The Bible and Euthanasia

Euthanasia is a controversial issue in today's society. It is defined

as the intentional ending of a life with the purpose of relieving pain

or suffering. Many people believe that it is within a human's right to

die a peaceful, dignified death with assistance. While others believe

that euthanasia is an immoral act and that legalising the deliberate

killing of humans will undermine the legal system in the UK. Currently

in the UK, it is illegal for a doctor or another person to

deliberately do something that causes the patient to die - e.g. an

injection. This is known as active euthanasia, and the person could

face murder or manslaughter charges. However, letting a patient die by

switching off a life support machine does happen in hospitals in the

UK. This is known as passive euthanasia and is not illegal.

The Voluntary Euthanasia Society campaigns for the legalisation of

euthanasia in the UK. The organisation campaigns to make it legal for

a competent adult, who is suffering from a severe or terminal illness,

to be allowed to request medical help to die at their own request. The

organisation supports the 'right to choose', and believes that we as

individuals should be able to decide when and how to die. It believes

that euthanasia is humane as it prevents a dying person from losing

their dignity through suffering and it can also be a relief to

families who experience anguish and distress by watching their

relative suffering.

Many Christians believe that euthanasia is wrong, as life is a gift

given by God and only he should take it. They believe that birth and

death are controlled by God, and they should be respected. Death

sho...

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...a dignified death. Also I

disagree with the legal system when criminal charges are enforced upon

a person who is assisting another person to die peacefully. I think

that people's judgement of euthanasia is negative, as death is

regarded as a bad thing. However voluntary euthanasia is positive as

it gives the patient personal choice and may shorten the grief of the

patient's loved ones if they know that the patient died a peaceful

death. Although some people believe that euthanasia devalues life, I

do not agree because I feel that it gives the patient an opportunity

to end his or her life by celebrating their life in the company of

loved ones. To conclude, I think that society's view on euthanasia

needs to be more open, and hopefully people will realise that it is a

positive thing, and not just a means of a quick death.