It was announced that Gov." Kathy Hochul said that she has reached an agreement with state lawmakers to pass New York’s "Medical Aid in Dying Act". The law will be signed in January and go into effect 6 months later. WGRZ.com reports, “The legislation would allow adults diagnosed with a terminal illness, and given less than six months to live, to request medication to hasten death.”

The foundational basis for Biblical ethics is the sanctity of human life. Humans are uniquely created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This value begins at conception (Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:39-41) and ends with natural death. Therefore, humanity is of far greater worth, dignity, and value than any other creature in God’s grand creation.

It is because of this God given value that the taking of human life is a particularly grievous evil and is clearly condemned all through the Holy Scriptures.

“Whoever sheds the blood of man,

by man shall his blood be shed.

for God made man in his own image.”

                                                Genesis 9:6 (ESV)

Black Robe Regiment Allegany-Jan 2026 Editorial

And as well…

“You shall not murder.” Exodus 20:13

God saw murder as so grievous in the nation of Israel that the death penalty was His ordained punishment for such a crime. Therefore, the taking of human life at any stage, is clearly condemned in the Bible, and is a great evil.

Euthanasia, regardless of the reason for the act, is suicide, which is self-murder.

Governor Hochul would be wise to read the teaching of her own Church. The Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church says, "Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable." Or as Pope John Paul 2 rightfully noted,

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A VOICE FOR CHRISTIAN POLITICAL INFLUENCE TODAY!

A PASTORAL RESPONSE TO THE "MEDICAL AID IN DYING ACT"

A guest editorial written by Rev. Stephen Mannion, of Clarence Global Methodist Church, ministering from Clarence, NY

 

 

Reverend Mannion is a minister who serves the Clarence Global Methodist Church in areas of outreach, and a member of the WNY Company of the Black Robed Regiment. We give him thanks for his words which are spoken from western New York on this important life topic.