Euthanasia

Joshua Lassiter/ Joshua.lassiter@saintleo.edu

Pastor Ron Hodge
Rel-220, Christian Ethics Final
March 20, 2009
Views of Euthanasia
      The world today has many opinions towards what is right and what is wrong when it comes to the value of life.   Euthanasia has been an ongoing discussion in religion and medical practices for many years. Is it right to end one’s life due to pain and suffering? What type of pros and cons that can come from making that decision? Is it morally right from a Christian perspective to do something that God himself will not do unless he feels it is the right time? What type of rights do the family and doctors have to make the decision to end a life? In the following paragraphs I will break down what type of impact it has from various angles on life.
Pros of Euthanasia
      The original meaning to Euthanasia is a good death or death without suffering. In today’s society there are many views towards what type of positive impact it can make financially and emotionally. According to the research Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, “Euthanasia is killing on request and is defined as a doctor intentionally killing a person by the administration of drugs, at that person’s voluntary and competent request.” The question may be asked, “How is this right and how would one make a decision like this?”
      This is where some of the positives of euthanasia take place. First, if the situation where a person has an incurable illness and continues to struggle through pain, they should be able to make the decision when all options have been depleted to end there suffering. Why must a person with multiple organ failures need to continue to be treated for something that is no longer preventable. To stay on life support for how ever long, just until that person passes away is not logical. Second, when a person decides to make this decision, it is technically there freedom of choice. They choose to leave this world in another way then God... [continues]

Read full essay