The Conflict of Religion and Euthanasia
There are a number of reasons why religious believers would be
concerned regarding assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia. The
Church’s belief concerning this matter is that if G-d has given the
gift of life then it should be “revered and cherished”. As far as the
Church is concerned, the deliberate taking of human life should be
prohibited, except in self-defence or defence of others.
Many religious believers hold sincere belief that to actively seek an
end to ones own, or another’s life would represent a lack of trust in
G-d and to them, suicide or euthanasia is a sin. To Roman Catholics,
suicide has always been considered a mortal sin, as the Catholic
argument is that the giving and taking of life is G-d’s domain.
Voluntary euthanasia is seen to be a concern for the Catholic Church
as taking someone else’s life, no matter what the circumstances is
perceived as murder. These arguments that the Church has against
assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia are based on the doctrine of
the Sanctity Of Life, which teaches that only G-d can begin life and
only G-d can end life.
There are also concerns about the medical profession underestimating
powers of recovery, or indeed misdiagnosing a disease or the
predictions of time left for a particular patient. A terminally ill
patient may improve health wise and carry on living for a further
amount of time than predicted by doctors. A religious believer would
be concerned that there would be no chance of divine intervention or a
‘miracle’ if the person’s life were ended prematurely. ...
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...uch facilities.
In terms of the elderly, society has changed in the way that families
have dispersed and often don’t live in such close proximity as they
used to years ago when families lived together and looked after the
elderly in their family. In some cultures, the elderly are revered and
valued and always looked after by their families. The Islamic religion
believes in putting family above all else and would try to make sure
that old people within their family are well looked after.
Religious groups often argue that euthanasia would be unnecessary if
we as a society took responsibility for the sick and elderly within
society. If communities pulled together in a common cause to take care
of these people to make them feel safe, loved and valued then perhaps
the argument on issues of death would be less necessary.
Both Islam and Catholicism can be considered two major religions in the world. Ninian Smart’s seven dimensions of religion define key element in a religion. Despite the fact that the two religions are different, there are some factors which are similar between the two religions. Catholicism and Islam can be compared and contrasted through Smart’s Doctrinal and Ethical Dimensions, the history of these faith traditions in Australia and a contemporary issue of euthanasia. Through the evaluation of the Doctrinal and Ethical dimensions of religion, history and the perspectives on euthanasia, it will become clear that Catholicism and Islam are able to be compared and contrasted.
First of all, we were not in charge of our birth, we had no input of when we wanted to be born, is only fair that we don’t decide our death. I believe God creates life, He and He alone should decide when and how a person should dye. Only when the time come. I think is unethical to kill someone just because their quality of life is not up to people’s standard. Who are we to decide who should live or die. God the creator creates, let him decide when a person should die. I promise you God does not need our health in that matter. Euthanasia is a serious topic; It goes against the standards of traditional medicine. First, doctors have to take the Hippocratic Oath to become a practicing physician. The Hippocratic Oath says do whatever you can to save people’s life, on the contrary, Euthanasia is basically just killing them if they want to die and avoid the suffering. Second, euthanasia is not always applied to terminally ill patients either. People who have been in serious accidents, or who have debilitating diseases often consider using euthanasia as a resolution to their suffering. I believe the act of euthanasia is against the principles of Beneficence, Non-maleficence, and Life Preservation. By virtue, Beneficence tells us to be good and be kind to others, also do things to benefits others, preventing people from harms or anything
Societies frequently reject the use of euthanasia because of the way in which it violates ethics. This is a major concern in the field of religion; along with other religions and religious leaders, Willem Velema of the Orthodox Protestant Church was “fiercely opposed” to the idea of euthanizing (Boer). From a religious standpoint, this procedure is wrong because patients and their families can act as God by determining time of death. Religion teaches that God keeps His children on the earth for a reason. After all, God puts certain obstacles in one’s life in order to make them stronger; resorting to death is a sign of weakness. Euthanasia is also opposed by many because of the way people take advantage of it. In Belgium, where Euthanization is legal, the number of medically induced deaths “has been going up” tremendously (Boer). In fact, “it has increased by an average of 15% a year” since 2006 (Boer). As numbers increase, citizens become desensitized to the idea, therefore, viewing it as a viable option in the face of pain.
