Christians need to be clear about this, and make a stand. Control over life and death is never ours to exercise. We are not our own. Such thinking stems from a purely humanistic and, dare I say, ‘selfish’ point of view. It is part and parcel of the cult of individualism that has blossomed in this post-modern age.

It depicts an unChristian view of nature and society.

We have no control over our birth, no say in how or when we came into this world. Just so, throughout life we are never in complete control either, so dependent are we on others.

To somehow assume, then, that we have control over our death is the height of arrogance. It gives scant regard to those around us. Besides, it is a theological fallacy.

In Christian terms, God is in control. He is sovereign, as far as our rights are concerned. He is the giver and taker of life.

“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” (Psalm 24:1) God is sovereign over life and death. To assume that we have authority over life and death is to assume a mantle that is not ours. The modern physician’s Hippocratic Oath says ‘Above all, I must not play at God’.

If we do have a right then it is the right to life, not death. Human beings have a right to live, no matter what. It is a God-given right which must surely supersede all other rights. So-called human rights are secondary.

And we have the highest laws on our side. Article 3 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that: ‘Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person’. Human life is to be held inviolable and inalienable. Note the order. The value of life is first, then freedom then security.

Article 6 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights says that, ‘Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No-one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life’.

The Christian believes we are made for a purpose — for which Christ died. Each human being is valuable in God’s sight, and has dignity beyond any mere physical well-being, a dignity of spirit. Human life is special and sacred. As created human beings we are obliged to do whatever we can to preserve it.

Naturally we will experience the ups and downs of living, the good and the bad. That’s what makes us ‘whole’, helps us grow. If we are called upon to suffer pain then there is a reason. But we have no God-given right to extinguish life.

Rather it behoves us to nurture, respect and promote the integrity of life, rather than harm or destroy it.

Rather than whining about our individual ‘human rights’ we should, perhaps, be thinking more of our contribution to others, the good of society. How will our promotion of life, how will the process of our dying display basic Christian values and glorify God?