Kraig Ekstein
Buck, Todd
RELU 110
October 27, 2013
Euthanasia
Throughout the world there are many contemporary ethical issues pertaining different religions throughout the globe. These issues have been around for many years and are still quite debated in today’s society. One of the most controversial issues is wither euthanasia is right or wrong. Euthanasia is an ongoing topic in religions throughout the world and each carries their own personal beliefs on the topic. In order to understand how the different Abrahamic religious beliefs vary on this controversial topic it is important to understand euthanasia; and understand with all the developments in medical technologies, the true meaning of death has changed drastically over the
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Many are against euthanasia because they don’t understand the true purpose behind euthanasia. As Ezekiel explains, “Physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia should not be performed simply because a patient is depressed, tired of life, worried about being a burden, or worried about being dependent. All these may be signs that not every effort has yet been made.” Euthanasia is a big decision for many people including the patient, the family, and the doctors who have to make the ultimate decision on wither or not euthanasia is the right answer.
In addition to understanding the true definition of euthanasia, it is also important to understand the beliefs of some of the oldest religions in history, the original Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Judaism despite the advances in technology, feel the same about euthanasia as they have for hundreds of years. Judaism understands and recognize the pain of the individual who is suffering and the effect it may have on the family, However the Jewish religion still strongly reacts against the compromising of a person’s life and their right to live even in the occurrence of extreme desperation. As explained by the South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, “Judaism firmly believes that only G-d has the right to extinguish life. In religious morality, the body is essentially the property of G-d, and one has no right to decide the fate of one’s own body.” Judaism continues to believe that life is a gift
For most people the topic of death can be very disheartening or painful to talk about not only in regards to their own death, but in regards to that of a loved one, family member, or even a friend, so generally they try to steer clear of that particular subject. However if euthanasia is brought up into the conversation views change and people want to make their voices and opinions heard, especially when it is in regards to their religious beliefs about the matter, sometimes it just sparks a flame deep down inside of an individual that they did not even realize they had. Euthanasia is, “the act or practice of killing hopelessly sick or injured individuals (as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy.”(www.merriam-webster.com). The majority of most religions are against euthanasia because they feel as though it goes against their beliefs, Roman Catholics, Judaism, Islam, Buddhist and Protestant just to name a few. There are plenty of reasons why these religious groups feel so strongly about euthanasia each has their own view on the matter, but they come together to an understanding about this topic. The major reasons why they feel as if euthanasia violates a religious standpoint is that collectively these groups feel that only God has the power to take life away, it devalues human life, it is seen as murder or even suicide and religious scripture has taught against a person or another person ending someone’s life.
be fed orally because of blistering in the mouth and throat. Any movement of the
As for its historical account, euthanasia was widely accepted in its conceptualization by the ancient Greeks and Romans. From there on out, however, there has been much controversy regarding this ethical matter. Many religious
When someone is inevitably dying and in inexplicable pain is it really a crime to grant their wishes and end their suffering? As of right now euthanasia is illegal in many countries and is a very controversial topic. Is it compassion for the patient helping them in ending their life or murder? The doctor is not giving death as an option, it is the patients choice and even where it is legal there are many rules. Euthanasia should not be considered a crime because the patient is not being murdered; they are having their suffering end in a painless, humane way out of compassion for the patient and their family.
Moreover, euthanasia is restricted by the church. This is another important point that we should consider, especially for religious people. According to “Death and Dignity” it is emphasized that “Life is a gift from God and it is only God who can take it back”. Christian’s point of view considers euthanasia as a crime against church, religion and God. Christians consider this as an immoral act. When considering the religious factor as well, we can conclude that no one has the right to take control over our lives, especially when we are unconscious.
Euthanasia is considered inhumane to a huge amount of people. Many people believe that the patients are not in the right mind to make that decision. The patient could be depressed or they do not know how to cope with the struggles in their life and that is why they turn to euthanasia. Many people believe that euthanasia is messing with fate because it is an assisted suicide. A patient should not have that much of power or that much control of their life. In religions Christianity and Islam believe that
Beliefs of Different Religions About Euthanasia For this essay I have decided to study the two religions Christianity and Buddhism. Buddhism has no major denominations, unlike Christianity, which has many denominations around the globe. However, I am only going to focus on Christianity as a whole, quoting teachings from the Bible (Old and New Testament), and then referring to the two major denominations of Anglican and Roman Catholic when their points on euthanasia are absolute. I have chosen those particular denominations of Christianity because Anglican represents Christianity as a whole, a basis, and Catholicism has some very strict rules that cannot be ignored.
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,
Religious beliefs are fundamental for most of the population in this world, as the religion is like the pillar that bound people together. Every religion taught their disciple to respect the life ultimately. Therefore, deprivation of life and legalising euthanasia is unacceptable for the people who have a religious orientation*. Conversely, at another side of the world, people do believe in the right of life. Euthanasia’s supporters believe that a person that suffering terminal illness has the autonomy in the matters of life and death*.
Many people reject the idea of euthanasia because of their religion and beliefs. Christians and Catholics are the dominating religion that opposes euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. They claim that god was the one that created the human body, and only he can take it away (ProCon) . They also say that Jesus had suffered for mankind so the right thing to do is suffer just the way he did. The other half of the people that is against euthanasia, believe in miracles
I would like to begin by defining the issue of the article by Patrick Nowell-Smith. The issue of his article is legalizing euthanasia and giving people a right to decide when and how to die.
Islam has definite views on euthanasia, and this essay will bring to the fore all of the main beliefs relevant to the issue of euthanasia/assisted suicide. Islam spells things out quite plainly, with enough similes to clarify every point in the system of beliefs.
Humans, like all animals, attempt to evade death. Though death is usually seen as an unwanted end, some see it as an alternative to suffering. Most people cringe at the thought of suicide, but is euthanasia the same thing? Do human beings have the right to choose death?
As I stated earlier, many oppose physician-assisted suicide for many different moral and ethical reasons. Many people all around the world are against the legalization of physician-assisted suicide because according to Nargus Ebrahimi’s article “The Ethics of Euthanasia,”
Euthanasia is defined as, "The act or practice of putting to death painlessly a person suffering from an incurable disease." Euthanasia can be traced back as far back as the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. It was sometimes allowed in these civilizations to help others die. Voluntary euthanasia was approved in these ancient societies. Today, the practice of euthanasia causes great controversy. Both pro-life groups and right-to-die groups present arguments for their different sides. Pro-life groups make arguments and present fears against euthanasia. I contend that the case for the right to die is the stronger argument.