Euthanasia and Christianity

         The majority of Christians are opposed to euthanasia. It is the general opinion of Christians that life originates from God, and that it ultimately should be God’s decision when life ends. Christian doctrine teaches that humans were created in God’s image and that He is the author of human life; undergoing euthanasia could be considered an act of defiance (Euthanasia ProCon.org). It additionally, is taught in the Bible that murder of an innocent person is wrong, despite any circumstances, and while it is debatable whether or not euthanasia is actually murder, many Christians believe that the doctor performing this act for the patient is in fact committing a sin in doing so. Many Christians also believe that the time right before death is a very spiritual time and should be used to grow closer with God. By undergoing euthanasia, one is taking this spiritual time and tainting it with the act of ending a life (BBC News, 2009).

         Suicide is only mentioned in the Old Testament of The Bible twice. In neither case is this act done due to physical suffering and in neither instance is there commentary on this action (Religion Facts). This lack of specific examples leads to much ambiguity on the matter and leaves much of this argument to speculation. This lack of concreteness about the issue could influence an elderly Christian’s perspective on undergoing this procedure. On one hand it could make them less willing to use this avenue due to the opposition to euthanasia in the Christian community. On the other hand, an elderly Christian who was in chronic pain could perceive this as a lack of definite ruling and could be more likely to go ahead with this procedure than an elderly person who’s religion concretely discouraged such actions.

"Euthanasia and Assisted Dying." BBC News. BBC, 08 Mar. 2009. Web. 19 Apr. 2012. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/christianethics/euthanasia_1.shtml>.

"Euthanasia and Christianity:Christian Views of Euthanasia and Suicide." Religion Facts. Web. 19 Apr. 2012. <http://www.religionfacts.com/euthanasia/christianity.htm>.

"What Are Christian Perspectives on Euthanasia and Physician-assisted Suicide?" Euthanasia. ProCon.org. Web. 19 Apr. 2012. <http://euthanasia.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000154>.

A Buddhist Approach to Euthanasia

         One of the predominant religions in America that I have not yet discussed in my blog, is Buddhism. Buddhism has grown quite substantially in the United States in the last few decades. When considering euthanasia in elderly populations, it is becoming increasingly important to consider this religious group because in the years to come, much of the elderly population will consist of practicing Buddhists. Interestingly, there is no unanimous view of euthanasia in Buddhist tradition; however, there are many teachings that apply to this topic (Rinpoche).  Many Buddhists believe euthanasia to be wrong because it implies that the person choosing the procedure is in a bad state of mind, which, if given pain killers, or a  meditation practice, they might be able to overcome. Additionally, many Buddhists believe that performing this procedure would put the physician in a bad state of mind and that this should be avoided as well (BBC News, 2009).

         In Buddhist Pali Canon, the primary Buddhist text, there are three separate examples of monks committing suicide all of which appear to be due to physical ailments. In all of these stories it seems that Buddha disapproves of the act suicide, but his motive for disapproval are different in each situation. This leads one to consider whether it was the act itself, or the situation and state of mind of the monk that he was unsupportive of (ReligionFacts). This ambiguity in the Pali Canon is what potentially leads to the difference of opinion in the Buddhist community. It would appear from the data, however, that the majority of Buddhists do not support the practice of euthanasia, which leads me to believe that assisted suicide is a less likely solution for chronic pain from terminal illnesses in the elderly Buddhist population.

"Buddhism, Euthanasia and Suicide." BBC News. BBC, 23 Nov. 2009. Web. 06 Apr. 2012. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/buddhistethics/euthanasiasuicide.shtml>.

"Euthanasia and Buddhism." ReligionFacts. Web. 06 Apr. 2012. <http://www.religionfacts.com/euthanasia/buddhism.htm>.

Rinpoche, Lama Z. "Buddhism, Euthanasia and Compassion." Buddhas Village. Web. 06 Apr. 2012. <http://www.buddhasvillage.com/teachings/lz_euthanasia.htm>.