|
Many Christians
are opposed to euthanasia on biblical grounds.
Euthanasia itself is not discussed in the Bible, but the sanctity of life
is.
Genesis 2 God breathed
into Adam the breath of life. (Implication is) Adam is alive because God
made him so.
Job 1:20 The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. This could be applied
to life.
Eccles 3:1 A time to be born and a time to die.
In addition to this
they point out that Jesus healed the sick. He didn’t put them out
of their misery. He even brought the dead back to life.
Luke 7:11-17 The raising of the widow of Nain’s son.
Luke 8:49-56 The raising of Jairus’ daughter.
John 11 The raising of Lazarus.
Roman Catholic
Church
They regard euthanasia in the same way as murder.
They do allow drugs to be administered to a terminally sick person, which
may shorten life.
They do not agree that feeding should be withheld from a sick unconscious
person who is not expected to recover.
Hospice Movement
Describe this and he role of Dame Cicely Saunders – St Joseph’s
Hospice.
A hospice will do all it can to relieve suffering in the face of death.
Some Christians
are in favour of euthanasia.
Large numbers of Christian hold this view. Their reasons for doing so
though may not be specifically Christian.
These Christians realize
that medical science as advanced and that people can be given advanced
treatments which may keep them alive longer.
They say euthanasia is not just about killing, but about deciding when
enough is enough.
For example
Where there is an incurable illness and pain is being endured –
Or
A patient has lost consciousness and is totally reliant on machines for
life.
In situations such as these a Christian might consider euthanasia as a
dignified option.
However
Where euthanasia is discussed because the patient’s illness is having
a detrimental effect on his or her carers
Or
When foreign hospitals known to specialize in “Assisted Suicide”
are being considered, then a Christian may be more dubious about the value
of euthanasia as a solution.
Church of
England
Stresses that the sanctity of life is important.
It accepts that doctors do not have to do everything possible to keep
people alive regardless of their quality of life
Conclusion
This boils down to a balancing act about the sanctity of life.
Under this heading a Christian feels
1 There is an obligation
not to take life (Murder)
2 There is an obligation
not to allow human suffering.
Many Christians feel
torn in making this personal decision
|