Euthanasia

Question 1

What do Catholics teach about Euthanasia?

Answer 1

• Life is sacred and holy therefore only belongs to God
• God has authority over life and death not humans; no “playing God”
• Euthanasia is murder (as well as those who assist) and therefore against the ten commandments
• Suffering and death are not an end, they have a purpose
• There are drugs to stop people from dying in pain
• For Catholics passive euthanasia may be considered as being a withdrawal from treatment

Question 2

What do Protestants teach about Euthanasia?

Answer 2

• The Bible has no clear teachings on euthanasia
• Life is considered as a gift with intrinsic value
• Guidance should be sought, prayer
• Jesus taught compassion
• God gave us freewill
• God is a loving God who does not want people to suffer
• If someone is in a great deal of pain it is acceptable to end their life
• Allows for patients to die with dignity
• Some liberal Christians would allow for life-support to be turned of, or withdrawal of treatment provided they are in a great deal of pain and maybe brain-dead

Question 3

What do Muslims teach about Euthanasia?

Answer 3

• Allah created all life and decides how long each one should be
• Euthanasia is not included in the reasons for killing in Islam
• Allah created all life and should take all life
• Euthanasia is interpreted as suicide
• Passive euthanasia may be considered as the definition being withdrawal of treatment
• To continue with treatments is seen as prolonging life as opposed to preserving it

Question 4

What do Humanists teach about Euthanasia?

Answer 4

• Support the dying with dignity movement
• They are pro-choice
• Provide advice to those considering assisted dying
• Want people to have access to expert information
• Do not believe life should be prolonged

Question 5

What is a Hospice?

Answer 5

A place where people can go to die with dignity. This place does not try to treat illnesses.

Question 6

CATHOLICS - SOURCE OF WISDOM ON EUTHANASIA

Answer 6

“Thou shalt not kill.” - EXODUS 20:13

Question 7

PROTESTANTS - SOURCE OF WISDOM ON EUTHANASIA

Answer 7

“love thy neighbour.” - MATTHEW 22:37-39

Question 8

ISLAM - SOURCE OF WISDOM ON EUTHANASIA

Answer 8

“whoever commits suicide with something will be punished with the same thing in the fire.” - HADITH 78:647

Question 9

ISLAM - SOURCE OF WISDOM ON EUTHANASIA

Answer 9

“it is not possible for one to die except by permission of Allah.” - QUR’AN 3:145