14.4: Euthanasia

"Whose life is it anyway?" is a question commonly asked when euthanasia is discussed. At this point Humanists and Christians differ. Humanists believe that everyone owns their own life; Christians believe that they belong to God. Belonging to God is not comparable to being owned as a piece of property. It means belonging in the sense similar to the way in which you belong to your wife or family. If you belong to someone you do not make decisions without reference to them, and when you enjoy a close personal relationship with someone their interests and well-being are a vital factor in all decisions that you make. Therefore, Christians believe that their lives are not just their own to dispose of. God's will must be taken into account.

Euthanasia comes from the Greek for a happy death. In what circumstances do some people ask for euthanasia?

The great difference between Christianity and non-religious viewpoints is how pain is seen. For a non-religious person who believes that there is nothing beyond the death of the body, a painful death is ultimately meaningless. It is better that it be over. Christians, however, believe in the cross. This is the belief that suffering is a challenge. If we overcome suffering as part of our commitment to God we grow as persons. Thus when a Christian bears suffering without letting it make them bitter and resentful, they are growing closer to God and becoming more Christ-like. Christians believe that the aim of life on Earth is to prepare yourself for your meeting with God. Thus suffering in this view can be a positive experience and a means of spiritual growth.

Many Christians offer their sufferings to God as penance for their sins and the sins of the world. They feel that when they are sick that they can unite their sufferings with Christ. Do you think that this attitude can help Christians come to terms with suffering and death?

Yet there are difficult situations which challenge Christian thinking. Read through the following situations, discuss them and answer the questions.

Suppose a person has been in a serious accident and is completely braindead, meaning that all conscious life has permanently ceased, but the body is being kept alive on a respirator. Some people would say that euthanasia is merciful to the person in these circumstances; others would say that the person is dead in the true sense anyway, so killing the body is not even euthanasia; others say that we have an absolute duty to respect life in all circumstances.

What are your views on this matter?

Suppose that a person is dying and in great pain. Christians believe that while pain can be a spiritual challenge it is right to minimise it. Suppose a person is in the last few minutes of life and is in enormous pain and all painkillers have failed. A doctor gives them a substance which eases their pain by killing them. Whether the person would die of the disease before they die of the poison is unclear. Is this euthanasia? Is it morally permissible?

Consider this situation. In the course of history there have been people who were accustomed to torture to death captured soldiers. Suppose a soldier was left wounded on a battlefield when his companions were forced to retreat. In such circumstances some men have shot their wounded friends rather then let them be tortured to death. Would a Christian think this right?