What is Euthanasia?
What is Euthanasia? Euthanasia is the taking of ones life. It is taken from the Greek meaning 'easy death'. It may seem like suicide, but involves another person. It is a choice made either by the person in suffering or the other person involved, such as a doctor or a loved one. There are many reasons why a person decides to end their life. Being physically and mentally ill can result in a person not wanting to carry on with their life, as it may be too hard to cope. There are two types of euthanasia - compulsory and voluntary. Compulsory euthanasia is when another person decides when a persons life is going to end-this could be a relative or doctor turning of a life support machine etc. Sometimes it may be considered 'mercy', killing when it applies to someone with a serious illness. An example of compulsory euthanasia is when the Nazis decided to kill people due to their race, colour, religion, disability etc. They did this as they thought it was for the right reasons as these people were seen as a nuisance and a let down to Germany. Voluntary euthanasia is when a person them self decides to die. This may be due to a terminal illness that they feel interferes with their life and deprives them of a good quality of life. An example of voluntary euthanasia is the court case of a woman named Jose. She was 30 years old when she requested for a doctor to end her life. Jose
Euthanasia is never justified do you agree?
Euthanasia is never justified do you agree? The issue of Euthanasia is a moral issue, and as with all moral issues there are two sides to every story. Euthanasia is the ending of somebody's life, generally as an attempt to end suffering. When it is discussed, people often mean Voluntary Euthanasia that is a form of aided suicide (which means someone performs the suicide for someone who is unable to.) Some people believe Euthanasia is a crime and is therefore not justified. These people believe that the act of Euthanasia is going against God's will, and these people generally follow the bible, which also states this. 1 Corinthians 6:19 claims that our bodies are God's temple, therefore meaning that the ending of a life means the damaging of a part of God. Also, Genesis 1:26-31 says that as God created the human race in his own image, then Euthanasia is clearly unnatural. Romans 14:8 says, "Whether we live or die, we belong to God" this is strictly against Euthanasia, because it means that once we kill someone we are violating God's will. Finally however, there is one of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:73 which says, "you shall not murder", and euthanasia is clearly a form of murder. But taking the issue away from church, there are many other reasons why people may believe Euthanasia is unjustified. One man refused treatment for his cancer, and he was literally days away
Death before Death - Murder in the guise of Mercy
Death before Death - Murder in the guise of Mercy In the words of Mother Teresa, "Death with dignity is to die with grace, in the knowledge that [you] are loved." Some say that euthanasia is mercy killing while some term it as voluntary suicide. Yet, if one looks deep enough into the issue, nothing but the naked truth starts to unfold. Euthanasia is nothing but murder. Speaking of murder, many physicians consider it good medical practice not to prolong, artificially, the life of a suffering person. Although, the question is, is it morally right to take advantage of a comatose patient? Is it dignified to commit suicide? Is it right to pull the plug on someone instead of letting them die naturally? No. Even if euthanasia is justified, how can one accept the fact that docters, who have sworn the Hippocratic oath, which insists them can relieve suffering and prolong life, can take the life of a patient? In some countries the Supreme Court has ruled that docters may disconnect a mechanical respirator that is keeping the comatose patient alive. A case was brought by Joseph and Julia Quinlan, who maintained that the machine was preventing their daughter, Karen Anne, from dying "with decency and dignity." Disconnecting her from the machine, the girl died without ever having regained consciousness. Has Medical Science fallen so low that the passion for saving precious live has
Personal Evaluation - euthanasia.
Personal Evaluation I feel that euthanasia should be legalized. I believe that everyone has the right to choose how he or she live and die. Not everybody will have an easy death. Some terminal pain cannot be controlled, even with the best of care and the strongest of drugs. Other distressing symptoms, which come with diseases, such as sickness, no mobility, breathlessness and fever cannot always be relieved. A life filled with pain is horrible and it ruins the quality of life. I believe that that no life is better than a life without communication and happiness. I think that the point of life is to find happiness and suffering is surely not achieving this. People should not be left persistent in pain. They should not have to suffer when death is unavoidable. People do have the right to commit suicide, although it is a tragic and individual act. However euthanasia is not suicide. It is not a private act as you have the support of family and friends. I think that Euthanasia is about letting a person support another death to save them from long painful deaths. Many people argue, however, that a person who is terminally ill may make a miraculous recovery - it has happened in the past. This is however, a rare thing. Doctors are dedicated to give care to the sick, and they would nearly always now the likeliness of a recovery. A pro-longed life is intolerable for people
Christian views on euthanasia, abortion and war.
'God gives life and only God can take it away' Do you agree or disagree? In this debate there are two fundamental views. One is that that all human life is sacred and only God has the power to take life. The other is that everyone should have a good quality of life, and they should choose whether they live or die. The Church believes in the case of euthanasia no life should be ended wilfully, because they believe that all life is sacred. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 2268 it states that "The fifth commandment forbids direct and intentional killing as gravely sinful. The murder and those who cooperate voluntary in murder commit a sin that cries out to the heaven for vengeance". Euthanasia goes against the fifth commandment thou shalt not kill, it implicates the doctor, who makes the decision to kill the patient. It also goes against the doctor's Hippocratic Oath which states that life should be protected. The quality of a person's life is an essential part of living. The Church advocates a good quality of life, God does not want Christians to suffer. The late Rev. Lord Soper wrote "As I understand it, the purpose of life is to love God and to enjoy Him forever. I believe that voluntary euthanasia can be a means to that end". The quote explains that as long as someone loves God throughout their life, if they become ill euthanasia could become an option. As
Under what circumstances if any do you approve of Euthanasia?
