Posted on 05/12/2009 1:35:25 PM PDT by wagglebee
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- When it comes to the end-of-life issues that pro-life advocates fight, it appears momentum is on the side of those who see death as a solution for those who are considered too old or too ill. An international symposium featuring top speakers and activists hopes to turn the tide.
With Washington becoming the second state to legalize assisted suicide last year and Montana potentially becoming the third soon, pro-life advocates are facing more battles across the nation.
In Europe, assisted suicide and euthanasia have already been approved in some nations and England has backed down on prosecuting cases of suicide tourism.
With these challenges in mind, Alex Schadenberg, the head of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, has assembled a powerful lineup of experts to help grassroots activists keep the "merchants of death" at bay.
"This is the most important meeting that has ever been organized to combat the euthanasia lobby in America and turn back the tide," he tells LifeNews.com.
"There is a growing pressure in every state in America to legalize assisted suicide. This pressure is built upon the lies that assisted suicide is simply another end-of-life choice and it is based on the autonomy of the individual," Schadenberg says.
Schadenberg says the educational forum is needed to help change a culture that increasingly views people as a burden.
"It is not based on autonomy because assisted suicide requires the direct and intentional involvement of another person. It is not simply another choice, it is really about how society would directly and intentionally cause the death of people," he says.
Because of the difficult economy and perhaps the lack of realization that euthanasia and assisted suicide are growing threats, Schadenberg has seen enrollment for the conference below what he hopes. He's urging pro-life advocates to come and to learn about what they can do.
"Come to the Second-International Symposium on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide and learn about how choice and autonomy are the lies that are used to promote death. Join a unified effort to promote the truth by defending the sacredness of human life," he told LifeNews.com.
Speakers at this year's forum include bioethics author and attorney Wesley J. Smith, Dr. Peter Saunders of the British-based Care Not Killing, Rita Marker of the International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide.
Bobby Schindler, the brother of Terri Schinder Schiavo, will also be present.
The conference takes place on May 29-30 in the Washington, D.C. area.
Three hundred people from various nations met in Toronto, Ontario for the first symposium.
Related web sites:
Second Symposium - http://www.euthanasiaprevention.on.ca/2ndIntlSymposium/index.html
And this is what the death mongers want everyone to ignore.
Pro-Life Ping
Freepmail wagglebee or DirtyHarryY2K to subscribe or unsubscribe from the moral absolutes ping list.
FreeRepublic moral absolutes keyword search
|
Lord Jesus, you healed so many people during your public ministry. I bring before you now, in prayer, all those who are terminally ill -- those afflicted with cancer, AIDS, and other illnesses.
|
|
Look lovingly and compassionately upon them. Let them feel the strength of your consolation. Help them and their families to accept this cross they are asked to carry. Protect them from euthanasia, Lord.
|
|
Let them see you carrying their cross with them, at their side, as you once carried yours to Calvary. May Mary be there, too, to comfort them.
|
|
Lord Jesus, I know and believe that, if it is your will, you can cure those I pray for (especially N.). I place my trust in you. I pray with faith, but I also pray as you did in Gethsemane: your will be done.
|
|
Bless us, Lord, and hear my prayer. Amen.
|
| Reprinted from "Queen of Apostles Prayerbook" with permission of copyright holder, Pauline Books & Media, |
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.