A new Illinois law allowing medical personnel to provide terminally ill people the means to end their lives has drawn sharp response from Southern Baptists’ Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. With the support of the Illinois Baptist State Association, the ERLC is publishing a new resource to help churches confront assisted suicide.
“It could be easy to think that what happens in the statehouse is disconnected from everyday life if legislation doesn’t directly touch my situation,” said IBSA administrative director for communications Ben Jones. “But pastors are called to step into the difficult situations where culture and legislation say one thing, but the Bible speaks differently, because that’s where their people are. The signing into law of SB 1950, the Medical Aid in Dying Bill, is a perfect example.”
Gov. JB Pritzker signed the bill into law in December 2025, making Illinois the first Midwest state to legalize physician-assisted suicide. It became effective in September, but three lawsuits were filed to block it. One, still in effect temporarily, prevents enforcement in Catholic-operated medical facilities. In all, 12 states and the District of Columbia have passed similar legislation.
‘Ready to extend passion’
In a joint letter to Southern Baptists, ERLC President Evan Lenow and IBSA Executive Director Scott Foshie stated, “… we’re made in the image of God. And because of that, we have personhood that extends from the moment of fertilization all the way to the point of death.” Rather than accept the new law, which they called “antithetical to the Bible,” “our churches can be ready to extend compassion and care to those wrestling with end-of-life issues.”
ERLC is publishing a special resource for churches to use in teaching on the subject, and opposing legislation in states where it may be introduced. “Consider all the possible situations a pastor or church might encounter if a church member or family member is wrestling with a terminal illness or despair,” Jones said. “Government approval might seem like tacit encouragement to end his or her own life.”
Oregon was the first state to pass assisted-suicide legislation for terminally ill people. In 2024, there were 607 recipients of the medication, and 376 deaths. The number has risen from 42 in 2003.
‘Now is the time’
In Canada, the one-year high was 15,343 deaths in 2023, totaling 4.7 % of all deaths in the country that year, according to the state government policy group CSG Midwest.
“The ERLC is working to equip your church to stand against the spread of legalized euthanasia, MAiD, and physician-assisted suicide,” Lenow and Foshie wrote. “These issues comprise the new affront to the dignity and sanctity of every life. Now is the time for our churches to prepare to navigate this issue. Together, we can serve our churches, stand for truth, and shape our culture on this important issue.”
Lenow will be a platform guest at the IBSA Annual Meeting Nov. 3–4. Under his leadership, the ERLC is increasing its focus on equipping SBC churches to handle vital cultural issues.
ERLC also places ultrasound machines in pregnancy resource centers and lobbies in Washington for pro-life issues.
The new resources will be available soon.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Eric Reed and originally published by the Illinois Baptist.