Sam Williamson 11T Religious Studies Coursework Under what circumstances if any do you approve of Euthanasia? The word 'euthanasia' comes from the Greek words 'eu' and 'thanatos', which together mean 'a good death'. Today, the meaning of 'euthanasia' has widened, to include how that good death is brought about. Specifically, 'euthanasia' is understood to mean a good death brought about by a doctor providing drugs or an injection to bring a peaceful end to the dying process. In trying to make my decision I had to take into account the following: The issue of voluntary euthanasia takes in medical, legal, ethical, political, individual and practical considerations. On one level, it is an academic debate, with experts battling it out about the pros and cons of assisted dying. It is also a religious debate, as people look to the teachings of their church for guidance on whether or not this could ever be permitted. On the medical front, doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff look to medical practice and ethics to inform their discussions on this issue. And for MPs and Peers who are asked to consider legislation, it is a political debate, with a very different set of considerations than the purely academic or religious. But, most importantly, we should remember that this is also a personal debate. For the terminally ill, the issue of voluntary euthanasia is often not about
What is euthanasia?
Coursework 2 Euthanasia Part a) i) What is Euthanasia? The word euthanasia comes from Greek and means 'easy death'. The dictionary explains euthanasia as the act of killing someone painlessly, especially to relieve suffering from an incurable illness. It is also known as mercy killing. Euthanasia is always for the benefit of the person who will die and in most cases, the person who will die asks for it, but in some cases, that person cannot make the request. There are many situations in which a person may request euthanasia, and this is called voluntary euthanasia, for example, a terminally ill person, a paralysed person and even a person who is depressed. There are many other reasons as well, such as a person being dependent on others and not liking it, fear of loss of self-control or dignity and feeling like a burden on others. Voluntary euthanasia is illegal in the United Kingdom, but many people believe that it should be legal, under certain conditions, with appropriate safeguards. Active euthanasia is illegal. Active euthanasia is when action is taken to bring a person's life to an end; for example, a lethal dose of a drug being administered. Passive euthanasia is when the decision is made to stop giving treatment, even though death may be the result. Involuntary euthanasia is when another person makes the decision that it would be best for the person's life
Some Christians e.g. Roman Catholics are or will be against Abortion and Euthanasia, where as other Christians, such as Protestants, believe that in some circumstances, Abortion and Euthanasia are necessary.
Some Christians e.g. Roman Catholics are or will be against Abortion and Euthanasia, where as other Christians, such as Protestants, believe that in some circumstances, Abortion and Euthanasia are necessary. Their motto is that Abortion and Euthanasia is 'the lesser of two evils.' This does not mean that they fully agree with Abortion/ Euthanasia because they actually discourage it rather than ban it so it is a sin. The Catholic Church preaches that Abortion is wrong because their teaching states that life begins at conception. This is when a released ovum is fertilised. They believe that it is wrong to take a life, therefore, abortion is wrong. Pro-life groups also agree and take to this view because they are 'for life' and believe that if we are given life or ownership of another, we are to respect and take full responsibility over it. Protestants say that Abortion is sometimes necessary, because it is 'the lesser of two evils.' In the case of Rape, most people would agree with non-Catholic beliefs. Their thoughts would consist of some what the following; "How must she feel?" or "How can you expect her to keep the child of her attacker?" Most people would think or keeping the child of a rapist as a 'burden' or just plain wrong. Pro-choice groups believe in this view. They believe that through our life, we have to make choices and as human beings we are easily able to
Describe and explain Christian teachings which could be used in a discussion about Euthanasia
A) Describe and explain Christian teachings which could be used in a discussion about Euthanasia. Euthanasia is also known as assisted suicide. It is when someone who is terminally ill asks someone to help them to die. There are 4 main types of Euthanasia; Voluntary Euthanasia (someone asking for euthanasia), Involuntary Euthanasia, e.g. turning off life machine, Active (actively doing something to end a life) and Passive (doing something to bring death closer e.g. taking an overdose or blocking feeding tubes). A Christian teaching that could be used in a discussion about euthanasia is "The lord gives and the lord takes away". This means that nothing apart from God has the right to give or take life, and euthanasia is therefore wrong. It also shows that if any human takes life, it is playing God and is indirectly disrespecting God. Roman Catholics would say that this teaching is talking about life and therefore euthanasia is wrong and should not be done, however, the Church of England may say that this is referring to material possessions and so it doesn't apply to euthanasia. Another Christian teaching that could be used in a discussion about euthanasia is "Do not kill". This is one of the 10 commandments given by God. That means that they are sacred and should not be broken. For Roman Catholics, this would apply to all killing including euthanasia, even if it is done out
Should Euthanasia Be Legalised In England?
Tom Rubashow 26th March 2001 RE Essay Should Euthanasia Be Legalised In England? Euthanasia, a dignified death, causes such controversy all over the world. During this essay I will discuss whether euthanasia should be legalised in England. Within the essay, I will put my opinion across. This opinion will become very obvious from very early on but I will try and not let the opinion get in the way of the facts. I would first like to bring up the subject of Holland. In Holland euthanasia has been legalised and there people have been allowed to die via means of euthanasia, when consent is given. This in most cases has been successful, however there have been too many cases where consent has not been given. Is this a risk that should or should not be taken? Another key factor is what has happened in America. Over there, euthanasia is illegal, but still happens. As it is illegal it can cause less professional and more painful variations of euthanasia. Many would say that the only way to stop euthanasia is to legalise it over there and I feel the same needs to be applied here. We cannot afford these illegal, painful, unprofessional variations of euthanasia spreading. We must also realise euthanasia takes away pain from the person dying which many, myself included would say that it is better to die with honour, dignity and less pain, than live on with those factors getting