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Introduction

Comparison of Islam and Judaism regarding Euthanasia Euthanasia gained a legal foothold in Holland. It went to the ballot box in two states in America but was defeated. Its lobby is getting more active. Islam and Judaism have definite views on euthanasia. The principle regarding the sanctity of human life implies that human life is immeasurable, that there is no difference between a healthy person and a physically or mentally impaired person. Likewise, the life expectancy of a patient is immaterial. The life of a human being, whether long or short, is treated equally. Consequently, active euthanasia is absolutely prohibited even if requested by the patient. Islam and Judaism have both stemmed out from the father of all religions, Abraham; Therefore both more or less share the same beliefs. Euthanasia comes in four forms: Active: the result of positive action (e.g. lethal injection) on the part of a carer Passive: the omission or termination of treatment which is prolonging the patient's life Voluntary: carried out at the express wish of the patient Non-voluntary: carried out without the permission of the patient which may or may not be because they are not capable of expressing a view. All religions teach us that life is sacred, it is a gift from God therefore we should protect it. ...read more.

Middle

and this starts, naturally with one's own parents "Your Lord decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to your parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt but address them in terms of honor. And lower to them the wing of humility out of compassion, and say: my Lord, bestow on them Your mercy even as they cherished me in childhood" (Qur'an 17:25- 25) Because such caring is a virtue ordained and rewarded by God in this world and in the hereafter, the believers don't take it as a debit but as an investment. When individual means cannot cover the needed care, it becomes, according to Islam, the collective responsibility of society, and financial priorities are reshuffled so that values take priority over pleasures, and people derive more pleasure from heeding values than from pursuing other pleasantries. A prerequisite of course is a complete moral and spiritual re-orientation of a society that does not hold to these premises. In an Islamic setting the question of euthanasia usually does not arise, and if it does, it is dismissed as religiously unlawful. The patient should receive every possible psychological support and compassion from family and friends, including the patient's spiritual (religious) ...read more.

Conclusion

This is mainly because the patient is already dead and there would be no point in keeping them alive. But in Judaism there are some scholars that don't agree with this. Euthanasia involves the taking of life, which man even with the advancements of science and technology still has absolutely no idea of how it comes into being. God has given us a great gift. We should make the most of it and repay his favor, and taking your life is limiting that. Our life is already short as it is. So why do we want to take our life early. Even if we cant talk, walk or even move, that should not mean that we still cant pray and ask god for forgiveness. After all God knows our inner most secrets. Islam teaches us that when someone falls ill, it is a sign of death, therefore we should ask god for forgiveness and it is when someone falls ill that God forgives most of their sins. As Prophet Mohammad said, "When the believer is afflicted with pain, even that of a prick of a thorn or more, God forgives his sins, and his wrongdoings are discarded as a tree sheds off its leaves." Euthanasia is certainly not an option for a theist, but for an atheist it may well be an option! "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you." (Jeremiah 1:5) ?? ?? ?? ?? Harun Ahmed M203 1 ...read more.

This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Euthanasia section.