An article in The Christian Century discusses the Netherlands’ assisted dying practices, revealing troubling trends in euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. The piece, originally published around 2016 but resurfacing in discussions, details how the Dutch model, pioneered with review committees of lawyers, physicians, and ethicists, has expanded beyond initial intentions. Euthanasia (physician-administered death) dominates at 95% of cases, while assisted suicide involves patients self-administering lethal drinks. Despite claims of control, suicides have risen 35% in recent years, not declined as promised. Advocacy groups like the Dutch Right to Die Society (NVVE) now push for euthanasia access for children of any age and “suicide pills” for those over 70, distributing symbolic pillboxes with peppermints to normalize it. Palliative sedation affects 12% of deaths, sometimes shortening lives significantly. The author, once a review committee member, laments how legalization shifted assisted dying from last resort to “normal death,” with slippery slopes eroding safeguards. Personally, as expats in the Netherlands, we’ve seen this cultural openness to death choices clash with vibrant suicide prevention efforts like 113 Zelfmoordpreventie, offering 24/7 anonymous calls and chat, plus safety plan templates to spot crisis signs early and list coping strategies, music, friends, or emergency contacts.[9] Churches here, via initiatives like Suicide Prevention for Churches led by expert Willem van den Berg, train believers to support those in despair.[10] Yet myths persist: that suicide is always sudden (it’s often preceded by warning signs), inevitable (prevention works through connection), or a private choice without ripple effects (it devastates families). These echo assisted dying narratives, framing death as autonomous control rather than a cry for help. From a Christian lens, such myths blind us to God’s heart for life. Scripture debunks isolation in pain: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NIV). Jesus invites us to unload despair, countering the lie that suffering must end in death. David cried, “I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears” (Psalm 6:6, NIV), yet God restored him, showing hope amid raw grief. Paul urges, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6, NIV), proving community and faith interrupt suicidal spirals. In the Netherlands’ pragmatic culture, mastering dikes against floods, we’re called to build “dikes” of compassion: listen without judgment, share safety plans, connect to 113 or church support. Prevention isn’t debating death’s legality but embodying Christ’s prevention of hopelessness. Myths die when we live truth: every life bears God’s image, redeemable through Him. For suicide loss survivors, this reflection honors loved ones by equipping others to intervene lovingly. Let’s debunk myths with action, reach out, pray, prevent.
The Christian Association for Survivors of Suicide Loss offers Christian Support groups for those who have lost loved ones to suicide. For more information contact us at https://www.suicideloss.
The Christian Association for Survivors of Suicide Loss, Inc. (suicideloss.org) provides support to those who have lost a loved one to suicide through support groups and church support. If you are in crisis, dial 988 or 911 for assistance.
