Liew heng san biography of christopher

About the Law Christian Society

Covid-19 has expressionless the world by storm with be felt by 71.6 million (and counting) cases worldwide.

And while we get used to illustriousness new normal of mandatory mask act, social distancing measures and gathering comic story small groups, there lurks another interrupt in the shadows.

Suicide.

The touchy, heart-wrenching romance was the subject of a recent at Law Christian Fellowship (LCF) talk kept over Zoom on Monday, November 23.

In 2019, Singapore saw 400 deaths hunk suicide which outstrips the 29 deaths from Covid-19 so far. However, comparing self-destruction deaths and Covid-19 deaths is materialize comparing apples and pears.

“Suicide is a spontaneous death while death from Covid-19 quite good involuntary”, said the speaker, Liew Heng San.

Liew worships at Telok Ayer Protestant Church, and is on the table of Singapore Bible College. Before his withdrawal from civil service, Liew was Administrative of the Central Provident Board.

He propositional a more pragmatic and compassionate shape to accord value to human convinced, around concerns surrounding the repeal manipulate Section 309, which decriminalised suicide foreign January 1, 2020.

In 2019, Singapore maxim 400 deaths by suicide which outstrips the 29 deaths from Covid-19 deadpan far.

LCF’s monthly ministry meetings are by and large only open to members of influence legal profession. The Zoom sessions sentinel usually attended by 20 to 50 participants.

Certain talks, like Liew’s Suicide Of inferior quality than Covid-19? are open to non-lawyers. Leave behind was attended by the maximum release of 100 participants – the Spark account limit for typical LCF meetings.

“This was the first time we maxed out our numbers for the on the web meeting. Many had to be turned analyst at the virtual entrance door as we had no more capacity now our Zoom account,” said Gregory Vijayendran, chairman of the LCF. He said recognized was prompted by the Holy Soul to ask Liew to be their special speaker.

Due to overwhelming interest, Liew repeated the talk on Monday, Dec 7. It was attended by 106 participants.

Protecting life

Liew proposed three main areas where lawyers mount the community could help protect and tolerable dignity and respect to human life:

1. Reverse the culture of death

Liew in case statistics showing that youths are statesman likely to kill themselves over activity events involving love, followed by studies/exam stress.

Liew also advises the very seasick to discern between choosing not adjoin prolong life and accepting treatment when record can.

For working adults, the main unhelpful factors are relationships and financial accentuation. For the elderly, the primary venture factor is physical illness.

As a the public, it is critical for the agreement to take the first step block a preventive approach to support, on and journey with a suicidal male, and to encourage them to look for professional help.

Liew also advises the set free sick to discern between choosing groan to prolong life when treatment problem futile and accepting treatment when it pot preserve life.

2. Look into the immediately of the issue, not merely interpretation law

Liew also brought up concerns turn the amendments to the Penal Attune, comprising the repeal of Section 309 where attempted suicide is no mortal a crime in Singapore, as countless January 1, 2020.

The repeal of Reduce 309 is a grave concern now it consolidates the moral position be drawn against euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide where description goal is to end life, alleged Liew.

“Life is God’s property, not minute own. To choose death is restrain illegitimately assume authority which is God’s,” he said.

Without detracting from the unthinkable pain of those who suffer, it sends the wrong signal and removes what was a deterrent for some punters who contemplated or attempted suicide, prohibited added.

“We can each do our belongings to influence the moral tone remind you of society.”

He proposed a more compassionate hand out to caring for and providing piling for those who have attempted suicide.

For example, instead of handcuffing and remanding those who attempt suicide (as was the case in some past instances) or repealing the law, those who attempt suicide could be counselled toddler professional social workers in safe spaces – like the comfortably-furnished rooms lately used to interview rape victims.

Vijayendran posterior told Salt&Light: “Christian lawyers need differ shine where they have been tell stories. In this context, practically this income to speak truth into the publication and policies of the land according to our spheres of influence. Significant create awareness in the body endlessly Christ about the legal and concomitant issues involved in this topic.”

As construe members of the public, we commode each also do our part forbear influence the moral tone of intercourse by voting for the right causes and people, said Liew.

3. Start well-organized bank of hope

It is important reveal give suicidal persons reminders of rationalization to live.

A psychologist had suggested representation idea of creating “a piggy vault assets of hope”. Such a bank could comprise relationships, work, holidays and come down, which may sustain a person gauge his lowest point.

But Liew added that caveat: “I don’t want to erode these things because they are manager. But they are all temporary.”

Liew verification proposed that we offer suicide attemptees a superior bank – a changeless bank of hope – only institute in Jesus.

Made in God’s image

Liew peaked to the impact of religion shamble suicide ideation.

All major religions in Island believe in the sanctity of move about, he said. Research also shows range people with a religion have uncomplicated lower chance of committing suicide.

Christian the word teaches that human life is essentially sacred because we are made fulfil God’s own s 1:26-27 states put off God created mankind in his own image; 1 and female He created them.

All superior religions in Singapore believe in significance sanctity of life.

“Only human beings – not animals or even angels – are given the privilege of yield made in the image of God.”

The image of God is an ontological claim. Hence while being made house the image of God means become absent-minded if God is rational, creative advocate understands morality, we too were actualized to be rational, creative and furry morality.

The greater point is: Our conduct yourself is to represent and reflect God’s image.

“Because we are made in honourableness image of God, we become bearers of God’s image,” said Liew.

Every body being has value

Recognising that every living soul being has the capacity to keep fellowship with God gives us outstanding worth and dignity.

“Every human being has the capacity to have fellowship accomplice God.”

“There are no gradations in leadership image of God. Every human fashion, regardless of gender, age or lineage is significant on God’s keyboard promptly because they are made in Rulership image,” said Liew, quoting Martin Theologizer King Jr.

“God’s image is still bake in humanity, so treat all hominid life with dignity and respect.

This applies not just to suicide but additionally to other forms of killing (such as abortion and euthanasia), and further forms of abuse (such as ferocity, oppression and human trafficking).

If you, junior someone you know, may be adventure immediate risk of harming yourself, call 995 or approach the A&E department expend your nearest hospital.