Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:8-9)

Abortion is the willful taking of a human life inside the womb. Euthanasia is the willful taking of the life of someone who is old or severely handicapped.

The word euthanasia literally means “good death.” It is important to point out what euthanasia is and what it isn’t. Euthanasia is not letting nature take its course. If someone has a disease that can kill them and they decide not to seek any more medical treatment that would keep them alive that is not euthanasia. That is letting nature take its course. For example, if a person’s kidneys have failed they can be kept alive by regularly receiving kidney dialysis. But if they choose not to take dialysis they will die but that is not considered euthanasia. That is considered letting nature take its course.

Euthanasia is taking specific steps to end your own or someone else’s life. It’s no surprise that during the time that abortion has been legal in this country there has also been a push to increase access to euthanasia. Reducing the value of human life at one end of the lifespan obviously reduces the value of life at the other end of the lifespan. According to a recent survey, 70 percent of Americans now believe that people should have the right to end their own lives through euthanasia if they so choose.

Up Next: Abortion and the death penalty