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Euthanasia is the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged
benefit. (The key word here is "intentional". If death is not intended, it is not an act of euthanasia).
Types of Euthanasia:
Voluntary euthanasia: When the person who is killed has requested to be killed.
Non-voluntary euthanasia: The killing of patients who are unable to give consent to be killed (perhaps
because they are unconscious).
Involuntary euthanasia: When the person who is killed gave no consent to be killed.
Assisted suicide: Someone provides an individual with the information, guidance, and means to take his or
her own life with the intention that they will be used for this purpose.
Passive euthanasia: The withholding of common treatments (such as antibiotics, pain medications, or
surgery) or the distribution of a medication (such as morphine) to relieve pain, knowing that it may also
result in death. Passive euthanasia is the most accepted form, and it is a common practice in most
hospitals.
The Christian Response
Christians are mostly against euthanasia. The arguments are usually based on the notion of the sanctity of life
- beliefs that life is given by God, that human beings are made in God's image and that all human lives are
equally valuable. Some churches also emphasise the importance of not interfering with the natural process of
death.
Life is a gift from God:
all life is God-given
birth and death are part of the life processes which God has created, so we should respect them
therefore no human being has the authority to take the life of any innocent person, even if that person wants
to die
Human beings are made in God's image:
human life possesses an intrinsic dignity and value because it is created by God in Gods own image for the
distinctive destiny of sharing in God's own life
o saying that God created humankind in Gods own image doesn't meant that people actually look like
God, but that people have a unique capacity for rational existence that enables them to see what is good
and to want what is good
o as people develop these abilities they live a life that is as close as possible to God's life of love
o this is a good thing, and life should be preserved so that people can go on doing this
All human lives are equally valuable:
Christians believe that the intrinsic dignity and value of human lives means that the value of each human life is
identical. They don't think that human dignity and value are measured by mobility, intelligence, or any
achievements in life.
Sacred Scripture
Many Christian denominations base their response to this issue on various parts of sacred scripture, including
Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness - Genesis 1:26
You shall not kill. - Fifth Commandment, Exodus 20:13
It is I who bring death and life. - Deuteronomy 32:39
So always treat others as you would like them to treat you. - The Golden Rule, Matthew 7:12
Love your neighbour as yourself. - From the Great Commandment, Mark 12:31
Various stories in NT of Jesus healing and raising e.g. Lazarus story. Respect for life.
In 1995 when the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act was being addressed in the Northern Territory, Church
leaders from Anglican, Catholic and Uniting Churches issued a joint statement calling on the Federal
Government to act to adopt a pro-life position.
It affirms that life is a gift from God not to be taken, and is therefore not subject to matters such as freedom
of individual choice.
It affirms the right of patients to decline treatment but not to expect the active intervention by medical staff
to end their lives.
It urges members of State legislatures to vote against legislation to legalise euthanasia when such matters
come before their Parliaments.
It calls upon governments to further improve access to high quality palliative care to ensure that all people
will be able to die with dignity.