for people who support these laws, we become accountable for their actions.” This is true for all of us if we vote for people that support killing we have that blood on our hands. As they rightly point out “This ruling would still apply even if these laws were to be passed, we would still be forbidden to vote for legislators who voted for these laws.” So the usual excuse of they voted wrong, but that is water under the bridge is not valid. They are saying, wrong votes have consequences and we need to hold politicians accountable.

In addition to not voting for officials that support Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, Jews for Torah Values are urging their people to be pro-active and contact their legislators and governor when a bill for Assisted Suicide or Euthanasia is being proposed. They even go further and state that work should be done to repeal laws that have already passed. We need to follow their example. If all people who believe that there is a God that cares about the shedding of innocent blood, took this statement to heart, we could stop this death culture. Are there 10%, 20%, 30% or more that claim faith? Could we make a difference? Definitely. As pointed out. “Even a few votes can make a major difference, both by legislators and the public – sometimes the vote of a single legislator can decide the fate of these laws – as is evidenced by the recent vote in the New Jersey State Assembly (in November 2014), where an assisted suicide bill was passed by just one vote.” Euthanasia Prevention Coalition USA recommends the adoption of these guidelines for all of us. You can make a difference.

See the complete statement from Jews for Torah Values here: https://www.euthanasiausa.org/rabbis-get-it-ri…assisted-suicide/

Published with permission from the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition.