Patron
Kym Bonython AC, DFC, AFC, KCSJ
Co-Founders
Rev. Trevor Bensch
Ian Wood
Media Releases
19Feb09—New group formed
07Jul09—Death highlights need for reform
Correspondence
01Jun09—Letter to Bishop Harrower
15Sep09—Letter to South Australian MPs
About Us
Brief History
Rev. Trevor Bensch, former Minister at North Adelaide Baptist Church, and currently Baptist Chaplain at two major hospitals, has been the catalyst for the formation of this new group. Ian Wood asked Trevor his views on Voluntary Euthanasia from his Christian perspective. Trevor’s response was so supportive Ian suggested he send it to all MPs in South Australia. Hon. Mark Parnell quoted sections of this letter in his speech introducing his VE Bill into the South Australian Parliament, and now the letter is in Parliamentary Hansard.
Rev. Bensch, together with fellow Christian Ian Wood, decided to establish a group to allow Christians to voice their support, and Christians supporting choice for Voluntary Euthanasia was born. Ian is now contact and co-ordinator and provides email support for the group.
Principal Activity
The group’s principal activity will be sending letters to Members of the Parliament of South Australia and making it known that many committed Christians support choice for voluntary euthanasia, holding it to be consistent with Jesus' message of love and compassion.
It is intended that all statements be moderate, respectful and based on facts. The group is independent but will complement and work together with the South Australian Voluntary Euthanasia Society (SAVES) and other societies to achieve the necessary change in legislation.
Ironically, the main opposition to law reform arises from Christians in the fundamentalist churches. Their dogmatic approach is disturbing, and we are seeking to counteract this. Many moderate Christians from all denominations already support choice for voluntary euthanasia. It is essential for these Christians to become active, standing proudly in their faith and giving voice to the significant majority of Christian support shown in surveys over the past 15 years.
We are an ecumenical group, with Catholic, Anglican, Uniting, Lutheran, Baptist, Unitarian, Church of Christ and Jehovah's Witness denominations already represented.
The group is now expanding into other States and letters will also be sent to MPs in those States when appropriate.
Other Activities
Christians supporting choice for Voluntary Euthanasia also endeavours to educate the public through the media that there is strong public support amongst the more enlightened and thinking Christians for our legal right to make end of life decisions, countering the mis-information put forward by religious opposition to every person’s right to a dignified and painfree death.
Membership of the Group
There is no payment of subscriptions or cost involved in becoming a member and signatory of the Group. However, we do welcome sponsorship and donations that help us run our operations and to pay for newspaper adverts promoting the cause. Please make any cheque or money order payable to Christians Supporting Choice for VE.
Membership is an expression of your willingness to become a signatory at the foot of all letters going to Members of Parliament.
Considerable support has been expressed by non-Christians and ex-Christians for our campaign, and we are equally happy to welcome them as members and signatories.
Contact with Members
To help streamline our operations and keep costs low, we aim for:
- compliance with our Privacy Statement
- as much contact as possible to be by email, and all advisory and update emails are sent on an individual basis so that email addresses remain private
- any proposed letter will be circulated to members, excluding members' names
- all those who indicate agreement with the content of the letter will then have their names included at the end of the letter as signatories, in addition to the actual signature of the group spokespersons/co-ordinator writing the letter
- letters to Members of Parliament will also have addresses of the signatories listed with their names
- members without emails, unless requested otherwise, due to delays in the postal system, will automatically be included along with other members of the Group, on all letters being sent to Members of Parliament.
- media releases to be sent as a statement from the group without prior approval due to the time constraints of responding to topical issues as they arise—but we will endeavour to keep members informed.
We do Hope and Pray
We do hope and pray that:
- people from all denominations will be willing to take this public stand
- that we will receive the support of some prominent citizens to arouse more interest from the media
- you will feel inspired to discuss the issue of Voluntary Euthanasia with friends and enlist their support, though we appreciate this is not always easy.
Your Participation Is Welcome
Christians supporting choice for Voluntary Euthanasia welcomes your participation with any ideas and suggestions as to the content of letters, suggestions for media releases, facts and stories that support our aims. Please write to Ian Wood at: Christians supporting choice for Voluntary Euthanasia, 429 Anzac Road, Port Pirie, South Australia, 5540, or email to: iagree(at)christiansforve.org.au.
Christians supporting choice for Voluntary Euthanasia does not support the public availability
of a 'peaceful pill' and is not associated with Exit International or Dr Philip Nitschke.