The idol of autonomy in the West

If I asked you to name one of the great cultural idols of the secular Western world, what would you say? Materialism? Ease and comfort? Or what about autonomy?

It is the belief in autonomy that has fuelled the more than 10 million abortions that have taken place since 1967 when Parliament passed the legislation. In fact, the creed of the ‘pro-choice’ movement has as its chief article of faith a statement of autonomy: 'my body, my choice.'

The worship of autonomy is also one of the great drivers behind the ongoing push for assisted suicide across the UK. This is true in Scotland, where a Bill is being considered by a committee. It is true in the Isle of Man where legislation is also under scrutiny. It is true in Jersey where there seems to be fresh momentum for assisted suicide.