Euthanasia and Religion Essay -- Euthanasia Physician Assisted Suicide

Euthanasia and Religion      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the world today, medical technology is so advanced that a terminally ill patient can be kept alive for months or even years - sometimes against the will of the patient. When did suicide become a sin, and who decided that it was? "Opinion polls consistently show a majority of people professing all varieties of faiths support a change in the law for voluntary euthanasia. Even amongst Roman Catholics, more people support euthanasia than oppose (a poll in Scotland showed over 50% support), in spite of the church's opposition" (Religion and the Right to Die 1). And still in the United States assisted suicide is illegal in all but one state, Oregon.    "Official church policies usually oppose euthanasia. The Roman Catholic Church is the largest single funder opposed to euthanasia. It invests more money in its fight against euthanasia than all the combined resources of right to die societies around the world many times over" (R&RD 1).    In today's society, few churches prohibit passive euthanasia - where the patient refuses treatment or medication. The Evangelicals, Islam and the Mormon Church are faiths that restrict any type of euthanasia - passive, active or voluntary and involuntary. The most liberal of faiths Episcopalian, Unitarian, Methodist, Presbyterian and Quakers allow at least individual decision making in the choice for active euthanasia, as do the Hindu and Sikh religions. "Suicide (self-deliverance) is accepted by a number of faiths. There is the Jaina ethic of voluntary death through fasting. It is often thought that the Roman Catholic Church absolutely prohibits suicide, but Catholic theologians have confirmed that the prohibition, whilst being the Vatican's current ... ... would make if I were faced with the issue.    In my opinion, euthanasia is a moral grace to end the pain and suffering of terminal illness.          WORKS CITED Pavon, Father Frank "Brief Reflections on Euthanasia" April 2, 2001   Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.priestsforlife.org/euthanasia/euthrefl.html.>  Ã‚   1- 8.    Euthanasia: The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, April 2, 2001   Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/e/euthanas.htm.  Ã‚   1-4 Euthanasia. April 1, 2001 http://islam.org/Science/euthanas.htm   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   1-3.    Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide: "All Sides of the Issue" April 2, 2001   Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.religioustolerance.org/euthanas.htm.  Ã‚   1-17.    Religion and the Right to Die. March 22, 2001.   Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.euthanasia.org/religion.html   1-4 Roy, Vance. Personal Interview, April 15, 2001. Via Internet email.