The Roman Catholic Church teaches that all forms of Euthanasia are wrong, as it is a form of murder. The suicide form of euthanasia is wrong as it abuses the sanctity of life that only God can control. Even though euthanasia can help stop suffering it is morally wrong and is not acceptable in Christians views. In place of hospitals, which support the act of euthanasia, Hospices have been set up especially for terminally ill patients. These hospices provide a loving environment where a patient can die peacefully and with dignity. The disposal of people who are an inconvenience is again morally wrong, and we should be caring for our loved ones at home. Where the patient knows where they are and can feel comfortable and spend their remaining time with their family. People who want to die, on their own terms are encouraged to wait, as God has a plan for the suffering and he will take care of those who are ill. God sent down his son to suffer and die for us, and Jesus was rewarded in Heaven, so all of those who continue to suffer on earth will be rewarded in Heaven with eternal life. The Church of England believes that euthanasia, in some forms, is wrong. However they do accept the removal of artificial feeding and the switching off of a life support machine.
I conclude that Christians have important responsibilities for all human beings at the beginning and end of their lives, as by introducing Baptism, they are preparing the child for their emotional and mental ‘Faith Journey.’ And by caring for the dying at the end of their lives, they are helping to bring all of those dying closer to God and helping them become prepared for what lies ahead of them, in the Kingdom of God.
Abortion and Euthanasia
Faced with the issues you have chosen, explain the different ways Christians might respond.
In the essay, I will take into consideration all the views and opinions of Abortion and Euthanasia and contrast them to the views of the Roman Catholic Church. Many people in today’s society may not face these issues in everyday life; however, they still may have views about them. Either from a religious viewpoint or a secular one.
Christians believe that all forms of procured abortion are morally wrong. They believe this because the Catholic Church teaches that life begins at contraception, so from the moment the ovum is fertilized, that human’s life begins. So to purposely end this life would violate the Commandment ‘thou shalt not kill.’ The Catholic Church also believes that everyone has a ‘natural right to life,’ so killing a foetus is exactly like killing someone that has been ‘alive’ and out of the womb for years. Because of these reasons, Christians can never be allowed abortions. However, in some circumstances abortion is technically accepted. The Doctrine of Double Affect states that if a certain procedure could save a mother’s life, but would kill the foetus in the process, this would not be seen as an abortion, but as a second effect, which is not purposely intended. This can be the case in the removal of a fallopian tube in an entopic pregnancy, or a woman suffering from cancer who is receiving chemotherapy. The Anglican Church believes that although the foetus must be specially treated and respected, an abortion can be carried out if the foetus endangers the mother. So far, you can see two different attitudes towards abortion, both being non-secular. Many people who accept abortion debate that a foetus is only potential life, but it’s the woman’s choice, as her body and her body alone will be affected by the pregnancy, therefore it’s her decision. However, others believe that from contraception, a foetus is a separate human being from its mother; therefore abortion is a form of Infanticide.
Christians believe all forms of Euthanasia are wrong. Suicide takes away the life given to you by God; therefore you are abusing the sanctity of life. And assisted suicide is wrong as it is seen as a form of murder. When you murder someone, you are ‘playing God’ in a sense, as only God can decide when to take a person’s life, which itself is a sin. Although Euthanasia can humanly end a patient’s suffering, advances in medicine have provided a variety of painkillers, which can help the patient die with dignity. Also, people believe everyone has the right to die and it would also help people spend the time they have left with their families. However, Christians believe life is a gift from God and only God has control over life and death. People should not just dispose of people who are an inconvenience to others, as that is morally wrong. This is true for both abortion and euthanasia. A Christian family faced with the issues of euthanasia would have one view of the situation, and that would be to keep the person alive until God decides when it is time for them to die. There are absolutely no circumstances where a Christian would accept euthanasia. They believe that even switching of a life-support machine is wrong, as it is direct euthanasia, as the person will surely die without the machine keeping them alive. Most non-Christians have the same views, however, they do accept the removal of artificial feeding and the switching off of a life support machine. They also accept that people who are suffering choose suicide, as they do not know how to cope.
Overall, we can see that people have different opinions on both abortion and euthanasia, however, Christians believe everybody has a right to life, therefore, life should not be taken away, even if in some cases it is voluntary. My opinion is abortion is wrong, as a foetus is infact a growing person, who has the right to an opinion and their own choices. However, I believe some forms of euthanasia are acceptable, as I believe; no one deserves to suffer when their pain can be stopped.
“What Christians believe about life is up to them. They should not make others accept their position.”
Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have considered more than one point of view.
I agree with the statement above, as I believe people have a right to have an opinion, whether others think it is right or wrong. Although, there is an exception with Christians, as they are encouraged by the Church to spread the Good News, which is what they live by.
One example where a Christian’s opinion may differ from a non-Christians, is the war. Many Christians believe no war can be justified, however, non-Christians and some Christians believe there is such a thing as a just war. Some Christians believe that a war where innocent people will be killed, and where people are suffering, are grounds for a just war and therefore it is morally right to fight for life, for others and yourself. Also the Doctrine of Double Effect can be used here, as people would be fighting for freedom of oppression and the right to life, therefore any deaths that may be caused by these actions would be considered a second effect, therefore it will not be punishable sin. Whereas other Christians would see this as unjust and cruel, as people would perish at the hands of others. Many Christians have recently organised petitions and rallies and protests against the war to persuade others to join them in the fight for what is morally good. I feel this, in a sense is good because they want to stop people in such countries in Iraq dying, however, I feel people should decide on their own, without other minorities pushing for them to share their opinions and views.
Overall, the war is a good example of Christians trying to make others see their point of view, as it is a subject nearly all Christians would be passionate about. The examples given show how Christians are doing well by trying to stop the war, but are wrong as they force the issue upon others. I still believe everyone should decide on their own terms and have their own opinion on every subject, and not just fold to what people tell them.
