Euthanasia

Clare Dempsey

9X2

Different types of Euthanasia;

• Euthanasia; a gentle and easy death, Usually permitted to terminally ill patients.

• Voluntary Euthanasia; The person is mentally stable and has made the decision for themselves to die.

• Non-Voluntary Euthanasia; Where the patient is unconscious and the doctor or family have reason to believe it is what the patient would want.

• Passive Euthanasia; Refusing to take treatment that could prevent you from dying.

• Assisted Suicide; Where someone provides a seriously ill person with the means to die.

Christian teaching on Euthanasia

•Catholics disagree with Euthanasia

•Other Christians believe Euthanasia can be ok in certain circumstances

Reasons behind Catholic beliefs on Euthanasia

Catholics believe that Euthanasia is wrong for many different reasons

• It overlooks the sanctity of life• You are playing the role of God by choosing who dies

and when, “In his hands is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being” Job 12:10

• It is taking a life regardless of it being permitted• All life is sacred and important, and should be protected

and respected at all times

CATHOLICS ARE PRO-LIFE

Reasons for Other Christian beliefs on Euthanasia

• In some cases, it can be the lesser evil thing to do

• Jesus said “do the most loving thing”• We should use our free will to do our best to

end peoples suffering• God is benevolent and would understand why

we allow Euthanasia• We shouldn’t make someone live on to suffer

SOME OTHER CHRISTIANS ARE PRO-CHOICE

EuthanasiaFor Euthanasia

•It is the lesser evil thing to do

•We should try our best to end suffering

•God is benevolent and would understand why we try to end peoples

suffering in the form of Euthanasia

•We have free will and are allowed to use it for

good

Against Euthanasia

•“Thou shalt not kill”

•It is murder

•God has a plan for all of us

•We are putting ourselves on par with

God

•We all need to take up our cross, and

should not want to die at the first sign of

suffering

The Double effect

Regardless of the sanctity of life, Catholics (along with Christians) do however accept the double effect. The double effect is by taking so many strong painkillers, it could

effectively shorten your life by several months, Catholics don’t discourage this

because the intention is not to try and kill yourself, but it is to ease your pain.

Conclusion

• Voluntary Euthanasia, Non-Voluntary Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide are disapproved of by Catholics, whilst other Christians believe it can be the lesser of two evils

• Catholics do approve of the Double effect and passive Euthanasia because it is still encouraging Gods natural plans

• Catholics are pro-life • Other Christians can be Pro-Choice