I WHOLEHEARTEDLY endorse former Archbishop George Carey’s courageous and compassionate support for medically assisted dying for the terminally ill.

My own father died a horrendous death from cancer. He endured months of dreadful pain for he was resistant to drugs. Towards the end he looked like a tragic victim from Belsen. What on earth spiritual purpose did his appalling suffering serve? A poor old dog humanly euthanised is treated more humanely.

God would be a monstrous sadistic tyrant if he ordained that his creatures mortally ill are denied the merciful liberation death affords.

Oxford Mail:

Former Archbishop George Carey

I do not believe in an omnipotent, benevolent God for I cannot reconcile the senseless suffering even innocent children and animals now experience.

What I do believe is that there is a divine but limited power striving for light in our world of darkness and chaos. That power was manifested in Christ and other great teachers from the major faiths.

Those who oppose medically assisted death for the terminally ill preach the sanctity of life but pointless, irremediable suffering debases life and ruthlessly destroys its sacred nature.

GRAHAM BUTLER

Banbury Road

Bicester

Today’s letters

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