Death on Demand #5 - MAiD: A Nation in Love with Death

Canada is at the forefront of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). We now have the broadest eligibility criteria in the world, and in absolute numbers, Canada ranks among the highest—if not the highest—in MAiD-related deaths. A 2022 poll revealed that an astounding 86% of Canadians support the program. The numbers are equally striking when it comes to abortion. Few nations have embraced a culture of death as thoroughly as Canada—not merely through the policies of its politicians, but through the widespread support of its people.

It’s also important to note that in 2021, the law was controversially amended to include individuals whose natural death is not reasonably foreseeable, removing one of the original safeguards that limited MAiD to those near the end of life. In other words, Canada’s MAiD program has shifted from offering assisted death to those already dying, to now offering it as an option for anyone facing suffering, even when their condition poses no immediate threat to life.

This should lead us to assess not only our laws, but the worldview we’ve embraced as a nation. These laws are simply the fruit of how we see reality. And the worldview behind MAiD is shaped by a mix of secular humanism, expressive individualism, materialism, and moral utilitarianism. Let me briefly explain what that means.

Without a belief in God, the body is reduced to a biological machine, and the self becomes a psychological construct—just neurons firing. If this life is all there is, then the value of life is measured by perceived quality and usefulness. If someone is not productive, happy, or comfortable, their life is seen as less worth living. There is no greater meaning in suffering, just as there is no greater purpose in life beyond immediate pleasure. In this view, death is not an enemy but simply a natural next step in the meaningless cycle we call life. It becomes a rational—even peaceful—choice. And since there is assumed to be nothing after death—no existence, no judgment, no future hope—death becomes the ultimate release.

When true Christians oppose programs like MAiD, it’s not merely a political position—it’s a clash of worldviews. The worldview behind MAiD is fundamentally anti-Christian. In fact, it can rightly be described as satanic. Scripture portrays Satan as a fallen angel who opposes God, and by extension, despises everything that bears God’s image, most notably, humanity. MAiD sees human beings as empty, disposable biological matter. Christianity, on the other hand, proclaims that humans—no matter how weak, suffering, or dependent—are beautiful, valuable image-bearers made to reflect the glory of the Creator.

What we need is not just a new politician or a revised policy—we need God’s grace poured out on this nation once again. Only then will hearts be transformed and minds brought captive to Christ, enabling people to see human beings for what they truly are: image-bearers of God. Life will be recognized as a precious gift, and suffering and death as tragic consequences of our rebellion against Him, our true enemies, not conditions to be managed through killing.

Above all, we must stop longing for a comfortable death and instead hunger for eternal life. In Christ, God has given us the answer. The cross is our true tree of life, and from it flows real, everlasting life.

Nino Marques