Can Assisted Suicide be an Act of Martyrdom?
New Online News Magazine Examines Issue

ELLICOTT CITY, MD -- A Christian ethicist says he believes assisted suicide can sometimes be considered an act of martyrdom.

In an exclusive story in the current edition of Village Life News Magazine, Dixon Sutherland, head of the Institute for Christian Ethics at Stetson University in Florida, suggests the discussion of physician assisted suicide is forcing some Christians to rethink their understanding of the sanctity of human life.

"The theological tenet is that we are individuals responsible to God and to neighbor," Sutherland explained. "We are not isolated egos. Humans are inter-relational, and that extends to all of society. So a terminal patient soaking up thousands of dollars a day -- money that could be used to treat other patients or feed the hungry -- is irresponsible. That person could reasonably end his life on behalf of his neighbor."

Sutherland's view is rejected by Mark B. Blocher, executive director of The Center for Biblical Values and chief of Health Intervention Services at Western Michigan University. "To argue it's a sacrifice on behalf of others is quite a stretch," he said. "None of (Jack) Kervorkian's patients did it for the benefit of family or society. They did it for themselves."

The article describing differing views of theologians and ethicists is included in "Assisted Suicide" -- the current Cover Story of Village Life, a new Internet news magazine, that says it is attempting to "provide objective clarity and a sense of hope to the news."

Every other week, Village Life highlights a different social issue as its Cover Story. The online magazine editors also cover daily news from the same perspective -- looking for the human element in major news events.

Unlike many general interest news magazines published on the World Wide Web, Village Life does not have a printed or cable news version. Staff and freelance writers produce most of the articles for Village Life.

"Our goal is not to advocate particular solutions to challenges in society today," Jim Skillington, publisher of the new magazine explains, "but we hope that people who read our articles will want to become involved in becoming part of the solution."

The magazine provides annotated links in each Cover Story to not-for-profits that are involved in finding solutions to that topic.

Village Life includes more than just daily news. The homepage depicts a diverse intergenerational village with icons of buildings and people. By clicking on an object, different "departments" of the of news magazine are accessed.

It is produced by Kaleidoscope Ministries Ltd., a nondenominational, not-for-profit corporation. For more information, contact Kaleidoscope at its toll-free number 1-888-203-9119 or by email at [email protected].