Euthanasia

Question 1

What are attitudes to passive euthanasia?

Answer 1

1. Switching off life support is acceptable. This is if brain death has been established.
2. Not giving extraordinary treatment is not wrong. It is likely to only put off death for a short time or give painkillers which may shorten life.

Question 2

What are attitudes against all forms of euthanasia?

Answer 2

1. Suffering is part of God’s plan. This means that Christians should accept suffering.
2. They regard all forms of passive euthanasia as euthanasia. Life is ended by humans, not God, this is wrong.
3. Euthanasia is putting yourself on par with God. Condemned in the Bible.

Question 3

What are non-religious attitudes that are against euthanasia?

Answer 3

1. Likely to be doubt if it is what the person really wants. Families may pressure them if there is money to gain.
2. There is question to whether the disease is terminal. A cure may be found and they may go into remission.
3. They may change their mind. It would be too late.

Question 4

What are non-religious attitudes that are for euthanasia?

Answer 4

1. People have the right to take their own lives. If people have the right to kill themselves so should the terminally ill.
2. If their quality of life is poor, they should have a right to a painless death.

Question 5

What is the Christian response to the dying and terminally ill?

Answer 5

1. Instead of euthanasia, the terminally ill should be helped by hospices. This is to relieve and control the pain of dying.
2. To help the relatives of the dying emotionally. This means you should speak to them openly and freely.

Question 6

Ethical Responses to euthanasia:

Answer 6

1. Situation ethics: If it improves the quality of life of the person it can be allowed. This is because they are following in Jesus’ footsteps of being loving.
2. Lesser of two evils: Even though it is a sin, it alleviates pain so it is permissable.

Question 7

SOWAAs supporting euthanasia:

Answer 7

1. “even at the risk of shortening their days.”-Catechism
2. “Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome….can be legitimate.”
3. “love your neighbour.”
4. “in his image.”

Question 8

SOWAAs against euthanasia:

Answer 8

1. “you shall not murder.”
2. “in his image.”
3. “the Lord has given, the Lord has taken away.”
4. “Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?”