The Bible And The Teachings Of Jesus

[1]Euthanasia, derived from Greek literally means good death. It is the act or practice of killing someone who is terminally ill or injured in order to prevent any more suffering. Some people could call it mercy killing. But is killing someone prematurely right? Why haven't more countries legalized euthanasia? Ask someone involved in caring of the terminally ill, they would simply argue that it is a slippery slope to assisted murder.

Euthanasia has been a controversial topic since the ancient Greek physicians. The word euthanasia has been used since the history of medicine. The Greek physicians or Hippocrates took an oath that they would never give their patients anything even if they requested it. The Hippocratic Oath has been used since 2,300 years ago until today (Harrigan). In the seventeenth century, American common law has punished people who have committed mercy killing. Then in the Enlightenment, writers “assaulted the church’s authority” of the teachings of euthanasia (“Historical Timeline”). A author from the Historical timeline said that if someone “condemned suicide as a wrong” and injures people and the community, then it “violates God’s authority over life.” The author says that someone killed a person or was asked to, then it violates God’s authority to give life to that person.

The catholic view of euthanasia is that euthanasia is morally wrong. it has always been

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

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

Euthanasia, or physician assisted suicide, is an important and controversial topic in our society today, and (under the correct conditions) should both be considered legal and morally acceptable. In fact, throughout history euthanasia has been a debate in many countries, some areas accepting the practice, whereas others find it unacceptable. Many people and professionals continue to refer to the Hippocratic Oath, an vow stating the proper conduct for doctors, and it's famous words "Do no harm." However, when it comes down to whatever holds people back, whether it is their views on religion or oaths from many years ago, it should be considered a correct practice. In fact, in the case of Vacco v. Quill, one point raised was that "Over time, the Hippocratic Oath has been changed, and deleted. In order to "do-no-harm" one would end suffering instead of prolonging it." With the use of Supreme Court cases, and professional psychologist and medical quotations, one can see the clear reasons that this topic must be allowed. In the end, euthanasia should definitely be considered correct both legally and morally due to one's legal rights, sensible ethical values, and the multiple positive benefits upon the legalization of euthanasia.

Giving someone the right to die has been debated on both moral and religious grounds. Many believe that people have the right to choose what to do with their own bodies. The opposition to this argument is that as a society, humanity should work to preserve all life. Those against assisted suicide also believe that if it is legalized, the service would be abused and people would be trapped, unable to change their minds after deciding to die and possibly being unable to express their thoughts. Religion, Catholicism in particular has a strong view opposing physician-assisted suicide. Pope Francis has stated that he views euthanasia as a part of today’s, “throw-away culture,” that it puts social pressure on the elderly and sick to die and stop draining their families as stated by The Telegraph. Catholicism also views assisted suicide as a sin against God and creation, as publicly stated by Pope

the problem is much more pressing than it has in the past, and both the

Many religions such as Protestantism, Buddhism, and Catholic go against Suicide in any form as well as some other religions. While this may be true, it goes against the constitution to entrust a religion on anybody. This being the case, Euthanasia patients should have the right to decide this. They should not be limited to other people’s beliefs. In the first amendment of the constitution, it prohibits the government from “encouraging or promot[ing]… religion in any way” ( ACLU 6). Exempting patients from Euthanasia because of religion is a form of discrimination amongst them. Religion should not take away the right to perform

Technically speaking, if a nation said that euthanasia was legal, then on a human level it would not be murder. But as societies often legislate moral issues in contradiction to the Bible and just because a society might say that euthanasia is good, does not mean that it is. (Slick, “What does the Bible say…”)

They understand the pain and emotional suffering but believe that a hospice is a better solution and that to commit Euthanasia is murder and a degrading act upon human life. Catholics argument for Euthanasia is the idea of quality of life. This term was created in 1970 as a term used to describe the general welfare of an individual. It was then gradually adopted as a term to describe one’s own persona existence. “Euthanasia is a grave violation of the law of God, since it is a deliberate and morally unacceptable killing of a human being. This doctrine is based upon the moral word law and upon the written word of God” – The

Christians are mostly against euthanasia. The arguments are usually based on the beliefs that life is given by God, and that human beings are made in God's image this is told to us in Genesis 1:27 “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them”. As Christians our laws are based upon the 10 commandments, the 6th commandment is” thou shalt not kill” this commandment is connected to Euthanasia because you are killing a child before they have had the chance to experience life. John. Paul II view on Euthanasia is “Euthanasia is a grave violation of the law of God, since it is the deliberate and morally unacceptable killing of a human person.”

The article that I will use to develop my case is by J. Gay-, “the wrongness of Euthanasia.” that argues against the practice.

Firstly, as a Christian community, the practice of euthanasia in hospitals is an act against our morals and values since the process of someone dying is very significant in spiritual matters and should be best if it is not disturbed by human activity. As humans, we should all know that one's life and existence in this planet is one of the most valuable gift as we all posses and carry God's image and His distinct values. Looking more into this, humans posses a capacity that no other living being can do, and that is to make them see things in another perspective, using the complexity of their minds to develop abilities. Thus, a patient's life can't just end by force, no matter the circumstances that they are dying. Ending one's life isn't the only way to eradicate one's pain when dying, rather, there are other ways to comfort a patient. One must be open to other suggestive ways of care such as the showering of care and affection, supporting their loved one till their dying breath, and to be accepting of one's dying condition. Christians should learn to value their life more and the lives of others around them as these were all handed down by God and expected to be taken care of.

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.