Christian Beliefs on Euthanasia
We as Christians believe that god created the world and every thing
that lives on it. We believe that because he created it we have not
got the right to create or end someone's life. Humans are different
from
other aspects of life because he gave us free will and he also gave us
responsibility to care for ourselves and particularly for those at the
end of their lives.
Euthanasia comes from the Greek word meaning easy death. It's when you
commit a merciful act of helping a person to end their life in a
painless way due to a terminal or very painful health condition.
Sanctity of life means that life is a gift from god. Only god can
decide when a life begins or ends. Any deliberate killing of the
innocent without gods authority is wrong, and against the natural law.
This extends to the situations where a persons life is ended at there
own request. Violently euthanasia breaks this principle because people
do not have the right to choose for themselves.
We believe that we are all brothers and sisters in the world. We have
the responsibility to care for those at the end of their lives.
Although the Catholic Church does not support euthanasia we as
Christians have the
responsibility to make decisions when a person is in a great deal; of
pain and asks to be given euthanasia. We should treat all other
people, as we would like to be treated.
The Catholic Church teaches that all euthanasia is wrong. Suicide and
voluntary suicide and voluntary euthanasia are also wrong because its
murder. One of the Ten Commandments though shall not kill as
Christians we have to follow this. Church of England does not support
euthanasia but it has mixed views on the subject compared to
Catholics. They say that you should be responsible for your own
actions it is your
decision on what to do. Quakers are not united together on the
subject; some Quakers believe that people suffering should be allowed
Any discussion that pertains to the topic of euthanasia must first include a clear definition of the key terms and issues. With this in mind, it should be noted that euthanasia includes both what has been called physician-assisted "suicide" and voluntary active euthanasia. Physician-assisted suicide involves providing lethal medication(s) available to the patient to be used at a time of the patient’s own choosing (Boudreau, p.2, 2014). Indifferently, voluntary active euthanasia involves the physician taking an active role in carrying out the patient’s request, and usually involves intravenous delivery of a lethal substance. Physician-assisted suicide is felt to be easier psychologically for the physician and patient than euthanasia because
life, and acting upon his responsibilities in order to follow with his heart, instead of with
assist his people. An example of him doing this is when he speaks of himself
that god had not said that it was against his word, so that he can
life; for example their choice of clothing, choice of loving and having feelings, or choice of family
Euthanasia is when a terminally ill or suffering patient makes the decision to stop their pain and suffering. When the patient makes this decision for themselves, this is known as active euthanasia. If a patient is in a coma or are mentally impaired and someone makes the decision for them, this is passive euthanasia (ProCon.org, 2017). For example, a patient is suffering from brain damage and would be on feeding tubes and non-cognitive for the entirety of their life, the family then decides to have the family member not suffer; this would be passive euthanasia. The main legal issue surrounding euthanasia is if it is moral. How is it not considered assisted murder? Does euthanasia violate the oath that doctors must take?
The catholic view of euthanasia is that euthanasia is morally wrong. it has always been
As patients come closer to the end of their lives, certain organs stop performing as well as they use to. People are unable to do simple tasks like putting on clothes, going to the restroom without assistance, eat on our own, and sometimes even breathe without the help of a machine. Needing to depend on someone for everything suddenly brings feelings of helplessness much like an infant feels. It is easy to see why some patients with terminal illnesses would seek any type of relief from this hardship, even if that relief is suicide. Euthanasia or assisted suicide is where a physician would give a patient an aid in dying. “Assisted suicide is a controversial medical and ethical issue based on the question of whether, in certain situations, Medical practioners should be allowed to help patients actively determine the time and circumstances of their death” (Lee). “Arguments for and against assisted suicide (sometimes called the “right to die” debate) are complicated by the fact that they come from very many different points of view: medical issues, ethical issues, legal issues, religious issues, and social issues all play a part in shaping people’s opinions on the subject” (Lee). Euthanasia should not be legalized because it is considered murder, it goes against physicians’ Hippocratic Oath, violates the Controlled
and shapes the person he is and is to become. There are also some much
Buddhist teachings and worship are what influence an adherent and the Buddhist community to change their lifestyles as they further understand the Buddhism way of life and its teachings. The buddhist method of communicating its messages includes the Buddhist views on Bioethics, Laws of Buddhism that promote influential change through the temple Puja, and the role of the Tibetan Buddhist leader the Dalai lama.
No stance or opinion has ever been universally backed, and euthanasia is a complicated issue with many facets. The consequences of the Catholic Church’s teachings regarding euthanasia are many and have both their positive and negative effects. A negative effect is friction caused between Catholics who support euthanasia and are put between a rock and a hard place when faced with a decision that must be made. While it is positive that the Catholic stance on euthanasia provides a third perspective that may aid the decision maker, should the person making the decision choose to use euthanasia, living with the consequences could be made more difficult with the knowledge of the Catholic Church’s condemnation of the practice. Another positive
Abortion is the purposeful killing of an unborn human being. As Christians, our values exhibit the position that abortion is immoral and therefore should not be allowed. The Christian foundation for protecting human life is evident in several passages within the Bible. Jesus himself seemed to evidentially care the most about the weak and helpless in the world, and what could be more helpless than an unborn baby that cannot make decisions for themselves? These principles within the Bible that display how life is precious and that all humans are made in the image of God including the unborn further support the pro-life position of abortion.
An incredibly controversial issue clouds the minds of millions of people everyday as death confronts them. The problem revolves around the ethics of euthanasia. Should medical assisted suicide be outlawed in all situations or under certain circumstances, could it be considered ethical? Do humans violate nature’s course with science and advanced technology by playing God? Why should doctors and families witness their loved ones suffer when the solution of euthanasia promises a painless death? Authors Andrea E. Richardson and David Miller of the articles “Death with Dignity: The Ultimate Human Right” and “From Life to Death in a Peaceful Instant” reflect upon their experiences and feelings on these questions.
to have people to their own thoughts and opinions toward life. He did not think
everything we have, we dedicate it to Him, and we live our lives in service to Him.