Religious views about
Euthanasia.
L.O
To know Christian and Sikh teachings / key words about
Euthanasia.
To understand that within a religion there will be a
variety of views.
What key principles / quotes might a
CHRISTIAN use AGAINST euthanasia?
The Pope
Head of R C Church
Sanctity of Life
He said “euthanasia is a crime
that cannot be made legal by
any means”
Life is precious,
sacred and holy
CREATED by God
(Genesis Ch1)
Quality of Life
Consider the mental,
physical and spiritual
dimensions of a
person… can they be
improved?
10 Commandments
“Do not murder”
(Exodus Ch20)
Suffering makes you
stronger! It may have
a purpose!
Jesus Suffered
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/clips/zskpvcw
The wife of Colin Frampton, a former
Baptist minister, talks about her
husband's rare, progressive illness
and her experiences and beliefs. Mrs
Frampton explains, as a Christian,
she believes only God has the right to
determine the time of death. She
describes palliative care nurses as
'angels without wings'. She does not
believe in assisted dying but accepts
that at some stage it would be right
to withdraw treatment and to allow a
natural death.
Christian Alternatives to Euthanasia
Dame Cicely Saunders
EUTHANASIA .. A Christian response.
 Not all Christians have the same view point!
 ALL Christians will look to the ideas of Sanctity of Life, Quality of Life
and Agape.
 Many Christians would see that Jesus suffered on the cross and that
suffering makes you a stronger person and has purpose.
 Many Christians would say that you should trust God … he has a time
for you to die.
 ROMAN CATHOLICS are AGAINST EUTHANASIA. It’s a grave
violation of God’s Law. Only God can take a life .. Do not Murder!!
They believe that you can go too far with medical operations and that you
shouldn’t go to extra ordinary lengths just to keep someone alive.
They agree with the DOUBLE EFFECT PRINCIPAL .. I.e. if you give
morphine as a way of controlling pain, BUT at the same time it shortens
the patient’s life then Euthanasia is allowed as it happened as a side
effect.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/clips/zf4tfg8
Principle of the double effect
The Roman Catholic Church is opposed to
euthanasia as it is akin to murder. In
Evangelium Vitae, Pope John Paul II said that to
cause death in this way was 'a grave violation of
the law of God'.
However, if
1. large doses of painkillers are used to help
ease a person’s suffering, and
2. as a result of these the person ultimately
dies,
this is understood as ‘double effect’.
The intention was not to kill the
person, but to alleviate suffering.
In the same way the Church does not believe
that doctors should use any ‘extraordinary
treatment’ to keep people alive against the
odds.
EUTHANASIA .. A Christian
response.
 CHURCH OF ENGLAND
 All life is sacred and holy, but that terrible
distress should not be suffered at all costs.
Where life and death decisions need to be made
then everyone needs to be involved .. Drs,
relatives …
 The QUALITY OF LIFE needs to be considered.
 The Church of England stresses that the OLD
and ILL are made to feel important and valuable.
 Often Churches have a link with a local
HOSPICE where terminally ill can have special
care to make dying comfortable and with
dignity.
What key principles / quotes might a
CHRISTIAN use FOR euthanasia?
Agape
Quality of Life
unconditional love.
What is the most
loving thing to do
in this situation?
“Love your
neighbour”
Jesus
Golden Rule
“Treat others in
the way that you
would like to be
treated.”
Jesus
Consider the mental,
physical and spiritual
dimensions of a
person… What if they
can’t be improved?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/christian-views-oneuthanasia/433.html
Christian views on euthanasia
Duration: 05:52
We hear from two Christians with
opposing views on euthanasia. Both
views are backed up by
interpretations of Biblical references
and situations. Issues raised include
Christian views on suffering,
interpreting the Bible and arguments
for and against legalising euthanasia.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/quiz/q77111136
Try the BBC bitesize quiz!
Sikh attitudes towards euthanasia
Sikhs have great respect for life, which is regarded as a gift from
Waheguru. Therefore most Sikhs are opposed to euthanasia as they
believe that birth and death should be left in the hands of Waheguru.
God sends us and we take birth.
God calls us back and we die.
Guru Granth Sahib 1239
They believed that suffering was the result of bad Karma and that people
should accept it without complaint but try to make the best of the
situation. Sikhs believe that life is given by Waheguru and although it may
be joyful or sorrowful, long or short, no one but Waheguru has the right to
shorten it
Death is seen as a gateway into another life:
“The dawn of a new day is the herald of a sunset. Earth is not your
permanent home.”
Guru Granth Sahib 793
The Sikh teaching about Sewa and caring for others suggests that the
correct response to situations would be to provide such good care that
euthanasia became an unattractive option.
Christian Ethics
 Sanctity of life
 Death, whether it be murder or euthanasia, goes against
God’s will and is wrong
 But, some Christians make a distinction between killing
and letting someone die. The C of E says ‘ Doctors do
not have an overriding obligation to prolong life by all
available means, if to do so is to also prolong suffering’
Utilitarianism
 Rejects Sanctity of life
 Considers whether euthanasia good action by
examining pleasure it brings to everyone
concerned
 Does not take into account autonomy of
individual and the benefits a patient might gain
from being permitted to die with dignity
 If taking ALL others into account, patient’s
interests are in a minority. Certainly the cost of
caring for that terminally ill patient might
benefit a greater number of people if it was
spent elsewhere...
Utilitarianism
 The modern Utilitarian philosopher
Peter Singer said an adult
chimpanzee has more claim to life
than a severely disabled child. What
do you think? What arguments
could be used to support but also
oppose Singer’s argument?