Euthanasia - the views of EXIT and Christians
Respect for Life: Euthanasia Kirsty Kee Euthanasia is the process of causing intentional death to relieve the suffering of a person who may be terminally ill or in immense pain. In the UK it is illegal. There are two types of euthanasia: passive, which is withdrawing a life support machine, or active, which is a direct action taken to end a life. Explain why the organisation known as EXIT (The Voluntary Euthanasia Society) seeks to change the law on accepting euthanasia. EXIT wants to alter the British laws on euthanasia, so that a patient is able to choose their final wish. They do not support involuntary euthanasia and hope that voluntary euthanasia will not lead to involuntary. EXIT believes that it is immoral and a disregard of human rights to deny a person control over their life, and patients should have some control over when and under what circumstances they die. Some patients may value the quality of life above quantity, and EXIT views this as important as well. They aim to make euthanasia impossible to be open for abuse by medical staff and relatives by ensuring that a second medical opinion and a psychiatric assessment are obtained. The use of Living Wills and Advanced Directives, which are currently illegal, are supported by EXIT as they give a patient the opportunity to opt for a mercy death before they become ill. Hospices have been established to care for
Religious studies - Christian perspectives of euthanasia
What is euthanasia? Euthanasia is the act of intentionally ending the life of a person suffering from an incurable illness/disease to prevent them from having to suffer. The word 'intentionally' is used here because if the action isn't intended to kill the patient, but was intended for other purposes, it is not classed as euthanasia. For example, if a large dose of painkillers, such as morphine, is administered to ease the patient's pain (but without the intention to kill them), but as a result the patient dies of an overdose, then this is not euthanasia. Therefore, this is legal and part of good medical practice. This is called the Doctrine of Double Effect. Also, if a patient who has given a do not resuscitate (DNR) order, and they are not resuscitated following a cardiac arrest or a respiratory arrest, this in not euthanasia either. However, there is a possibility that this rule may be abused, as a doctor may write a DNR order in a patient's file without their consent. Euthanasia is also known as 'mercy killing', as it is merciful towards the dying person to allow them to die. In the United Kingdom, all forms of euthanasia are illegal. However, in some countries and states, such as Belgium and The Netherlands, euthanasia is legal under certain circumstances. Euthanasia can be voluntary, non-voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary euthanasia is where the patient expresses
“An acceptance of the practice ofvoluntary euthanasia is incompatible with Christian belief in the sanctity of life but not with the attitudes of some ethical philosophers or medical practitioners” Discuss.
"An acceptance of the practice of voluntary euthanasia is incompatible with Christian belief in the sanctity of life but not with the attitudes of some ethical philosophers or medical practitioners" Discuss "To haunt thy days and chill thy dreaming nights, That thou wouldst wish thine own heart dry of blood" John Keats- The Living Hand (1795-1821) Euthanasia means good or merciful death. It is different to suicide in the case that it is not carried out by the individual wanting to die, but by a third party, this being in most cases, a doctor or nurse. And different to murder because it is carried out at the will of the person concerned, it is planned and a time to die is often chosen by the patient. No only is euthanasia an issue that raises a number of moral religious concerns, the debate is complicated in the number if terms used in it. The first distinction is that between voluntary, involuntary and non-voluntary euthanasia. Voluntary euthanasia is when a mentally competent person requests their own death, this is sometimes shown in the form of a living will, when the person asks to be allowed to die if they ever encounter a situation where their life is not what it used to be. Involuntary euthanasia is carried out on the assumption that had the person been able to express their will, should they ever be in the situation where euthanasia would be appropriate, then
Should The Laws Regarding Euthanasia Be Changed?
Should The Laws Regarding Euthanasia Be Changed? An Introduction Euthanasia is the act or practice of ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition. So far, the Netherlands is the only jurisdiction in the world that permits euthanasia; it also permits assisted suicide (The state of Oregon permits assisted suicide also.) The difference between assisted suicide and euthanasia all comes down to the last act- the act without which the death wouldn't have occurred. If a third party performs the last act that intentionally causes a patient's death, euthanasia has occurred. For example, giving a patient a lethal injection would be considered euthanasia. On the other hand, if the person who dies performs the last act, assisted suicide has taken place. So, it would be assisted suicide if a person swallows an overdose of drugs that has been provided by a doctor for the purpose of causing death. For A change to the law Many people today believe it is morally wrong to keep some one alive against their own will. I must say I have to agree. Some ask 'Why are people forced to stay alive?' The answer is they aren't. A lot of people think that euthanasia is needed so patients won't be forced to remain alive by being "hooked up" to machines. But the law states that patients or their families can refuse treatment even if it will increase the
Euthanasia is Not Murder
