Skip to main content

The Christian Institute: Archie Battersbee


Published August 12, 2022 

The Christian Institute has not been involved in the tragic case of Archie Battersbee. We can only reflect on what is in the court judgments, media coverage and other comment in the public domain.

Archie was found unconscious and not breathing by his mother on 7 April 2022. He was rushed to hospital, where he received further medical attention, but never regained consciousness. After a legal battle, in which Archie’s family were supported by the Christian Legal Centre, his life support was removed on 6 August.

First and foremost, we extend our sympathy to Archie’s family. They have been through a harrowing ordeal, and we pray that they will know God to be the Father of compassion and God of all comfort.

The case was highly complex. There were numerous court hearings over several months, and reams of medical evidence. One thing was clear: trust between the family and key medical staff sadly broke down.

Brain stem death

The first phase of court proceedings was around whether or not Archie was dead. The definition of death normally used in such cases is ‘brain stem death’. Some, including some Christians, reject this definition. There is an established process for diagnosing it, with a specific test including a series of different assessments. In this case, Archie’s condition meant the test could not be carried out.

Wrongly, the hospital still asked the High Court to decide, without this standard test, that Archie was dead (‘on the balance of probabilities’). Wrongly, the court did so. But this was, thankfully, overturned by the Court of Appeal.

A judge is in no position to diagnose brain death when medical professionals have been either unable or unwilling to do so. This would have been a dangerous extension of the definition of death, and we can all be thankful that it was stopped.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Donald Trump's unjust, unbiblical position is not pro-life: "And I think exceptions are very important.”

Donald Trump and Tudor Dixon Source: LifeSite News 'Trump told GOP gubernatorial candidate to soften her 'no exceptions' abortion platform in 2022' 'Pro-lifers point out that life begins at conception, that the deliberate killing of an unborn baby is never medically necessary, and that unborn babies are not at fault for the conditions of their conception.' LifeSite News Sept 6, 2023 https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/trump-told-gop-gubernatorial-candidate-to-soften-her-no-exceptions-abortion-platform-in-2022/ God says, "Thou shalt not kill (murder)." Exodus 20:13, KJV _______________   Steve Lefemine Christian pro-life, pro-personhood, pro-chastity missionary

57th Anniversary of Death of Racist, Eugenicist, Serial Adulteress, Pioneer of Birth Control, Founder of Planned Parenthood, Margaret Sanger on September 6, 1966 (9/6/66)

From Steve Lefemine, Christians for Personhood : 'Eugenics and Planned Parenthood – Margaret Sanger' Forgotten History https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OP7ZzV4Z338 "The term eugenics is basically a set of beliefs and practices that aim to improve the genetic quality of a human population, historically by excluding people and groups judged to be inferior and promoting those judged to be superior. But the Germans did not invent eugenics. In fact they were inspired by the founder of the taxpayer funded Planned Parenthood, Margaret Sanger. The truth behind the genesis of that organization and its founder are much darker than most Americans realize. " Hosted by Colin D. Heaton.  Forgotten History is a 10th Legion Pictures Production. ---------------------------- Margaret Sanger Obituary - New York Times, Sept 7, 1966 ____________________ MARGARET SANGER: - RACIST, EUGENICIST, SERIAL ADULTERESS - FOUNDER OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD - PIONEER OF BIRTH CONTROL - KEY PLAYER IN DEVELOP

Is Donald Trump Pro-Choice Again?

 Posted at  American ProLifer: Published September 18, 2023 Asked whether he would support a 15 week abortion ban, Trump refused to answer. He also would not say if the preborn baby has any constitutional rights. NBC’s Meet the Press aired the first extensive mainstream media interview with former President Donald Trump of the 2024 campaign. The interview Kicked off the popular Sunday morning political show under a new host, Kristen Welker. During the interview, Welker peppered Trump with questions, often attempting to fact-check him with dubious claims of her own. On abortion, Ms. Welker took a decidedly pro-abortion position, presenting only the abortion lobby’s talking points and falsely “fact-checking” Trump by stating that Democrats do not support abortion until birth, which of course, they do. NBC’s Kristen Welker Lied Repeatedly About Democrats’ Extreme Abortion Position https://t.co/5G3JoxoX1k — Mollie (@MZHemingway) September 18, 2023 For his part, Trump attempted to run away