Euthanasia is it for the good or bad??

Euthanasia is it for the good or bad??

In recent times euthanasia has been a hot topic in the newspapers and in the news on TV. Euthanasia is defined as the act of killing someone else to relieve their pain or stress. It could also be considered as the practice of supplying someone with the materials for another person to commit suicide.

It is mostly done to relieve someone who has an incurable disease and to help them pass away painlessly. Some people believe that Euthanasia is a way for a person to die with dignity and it can also be known as mercy killing.

The law in the UK states that Euthanasia is a criminal offence and is classed as murder. In some rare cases, a person can take their case to court and rarely a judge allows for Euthanasia. Doctors in the UK are cautious of the law and 94% of them do not want a change in the law that would make Euthanasia legal.

Throughout the world many people have conflicting views about Euthanasia and whether it should be legal.

The Christian view is suggests that euthanasia is wrong. This is due to the fact that the Christian religion agrees with the sanctity of life.

The sanctity of life states that life is a gift from God and that humans were made in his image and therefore as He gives life only He should have the power to take it away.

Christians also believe that euthanasia goes against the commandment ‘thou shall not kill’ and feel all persons involved have committed an act of murder.

Christians believe that life is precious they believe that God has set out a path for each and every one of us and that does not include euthanasia. They feel that before we were born God had a plan for every human being and they should not stray from that plan. In addition to this, the Christian religion does not condone suicide in any circumstances and therefore would not agree to let someone kill themselves just because they are ill. Many members of the Christian Church feel that hard times are tests from God, they believe that He will help them get through it and they should not prematurely act because of discomfort.

Despite this, the various denominations of Christianity differ in their opinion and each Christian is individual. For example, some do condone Euthanasia as they believe in being compassionate and in life without suffering. Also, they may feel that true healing occurs in Heaven and euthanasia speeds up the path to heaven.

Personally, as a Christian I agree with the idea of the sanctity of life. I acknowledge that life is precious and is the most valuable thing in the world. I think that no matter how much pain someone is in they shouldn’t choose to end their life. I think that people can still cherish their memories and they also have there loved ones. I disagree with the idea of suicide in all situations and I feel that, while prolonged suffering is a bad idea, suicide should not be condoned. However, without a doubt I believe that euthanasia should not be made legal and feel that a person with the true proposal of Euthanasia should take their case to court.

As mentioned before I feel the law should not be changed because it would be so easy for people to take advantage of the law. For example, doctors or even untrustworthy relatives could abuse the new power and kill for money. An example of this can be seen with the case of Harold Shipman that was uncovered in January 2000. Shipman killed over 200 of his patients. I fear if Euthanasia was made legal, many more innocent people who did/do not want to die, will end up being ruthlessly murdered.

In Judaism Euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, and all other types of suicide are almost unanimously condemned in Jewish thought, primarily because it is viewed as taking something (a human life) that belongs to God.

Judaism also views the sanctity of life in a similar way to Christians. Jews believe that humans were made in God’s image and therefore as He gives life only He should have the power to take it away. Jews also believe that euthanasia goes against the commandment ‘thou shall not kill’

The Talmud does tell a story that can be seen as applicable to the issue of euthanasia. In this story, Rabbi Chanina ben Teradion was being burned alive by the Romans. His pupils urged him to end his suffering quickly by opening his mouth and taking deep breaths of smoke and flames. But he replied, "It is better that He who gave (me my soul) should take it rather than I should cause injury to myself."

Jewish law forbids euthanasia in all forms, and is considered an act of homicide. The life of a person is not "his" - rather, it belongs to the One who granted that life. It may be therefore be reclaimed only by the true Owner of that life.

In Judaism suicide is thought of as the denial that human life is a gift that comes from god. Jews put life ahead of everything else in life. Fasting, circumcision and anything else can be postponed if it has any effects on health.

An example of euthanasia being condemned in judaism is when a soldier takes Saul's life at his request, and King David has the soldier executed for murder.
Most other religions also consider euthanasia as a sin because of the sanctity of life however some religions seem to act upon it in a different manner.
Written by Christine Darwin

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