This essay is dedicated to the expression of the various official views of religious bodies within our nation. Most major denominations are represented. These religions have long been the custodians of the truth, serving to check the erratic and unpredictable tendencies of political, judicial and social bodies which would have Americans killing off their elderly and handicapped.
aspect of it has to be the loving thing to do then it is possibly
Life. Did you have the free will to decide when your life began? If man didn’t have the power to decide when life began, why does man want to exert the right to end it? Life is one of the most valuable things that humans possess. Humans are the most complex of all creatures. Plenty of time is spent debating over beginning and ending of life issues such as, euthanasia. Euthanasia is a defined as, a “gentle and easy death”, derived from the Greek language (Keown 10). A “gentle and easy death” indicates that death would not come naturally, but by treatment or medication. For death to come by treatment or medication was not God’s intention for the termination of human lives. To illustrate, the Bible says, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Cor. 6:19-20). The body is a temple and it is a gift from God. Human beings were bought with a price for a valuable purpose.
Euthanasia dates back to the first century B.C. with the ancient Romans and Greeks. Euthanasia received its meaning from the Greek word euthanatos meaning good or well death. The idea of euthanasia came before Christianity and the value of individual human rights. In first century B.C. the Greeks and Romans had a “widespread support for voluntary death as opposed to prolonged agony, and physicians complied by often giving their patients the poisons they requested” (Dowbiggin). It was not until thirteenth century B.C. when Christianity was in full swing. The upbringing of Christianity placed euthanasia under the spot light. Many strict followers of Christianity and Judaism believed that human life is a responsibility of God; not to be put in the hands of a doctor. It was not until mid-seventeenth century when reformation of the church began. Reformation brought upo...
The topic of euthanasia and assisted suicide is very controversial. People who support euthanasia say that it is someone 's right to end their own life in the case of a terminal illness. Those in favor of this right consider the quality of life of the people suffering and say it is their life and, therefore, it is their decision. The people against euthanasia argue that the laws are in place to protect people from corrupt doctors. Some of the people who disagree with assisted suicide come from a religious background and say that it is against God’s plan to end one 's life. In between these two extreme beliefs there are some people who support assisted suicide to a certain degree and some people who agree on certain terms and not on others.
Is society playing the role of God or is the world so wrapped up in their lives that God no longer matters? Euthanasia has been around since the ancient Romans and Greeks and has been a highly debated subject just as it is today. In history and in arguments stated today is that “people are the created and not the Creator” (Gula 26). There are many things that society can argue about the subject of euthanasia but the main debate is that euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide is wrong. Society gets euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide confused because they both have to do with physicians tending to the patient’s death. Society is either for or against euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. It is debated throughout history, within the church, and even within the medical profession; however euthanasia is wrong.
Dying with dignity, mercy death, right to die, and assisted suicide are just a few of the common terms, which describe a person’s death by euthanasia. Euthanasia has and always will be a very sensitive and controversial topic. There are two common questions surrounding this dilemma. The first is when is it considered mercy? Is it when a person is facing a terminal illness? The second is when is considered murder? Is it when a person looking for an easy way out of suffering and pain? This paper will examine the ethical dilemma of euthanasia according to the Christian worldview and compare it to other options of resolving the dilemma.
The first definition of ethical in the dictionary is “pertaining to, or dealing with morals or the principles of morality; pertaining to right and wrong in conduct.” The first definition Dilemma is defined as “a situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives.” Using these two definitions, an ethical dilemma can be defined as when a person has to choose a decision that goes against one’s morals. One alternative may have a negative impact on one’s life or another person’s life. Another alternative may be an excellent choice for one person but may have negative impacts as well. Therefore, an ethical dilemma often puts ones morals and values into question. This paper will review a case study of euthanasia,
A recent poll founded by the Canadian Medical Association found that “only one in five doctors surveyed. . . said they would be willing to perform euthanasia if the practice were legalized. . . Twice as many – 42 percent – said they would refuse to do so” (Kirkey 1). Euthanasia is defined as giving a patient the right to die early with a physician’s assistance, and the legalization of this practice is being considered by lawmakers in many countries, including the United States. Accordingly, 42 percent of doctors in Canada are on the right side of this debate. Euthanasia should not be legalized because it violates society’s views that life is sacred, creates economic pressure for doctors, and for those countries that have legalized it, their laws are not specific enough to fully protect patients.
The catholic view of euthanasia is that euthanasia is morally wrong. it has always been
In their case decision about euthanasia are in hands of his or her family and not always are good for those who are ill. However, even in a situation where the person taking this decision it is fully aware of , and indeed it wants , it is not morally ambiguous. The main arguments which they appear , refer mainly to metaphysical questions . It is said here that man has no right to decide about his death, just as you do not decide about the birth . Opponents believe that every human being has appointed his own time to live and he has no right to interfere in it . If we assume that the decision maker on these matters is God , this discussion is theoretically resolved . If God is the giver of life and his Lord , then only he can decide about death - that is independent of religion , which point of view we
Euthanasia is described by the Oxford English Dictionary as ‘The bringing about of a gentle and easy death, especially in the case of incurable and painful diseases’ .