No Euthanisia in Our Christian Community

Legalise euthanasia will ultimately undermine doctor-patient relationship. Euthanasia is basically giving doctors the right to kill their patients. ‘It’s not up to the doctors whether life is happy or unhappy, worthwhile or not and

As euthanasia has become a prevalent topic in our society, many opinions have formed regarding the morality of it and whether it goes against Christian beliefs. Two opposing points of view, both written by Christians, explore this topic. John Shelby Spong argues in his article “Euthanasia Does Not Violate Christian Beliefs” that Christians need to reevaluate their view on assisted suicide and that it should be an individual choice. Chris Armstrong argues against euthanasia in the article “Christianity Condemns Voluntary Euthanasia” and contends that as Christians, we should never support the taking of life. While both authors agree that passive euthanasia

I do understand that there are ethical codes that must be upheld by those practicing medicine. I also understand that euthanasia pushes the boundaries of those ethical codes. Physicians have a responsibility to do what is thought to be in the best interest of their patients. Who says that a peaceful death opposed to an unbearably painful one isn’t in the best interest of the patient? Dr. Philip Nitschke explains that “at Exit International [their] motto is ‘a peaceful

defined as the mode or act of inducing death painlessly or as a relief for pain. Although there

Death is a touchy enough subject for people; add in the idea of assisted suicides and there’s an uproar in society. Euthanasia or physician assisted suicide is a very controversial topic in our society today. Physician assisted suicide by definition is “suicide by a patient facilitated by means (as a drug prescription) or information (as an indication of a lethal dosage) provided by a physician aware of the patient’s intent (Merriam-Webster). There are two modes of looking at assisted suicides; either it’s seen as an absurd immoral decision to take away the life of someone or it’s seen as a logical and peaceful release from pain and misery. There’s this idea that asking a healthcare provider to help you end your life is unfair and unnecessary, no matter how much a person is suffering suicide is not justified. People fear patients changing their minds, physicians being severely impacted by this, and families not agreeing with the decision making it hard to cope. On the other side people believe that it’s freedom of choice to choose to be medically assisted with a suicide; this is a right the patient has. Some believe if you’re in pain and dying why should you be forced to stay in a painful state of life. Freedom of choice versus life isn’t ours to take away. If you were in a terminally ill patients position, what would you do?

Euthanasia is argued to be defined as depriving of life or causing the death of a living being. A primary and controversial component to euthanasia is the idea that the physicians are acting in “God” like form. Christians are thought to believe that “thou shall not kill.” Christians believe that all human beings have been in created in God’s image and should be cherished in all circumstances. However, according to the article written by Ann-Marie Begley, she explains, “if only God can end a life, then clearly all instances of killing are wrong, including killing in war and self defense” (Begley 300). The only way this philosophy can be upheld is with complete pacifism in which most Christians would not agree with. The other argument opposing euthanasia is the concern about the perceived public role of the physician. The metaphorical stance of doctors seen around the country is that they are the ‘enemies of death.’ The fear is that the image would be eroded resulting in the lost of trust within the public. Ann-Marie Begley explains, “the trust does not rest with the cure and healing but with the compassion and a recognition that there comes a time when the healer has reached the limits of his or her ability” (Begley 303). The argument of depriving someone of life is also seen in equivalence to murder. Scholars also differentiate murder from euthanasia in that euthanasia there is no malice

People opposed to euthanasia may argue that physician assisted suicide is going against God. However, people shouldn’t lengthen the process of dying than what is absolutely necessary. In his article on euthanasia, Steve Seibold wrote, “If someone chooses to believe that God wants her to suffer through a terminal illness that's her decision, but when you force the rest of us to obey laws based on evidence-less beliefs, it’s wrong and needs to be stopped.” Others may possibly mention that life is sacred and euthanasia cheapens the value of life. On the other hand, all people, who are mentally capable of deciding, should have equal rights and opportunities to live, or to decide not to continue

If anyone destroys God 's temple, God will destroy him. For God 's temple is holy, and you are that temple.” (1 Cor 3:16-17). God has created us, and has power over all of us, and we must not destroy God’s creation. However, there is nothing in the bible that tells us we must do absolutely all we can to keep someone alive. We are under no obligation to prolong the life of someone who is suffering, and instead we should support the person in the process of dying and make them comfortable. We should not hasten death, even if a government allows it. Whilst it would then be morally acceptable on a human level, it is still in defiance of God, and as is said in the Acts 5:29, “We are to obey God, rather than men.” As Jesus said, “love one another as I have loved you”, we must always care for each other, and in the process of death is is most important to support the person, and not hasten it. The bible says to obey God, and not to murder, whilst Jesus says to love each other. Therefore, Euthanasia would be considered a sin, from what is said in the bible, but passive euthanasia would be acceptable.

Being Christians and disciples of Christ means that we embrace those who are dieing and not provide them with the means of dying. An easy and fast solution would be self assisted suicide but, Christians are called to be strong throughout situations and should not expect the easy or fast approach. We should choose to do what is right, the humane thing in life, as well as spread our faith. Physician- Assisted suicide is wrong since we are inhabitants of God's world, and do not process the ability or right to take a life and are called to be strong at all times while spreading God's message. In clear words, God has instructed us not to kill, and to love our neighbor as

The Voluntary Euthanasia Society (EXIT) believes that faced with terminal illness, pain or a useless existence, for which there is no cure, everyone should be able to turn to "…..the mercy of a painless death"(). God is love. Christianity is love and compassion. Keeping someone in pain and suffering is not loving, it is evil. Euthanasia can be the most loving action, and the best way of putting agape love into practice.

Legalizing euthanasia would cause a very huge despair and depression for the relatives of the deceased person. The family would feel responsible and depressed when taking the decision whether or not their family member should continue living. By legalizing euthanasia and its applications it will bring undesirable and unforgettable feelings for the

For many Christians, we are mostly against Euthanasia. Instead, the Christian religion recognizes that we suffer death, then they go in God’s hands and trust him. When someone is terminally ill, both sides of people should prepare for death at any time. As for a different religion, their views and values are different from someone else. A quote from Pope John Paul II said this, “Euthanasia is a grave violation of the law of God, since it is deliberate and morally unaccepted killing of a human person. This can be summarized as you shall not kill anyone. As for the Right-to-Die, they believe human beings do not have the right to do that particular action among others. And, when you ask them about their beliefs about assisted suicide, they believe that it is morally wrong to help someone kill themselves. Pope John Paul II said this about compassion “True compassion leads to sharing another’s; it does not kill the person whose suffering we cannot bear.” (BBC). When I read this, I thought we share another person’s love for a person, but we do not kill the person they are suffering unless we cannot bear it at all. We cannot bear anyone’s pain, besides our own is what I interpret from reading the last

Legalizing euthanasia provides a way to relieve extreme pain. Modern medicine has brought great benefits to humanity such as prolonging life, but by prolonging life it is also

This raises the question, is euthanasia murder? and in many Christian’s view is that if a life is taken away earlier than God planed then it is murder and therefore many Christian’s point of view on euthanasia is that it is wrong.

Euthanasia is one of the most complex and morally critical health care practice and policy issues that doctors and nurses must face and advocate for (Gardner). Even though doctors and nurses must follow some sort of code of ethics, following those codes can be difficult for some because their personal feelings about end-of-life care come into play making it problematic for them to truly rationalize the situation. Doctors are required to take the Hippocratic Oath, which in relation to euthanasia, states, “I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this