Most importantly Christians believe that human life begins at the moment of conception. ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart (Jeremiah 1:5).’ Therefore from the moment of conception a unique life begins with potential so aborting a foetus would break the sixth commandment ‘Thou shall not kill (Exodus 20:13).’
The Jeremiah quote also indicates that God has a plan for the potential life so Christians believe they have a special responsibility to see God’² plans being fulfilled.
Since then Christians maintain the utmost respect for human life, from the time of conception.
However most Christians agree that abortion can be justified if it is done in order to save the mother’² life.
View of Christians on Euthanasia
The word “euthanasia” means “easy death”. Euthanasia is the act of killing, to relief the pain and suffering of terminally ill people, handicapped or injured.
Christians believe life is a gift from God. ‘It was you who created my inmost self and put me together in my mother’² wombs, for all this mysteries I thank you (Psalm 139:13-16).’
Euthanasia destroys the respect that is due to God for giving us the gift of life and the gift of God’² love therefore Christians condemn the act of Euthanasia.
Christians believe that nobody has the right to take away the gift of life from terminally ill people or any other person regardless of their condition.
Jesus was compassionate towards sick and vulnerable people. Jesus in the New Testament heals the sick and the dying. Christians follow Jesus’² example.
They believe that the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of terminally ill patients should be properly met before they die. They would look after them with true compassionate care to show that their well-being is important. Such service to people is also service to Christ, Who said: “As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me (Mt: 25:40)’
Christians believe every individual’² life has a purpose on earth. As long as we are still alive regardless of our condition our life has a meaning known to God. ‘The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book, before any of them ever began (Genesis 1-2v.3)’ This means God knows the purpose of every individuals existence from the moment of conception to the moment of death therefore it is Christians responsibility for enabling God’² purposes to be fulfilled. ‘ Everyone has a duty to lead his/her life in accordance with God’² plan.’
Most importantly Christians believe that every human life belongs to God, the creator of life, and no one may end it or ask another to take it. ‘Don’t you know your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit…? (1 Cor 6vv.18-20)’ This quote clearly makes the point that we are forbidden to do what we wish to our body; that is trespassing God’² law.
Even in an extreme suffering and pain due to illness most Christian believe that Euthanasia cannot be justified. Job is a good example for his strength and faith through much suffering. Job’² wife suggested to Job that it would be better to curse God and die. However Job’² response was ‘If we take happiness from God’² hand, must we not take sorrow too? (Job 2:7-8; 7:5; 13:28; 30:16-18, 30)’
Job’² decision to wait for God’² time was right. Therefore Christian realise that they should accept suffering and pain and it is wrong to take someone’² life before God’² right time.
Christians may approve of “double effect” which is when doctors give drugs to relieve pain even though it may lead to death so long as the intention is not to kill. God clearly approves of this act. ‘Procure strong drink for someone about to die, wine for him whose heart is heavy let him drink and forget his misfortune, and remember his misery no more.’ (Proverbs 31:6)
