Download - Moral issues euthanasia
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Moral Issues Facing Christians• Euthanasia
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Understanding the Issue• Euthanasia is from the Greek “Eu”
meaning “goodly or well” and “Thanatos” meaning death.
• Even some of the 18th century writers in England thought Euthanasia was a good death, a welcome way to depart quietly and well from life.” -MedicineNet.com
• Today, it is more than that. A.k.a: Assisted suicide, aid in dying, mercy killing, etc.
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Understanding the Issue• Euthanasia is not to be confused with
refusing artificial life support and allowing the natural death process.
• The problem exists where some forms of assisted suicide are legal in several countries, and in the U.S., Montana, Oregon, Texas, Washington. -Wikipedia
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Arguments For Euthanasia• Some say…
– Choice: A principle for liberal democracies and free market systems.
– Quality of life: Rationalize because of the pain that can come due to sickness, disease, etc.
– Economic costs and human resources: Because of lack of resources, reason
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Arguments Against Euthanasia
• Professional.– It could compromise the role of health care
workers.– Ministers of health and life would become
ministers of death.• Moral and Theological.
– Viewed as murder, and voluntary seen as suicide.
– Violates sanctity of human life, that human life belongs to God.
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Arguments Against Euthanasia
• Feasibility of implementation• To be voluntary patient must be mentally competent
to decide.
• Necessity• Where there is life there is hope for cure, remission,
etc.
• Wishes of family• Family often desires to spend as much time as
possible with their loved one before they die.
• Consent under pressure• If euthanasia is deemed acceptable there will be
economic pressure toward consent.
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What Does the Bible Say?• We must let the Bible show us to discern
between good and evil. Hebrews 5:14– Life comes from God, to take it is wrong.
• Only God has the supreme authority to take it. Acts 17:25, 28; Job 1:20-21
– Human life is sacred because we’re made in God’s image. Genesis 9:5-6
– Suicide in general is an act of murder which is immoral. Exodus 20:13 “shall not murder”
– Our bodies belong to God, not us.1Cor.6:19-20; Rom. 14:7-8; 2 Cor. 5:15; Phil. 1:21-24
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What Does the Bible Say?• Every example of suicide in the Bible was by
a sinful man.– Abimelech assisted by his armor bearer. Judges
9:50-54– Saul fell on his sword. 1 Samuel 31:3-4– Ahithophel, who hanged himself. 2 Sam. 17:23– Zimri, who burned himself alive. 1 Kgs 16:18-19– Judas, who hanged himself. Matthew 27:5
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What Does the Bible Say?• Men of God chose to endure pain rather
than to end life prematurely.– Job. Job 2:7-10; 6:8-9– Jeremiah. Lam. 3:38-41; Jer. 40:4– Jesus. 1 Peter 3:18; Heb. 12:2– Early Christians saw value in suffering. Rom.
5:3-4; James 1:2-4; 1 Pet. 1:6-7; – Paul’s example. Phil. 1:21-24; 2 Cor. 4:8-12;
2 Cor. 1:6-11
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Glorify God In Everything• Voluntary euthanasia (suicide) even when
one is suffering can be viewed as…– An act of ingratitude toward God.– A violation of our duty to serve God.– A selfish act that hurts those closest to us,
depriving them of our example and influence.• How can we hurry our death, just to avoid
suffering? 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor. 1:3-5– When we don’t know what the future holds!– When our suffering may be allowed for our
benefit and those around us!