Euthanasia
Euthanasia
DEFINITIONS
Passive Euthanasia
The withholding or withdrawing of a life-sustaining treatment, when certain justifiable conditions exist, allowing the patient to die.
Active euthanasia
The intentional and/or direct killing of a human being either by that person (suicide) or by another (assisted suicide).
Voluntary Euthanasia
Occurs whenever a competent patient autonomously requests it.
Non-voluntary Euthanasia
Occurs whenever a person is incapable of forming a judgment or expressing a wish in the matter
Involuntary Euthanasia
Occurs when the person expresses a wish to live but is nevertheless killed or allowed to die.
This creates 6 categories of euthanasia. All 'active' euthanasia is, in my opinion, immoral (I suppose there may be exceptions I'm not aware of). Passive Euthanasia is more of a gray area. I know many godly people who have refused another round of treatments for their terminal illness in exchange for some peaceful last weeks/months with their family. Passive non-voluntary is the most difficult to discern. Passive involuntary certainly seems wrong to me in all cases I can think of.
Passive-Voluntary:
Active-Voluntary:
Passive-Non-Voluntary:
Active-Non-Voluntary:
Passive-Involuntary:
Active-Involuntary:
TWO VIEWS
The traditional view holds that it is always wrong to intentionally (actively) kill an innocent human being, but that given certain circumstances it is permissible to withhold or withdraw treatment and allow (passively) a patient to die.
The radical view denies that there is a morally significant distinction between passive and active euthanasia (defined below) that allows the former and forbids the latter. Accordingly, this view argues that mercy killing, assisted suicide, and the like are permissible.
BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES
The Principle of God Given Life
It is God, not man, who has the right to determine the number of one’s days
The Principle of Pure Motive
God is most interested in the motives behind our actions
The Principle of Good-Will
One should act to further the welfare of another and to prevent evil or harm to that person. Beneficence requires me to do something for someone.
The Principle of Non-Harm
One should refrain from inflicting harm (or unduly risking the infliction of harm) on another. Non-Harm requires me to refrain from doing something to someone.
The Principle of Autonomy
A competent person has the right to determine his or her own course of medical action. We have a duty to respect the wishes and desires expressed by a competent decision-maker.
The Principle of Life Preservation
We have a moral duty to protect and preserve human life whenever possible. The burden of proof is always on taking human life, not on sustaining it.
Closing Thoughts on Euthanasia
This issue can be difficult because these principles often confront each other
One can make a wrong decision for the wrong reasons
One can make a right decision for the wrong reasons
One can make a wrong decision for the right reasons
One can make a right decision for the right reasons
Closing Thoughts on suicide
Suicide is a sin against God
Suicide is a selfish decision
A momentary choice to commit to Christ does not guarantee us heaven
A momentary choice to commit suicide does not guarantee us hell
We do not keep our salvation if we consistently and deliberately sin
We do not lose our salvation each time we sin
We do not get re-saved each time we repent
DEFINITIONS
Passive Euthanasia
The withholding or withdrawing of a life-sustaining treatment, when certain justifiable conditions exist, allowing the patient to die.
Active euthanasia
The intentional and/or direct killing of a human being either by that person (suicide) or by another (assisted suicide).
Voluntary Euthanasia
Occurs whenever a competent patient autonomously requests it.
Non-voluntary Euthanasia
Occurs whenever a person is incapable of forming a judgment or expressing a wish in the matter
Involuntary Euthanasia
Occurs when the person expresses a wish to live but is nevertheless killed or allowed to die.
This creates 6 categories of euthanasia. All 'active' euthanasia is, in my opinion, immoral (I suppose there may be exceptions I'm not aware of). Passive Euthanasia is more of a gray area. I know many godly people who have refused another round of treatments for their terminal illness in exchange for some peaceful last weeks/months with their family. Passive non-voluntary is the most difficult to discern. Passive involuntary certainly seems wrong to me in all cases I can think of.
Passive-Voluntary:
Active-Voluntary:
Passive-Non-Voluntary:
Active-Non-Voluntary:
Passive-Involuntary:
Active-Involuntary:
TWO VIEWS
The traditional view holds that it is always wrong to intentionally (actively) kill an innocent human being, but that given certain circumstances it is permissible to withhold or withdraw treatment and allow (passively) a patient to die.
The radical view denies that there is a morally significant distinction between passive and active euthanasia (defined below) that allows the former and forbids the latter. Accordingly, this view argues that mercy killing, assisted suicide, and the like are permissible.
BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES
The Principle of God Given Life
It is God, not man, who has the right to determine the number of one’s days
The Principle of Pure Motive
God is most interested in the motives behind our actions
The Principle of Good-Will
One should act to further the welfare of another and to prevent evil or harm to that person. Beneficence requires me to do something for someone.
The Principle of Non-Harm
One should refrain from inflicting harm (or unduly risking the infliction of harm) on another. Non-Harm requires me to refrain from doing something to someone.
The Principle of Autonomy
A competent person has the right to determine his or her own course of medical action. We have a duty to respect the wishes and desires expressed by a competent decision-maker.
The Principle of Life Preservation
We have a moral duty to protect and preserve human life whenever possible. The burden of proof is always on taking human life, not on sustaining it.
Closing Thoughts on Euthanasia
This issue can be difficult because these principles often confront each other
One can make a wrong decision for the wrong reasons
One can make a right decision for the wrong reasons
One can make a wrong decision for the right reasons
One can make a right decision for the right reasons
Closing Thoughts on suicide
Suicide is a sin against God
Suicide is a selfish decision
A momentary choice to commit to Christ does not guarantee us heaven
A momentary choice to commit suicide does not guarantee us hell
We do not keep our salvation if we consistently and deliberately sin
We do not lose our salvation each time we sin
We do not get re-saved each time we repent
posted by matthew at 2:28 PM
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