NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
Euthanasia is defined in the Chambers English Dictionary as the act or practice of putting someone painlessly, or as gently as possible, to death. There are various forms of Euthanasia, which I must explain before referring to the teachings of the different Christian denominations. The most common of them is Voluntary Euthanasia, where the patient decides for themselves, that they would prefer to be dead. They might decide at the time, or perhaps they might have written a living will instructing doctors to kill them if they are ever in a situation where they will never be conscious again.
There is also In-voluntary Euthanasia, were someone else decides against the patients wishes that would be better off dead, and enforces it in the act of killing them. Therefore it is often out-classed as Euthanasia, because it is not gentle. Non-voluntary Euthanasia takes place in a situation where the patient cannot be asked, or more correctly, cannot answer. This may be because the victim is a baby and cant speak yet, or perhaps the victim is in a coma and is unable to respond to people around him, but in this case a relative or doctor will decide for the person. It is also important to distinguish the difference between killing someone (Active), and letting them die (Passive). Killing a person is expressed in an action.
An example of this, would be a doctor injecting his patient with a poison. Whereas letting someone die, is expressed in not performing an action. An example of this would be a doctor not supplying his patient with drugs that would save his life, and as a result the patients life is shortened. I will set, discuss, and finally evaluate a debate about Voluntary Euthanasia using contexts from both the Roman Catholic Church, and the Church of England. Some of the key influences I will refer to are Natural Law, Situation Ethics, Doctrine of Double Effect, The Golden Rule, Church documents, and the Bible. Ignoring all religious views, an argument for Voluntary Euthanasia performed by someone other than the patient, is that it is simply mercy killing.
This would, under general Christian views, be just because it was an act of love, and after all that is what Christianity revolves around. One question, that must be answered is, Is there a difference between killing and letting someone die, when it comes to an argument about euthanasia? Members of different Christian denominations would answer this question in different ways. Generally, the view of the Catholic church is that Euthanasia and any other form of killing (i. e. murder, suicide) are all the same, and should all be viewed under the same respects.
However, the Anglican Church is a bit more particular in their attitudes towards different forms of Euthanasia, and other forms of killing, whether voluntary, or other. The first source I shall use to come to my personal decision, is the Bible. The most logical record of Gods view towards Euthanasia, is the list of Ten Commandments. The fifth commandment states, that thou shalt not kill. It prohibits the taking of an innocent life. However, there are two words for kill in Greek, and when Christ quotes the commandment, he uses the word that is directly translated as murder.
Therefore, there is nothing in the list of God-given commandments that directly discourages Voluntary euthanasia. However, the Catholic Church would argue that there was no difference between murder and any other forms of killing, even in the case of suicide, as long as the killing is deliberate. Even the co-operation in any act of killing is against the moral law. Do not slay the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked. Christians, who oppose Euthanasia (Catholic Church), may do so because they believe that The human person is created to praise, reverence and serve God. This is based on the belief that God created humans in an image of himself, to rule the world, and have power over all the other animals.
Therefore, Christians who commit suicide are breaking their Gods wish, by not ruling over the other animals, to protect his creation. These same people would oppose the act of Voluntary Euthanasia, claiming that the victim is killing a part of God, as he made us in all similarities with himself, a mortal replica. We are all made in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, by casting themselves into non-existence, they are rejecting His gift of life, and His love. The Catholic Church would argue that if a treatment is available to lengthen the life of a patient, then they should accept it. It is a persons moral obligation to take a medicine that will lengthen their stewardship on the earth.
The Hospice Movement encourages people to stay alive for as long as God chooses, rather than to make the choice themselves. The supporters of Voluntary Euthanasia, some of who are members of the Anglican Church, would quote from the Bible: Do unto others, as you would have done unto yourself. In other words, if you expect others to respect your needs and help you, first you have to acknowledge their needs and help them. The Catholic interpretation of this quote, is that if you take part in euthanasia you are assisting suicide, which is effectively murder. Part of Christian teachings, more often the Catholic side, follow the Doctrine of Double Effect. The idea behind the Doctrine of Double Effect, created by Thomas Aquinas, is that someone must never perform a deliberate act that is wrong, so that they may achieve a right.
An example of the Doctrine in practice would be if a man was taking drugs to relieve pain, and he shortened his life as a result. If he had foreseen and desired the result, then his act would have been immoral. However, if he had solely taken the drugs to relieve himself of pain, and had not done it for the intention of sh...
Free research essays on topics related to: euthanasia, anglican church, double effect, voluntary euthanasia, catholic church
Research essay sample on Voluntary Euthanasia Catholic Church
