Letter: Assisted dying

Terry Pratchett's excellent documentary surrounding his decision about whether or not end his own life convincingly put the case for a person to be able to end their own life without fear of relatives who help them being prosecuted.

No reasonable person would disagree that those with a terminal illness should be allowed to end their life at a time they choose rather than being forced to undergo a slow, painful, torturous death.

Most opponents of assisted dying are, however, not reasonable. They are religious oddballs who want people to suffer because it says they must in some ancient poorly written book authored by Bronze Age primitives.

The dog-collared Vampires who appeared on the debate programme afterwards have no more right to have their opinion heard on the subject of assisted suicide than anyone else. They think that because they prefix their name with "Reverend" they should somehow be entitled to special respect.

Christian morality is psychotic. It says a lot that the 18 million children not baptised in the faith who die each year before turning five are all going to hell, yet all Dennis Nilson needs to do is accept Christ into his life to get an eternity in paradise.

Alan Hinnrichs

Gillespie Terrace

Dundee