Performing euthanasia to a person suggests that one is not worthwhile in this world, we are not in this position to judge, only God can do so. All Christians also believe that we do not have the authority to ending a person life, this decision remains upon God. It is stated in the Ten Commandments: “Do not commit murder” (Exodus 20.13), we should not ignore this rule at their peril, it is a great sin. As Pope John Paul II said, “Euthanasia is … a deliberate and morally unacceptable killing of a human life”.
Euthanasia involves in ending one’s life earlier. It is stated that God “fixed the exact time … of the places where they would live” (Acts 17.26), therefore performing euthanasia can be seen as an action against God’s will which rejects the duty of a person to life. This again proves that life is sacred and should not be touched, which is the idea of sanctity of life. We should always aim to help others to live a normal and humane life; this is the whole idea of love. We should not abort one’s life for they are suffering, but should help them get through the ‘barriers’, and assists them to find God. We should help the sick to live with faith through suffering, as Jesus did on the cross.
Muslims hold similar views on euthanasia. Muslims also believe in the sanctity of life, i.e. life is scared. We should not take away a person’s life as it is stated in the Qur’an that “If anyone kills a person … it would be as if he killed the whole people” (Qur’an 5.32).
All Muslims believe that Allah is the creator of life and only he can decide when a life may end. It is believed that the term of life is fixed by Allah – “Allah fixed the time span of all things” (Surah 53). Euthanasia would be seen as a violation of the ‘shirk’, that we should always serve one God. As Allah “makes barren whom he wills” (Surah 42.50), euthanasia is interfering Allah’s plan for ending one’s life early, a clear abuse of the Islamic law – playing God.
Islam teaches that life on Earth is a test. Sick endure suffering might suggest that this may be the testing of Allah. That’s why Muslims believe euthanasia is wrong, for we do not have good reasons to end our lives, no matter how bad that suffering becomes. As Allah is compassionate, endurance and patience, those who suffers may be rewarded by Allah the merciful on the Day of Judgment.
Although most Christians forbid euthanasia at all times, some Christians, however, believe that it should be allowed in certain situations. They believe that in extreme cases of suffering, we should help the patient to perform euthanasia. Surely he does not want to continue living in agony with no chance of recovering. His relatives and friends would not want to see him in pain. We should be able to end the suffering of someone who has no hope of recovery; this is ‘happy release’. Euthanasia can be seen as fulfilling the commandment – “Love thy neighbour as thyself”. Therefore passive euthanasia should be allowed.
Some might also argue that using extraordinary means to keep someone alive is wrong. This act of prolonging life might be against God’s will for God decided the lifespan of us. Therefore religious believers might suggest that we should never use deliberator after someone has died, or use life supporting machines. We should allow them to die naturally, i.e. passive euthanasia.
Some might also argue that everyone has a choice of choosing whether to live or not, this is basic human right. According to stewardship, we are superior among all animals and thus should be able to choose what happen to our lives. Some believes that if the patient gives consent (e.g. living will) on euthanasia, then we should respect him and allow him to die with pride. If animals can be killed rather than let them suffer, why can’t we human do the same?
Euthanasia allows people to die with dignity. If the quality of a patient life has deteriorated so bad that it is purely agony, and then we should respect the patient, let them die quietly and painlessly. Everyone can benefit from euthanasia, where the patient can leave this world peacefully, also spares the anguish of one’s relatives and friends. This is an ‘all-win’ method; also fulfill the idea of utilitarianism, which is maximizing happiness in the world. Surely God would not want us all to live in despair.
It is difficult to decide on moral issues. Although most Christians and Muslims believe that euthanasia is wrong for it violates God’s will or the “shirk”, it seems wrong to leave someone to live in pain when they are incurable and is likely to die. Shall we respect one’s will or shall we follow God’s instruction? This is still a question that we can yet answer.