Euthanasia is Not Murder Debate continues over the issue of euthanasia long after the court decision concerning Dr. Kevorkian. Kevorkian has been aquitted of murder in his assisted suicide cases and the court has created precedent for the legalization of selecting death. Euthanasia does take place and is selected voluntarily by patients who are in great pain due to an incurable illness like cancer. Usually, the decision is made to pull the plugs of machines which prolong life or to end treatment. Because patients select to die, their deaths end suffering, and there is no intention to cause harm, physician assisted euthanasia cannot be considered murder. Murder can be defined as an act of violence which is perpetrated against a victim. For example, a man stuffed into a car after being shot five times is a murder victim. The individual dies at a time which is forced by the killer who has intent to harm him or her. For instance, when the Boston strangler killed the women, he first terrorized them. Frequently murder is painfuland the person who is dying has not voluntarily decided to participate in his or her death. By its nature, murder is death by violence at a time of the killer's rather than nature's choosing. Unlike murder, euthanasia is not an act of violence. In an editorial in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Dr. Eric Chevlen
TO WHAT EXTENT DOES THE SANCTITY OF LIFE MEAN THAT EUTHANASIA SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED? (CONSIDER BOTH CHRISTIANS & MUSLIMS ARGUMENTS)
TO WHAT EXTENT DOES THE SANCTITY OF LIFE MEAN THAT EUTHANASIA SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED? (CONSIDER BOTH CHRISTIANS & MUSLIMS ARGUMENTS) Euthanasia is 'good death', or else known as 'mercy killing', which is to end the life of a person who is suffering badly from illness. Both Christians and Muslims fundamentalist consider this as an act of violating the sanctity of life, the idea that life is a sacred gift for God; therefore, euthanasia is forbidden in most cases. However, some Christians might argue that this is only fulfilling the commandment "Love thy neighbour as thyself" (Leviticus 19.18). Christians believes that God "created all life" (Genesis 1) and thus life is "a gift of God to be preserved and nourished (Church of England). Life must always be treated with respect. As "God created man in his own image" (Genesis 1.27), human life is thus valuable and destroying it seems disrespectful to God himself. It is also stated in the Bible that our bodies are temples of God's spirit, and "If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him" (1 Corinthians 3.16). Our life is "holy" and the Holy Spirit lives within us, it is therefore wrong to many Christians. 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
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
why do christians oppose euthanasia
Why do many Christians appose euthanasia? Euthanasia is when someone is terminally ill and do not want to live any more. This is a confusing and torturing time for the person that is thinking of euthanasia and the people around then if they know about it. Sometimes euthanasia can just be a phase and people forget that they ever thought of it, but some people feel so strong that they want this done to them that they will not give up until they win. There are three main types of euthanasia. Voluntary euthanasia is when somebody assists them killing them as they may not be able to physically do it themselves. Involuntary euthanasia is when the person being killed is capable of consenting of their own death but does not do so; this normally ends up in being murder. Non voluntary euthanasia is when someone is not able to say if they want to be killed or not. For example if they are in a coma. Doctors will end up making the decision. All of these types of euthanasia can be passive or active. Passive means allowing a patient to die by withholding medical treatment. Active meaning deliberately taking actions to end someone's life. Christians and Protestants have very different views on this subject. Christians appose euthanasia very strongly as they think that life is so sacred it is better than no life at all. If they are going through physical pain Christians think that can be
Explain how a Christian might respond to someone who was thinking of committing suicide
Explain how believing that Vedas and Upanishads are holy books might affect the lives of Hindus. Firstly, the Veda scriptures teach Hindus how to act and behave. They teach people how to behave in each of their ashrams. Many mantras from these texts are used in modern Hindu worship and ritual. Some verses, such as the Gayatri verse, are widely recited in daily worship. Hymns describing God Vishnu and Purusha , Cosmic Man, are recited during the performance of a puja. Verses from the first two Vedas are used as mantras in the sacred thread and marriage ceremonies. They teach Hindus about Samsara and why there are such things as Samsara. It also teaches that God is not sitting in judgement. For example, if someone stole something they would have bad karma because of their own action. Knowing that the Veda books are holy would affect lives of Hindus because they would follow all the sayings and teachings in the books and therefore would act accordingly and if need be change and adjust to what the books say. For example, the Vedas teach Hindus how to act and behave so therefore Hindus do not steal from or insult other people as they have been taught not to. The Vedas are called shruti because they are not believed to be of human origin but instead to have been revealed by Brahma the creator God to inspire the ancient seers. The word Veda means 'to know' and although they are
Using any of the normative theories learnt in class, critically evaluate two arguments for voluntary euthanasia.
Euthanasia Using any of the normative theories learnt in class, critically evaluate two arguments for voluntary euthanasia. Voluntary euthanasia is when a person, who is terminally ill, consents willingly to euthanasia. The patient is usually dependant on life support or is suffering from unbearable pain. Euthanasia is a controversial issue as it is the killing of a patient suffering from an incurable disease by another person, a choice which is sometimes out of the patient's control. It eliminates the possibility of a "miracle" cure or continued future for the patient. Using the normative theory of Utilitarianism, where the most amount of pleasure is derived from the most number of people, when a terminally ill patient is a financial burden on his family; more people, in this case, the patient's relatives who are funding his treatment, are spared from this burden if the patient undergoes euthanasia, and they experience the most amount of relief. The patient's family and friends also suffer the emotional weight of having to worry about the well being of a person who is unable to care for himself, driven by the hope that he might get well eventually. If the patient is putting up with a great deal of pain, euthanasia also brings pleasure and relief to the patient with an end to his suffering, and not just happiness to the relatives or friends who are involved. In addition,