Disciplined By Euthanasia

A couple of weeks ago, the British Parliament voted on a new bill legalizing euthanasia. PBS News reported, “U.K. lawmakers…approved a bill to allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to choose to end their lives in a historic vote in Parliament that takes it a step nearer to becoming law. Members of Parliament voted 314-291 to back the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill following an impassioned and respectful debate.” As you can imagine, this was a very divisive issue for England. The debates and stances went well beyond the governing body of the U.K.

One of the MPs (members of parliament) who voted for the bill was Chris Coghlan. Chris is a practicing Catholic whose faith came to center stage because of his vote on the bill. The Times reported, “Chris Coghlan’s priest wrote to him before the House of Commons vote to legalize assisted dying, warning he would be “obstinately persevering” in sin if he supported the bill.” But Chris did not listen to his priest. This escalated the matter.  Eventually Chris was refused to participate in communion as a form of discipline from his church for voting for the bill anyway.

Chris then took to X (formally called Twitter) and wrote: “My Catholic Priest publicly announced at every mass he was denying me Holy Communion following the assisted dying vote. Children who are friends of my children were there. This followed a direct threat in writing  four days before the vote. It is a matter of grave public interest the extent to which religious MPs came under pressure to represent their religion and not necessarily their constituents in the assisted dying vote. This was utterly disrespectful to my family, my constituents including the congregation, and the democratic process. My private religion will continue to have zero direct relevance to my work as an MP representing all my constituents without fear or favour.”

It was very interesting how this was all made public. What is interesting is that Chris went ahead and committed the “wrong” of going public ,which he accused his priest of. His rant is full of horrific logic and theology. Not to mention it comes across as if his priest struck a nerve. As professor Craig Carter said on the matter, “this man evidences a guilty conscience. He is acutely embarrassed by his priest and is trying to rationalize his behavior. And that demonstrates that his conscience is still working.” I mean if you believe you voted the right way, why are you so upset? He is not standing up for what is right. He is voting for what was popular and wants everyone to support his decision. The emperor has no clothes, but he wants you to go on pretending and treating him like he has a full wardrobe on.

Looking at his reasoning for why he voted, it seems pretty clear Chris is not saved at all. His “faith” is of his own making. To him “faith” is the way he defines it, not God. When kids play outside in the mud sometimes they like to shape it into a circle and call it a mudpie. But deep down everyone knows it's just for fun and no one is running to get the cutlery to have a slice. Yet Chris thinks his “faith”, made of the stuff you find on the ground, is the real deal. And he is trying to make us believe it. He wants us to trust him and is asking us to take a bite of his mudpie faith.  Not thanks, I'll pass.

First let us look at the fact that his priest warned him privately, then publicly that he would be disciplined if he voted for this bill. Right there that shows his unwillingness to submit to the religious authority in his life. Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying a priest’s theology is something to submit to. Priests are not real ministers as they do not believe in the real gospel. Although, what Chris’ priest was telling him to do was not against the bible. It was in line with what the bible teaches. It was lined up with what God says is right! But Chris did not heed these warnings. By him not listening to his priest, he was actually not listening to God. Because what the priest was telling him to do was correct in the eyes of God.

But the most telling thing of his whole social media temper tantrum was his last line of, “My private religion will continue to have zero direct relevance to my work as an MP representing all my constituents without fear or favour.” Where do I begin? That his constituents are more prevalent in his life than God? Or that his “faith” does not have any effect on his public life? This is why I do not believe he has a saving faith. The lesson to take from here is that true saving faith reaches out to all aspects of our lives. Faith is not something you just pull out on Sunday mornings when you go to church. And then pack it away in the closet until the next time you are there. True saving faith is not a hat you put on and off. It is a heart. A new heart. A heart of flesh. A heart of a new life. A heart that is transformed. And as the heart it pumps through to all aspects of who you are. True faith is at the center, pumping life, purpose and meaning into you. You can not turn off true faith, just like you can not turn off your heart. Do not be misled by so many people like Chris who say they have “faith”. Realize that true faith in God is transformative. A dying to the self. It is repentant. It is…being born again into a new person who is now in Christ.