What Different Religions Have to Say on Euthanasia

The question of the legality of euthanasia has never been thoroughly settled and the controversy threatens to rage on for many more years. Euthanasia is most difficult to settle in the aspect of ethics and morality, which, in reality is the major deterrent to its legalization. If morality objects, then there is no way that legislation can have it passed.

It goes without saying of course that morality is tied to religion. The moral objections to euthanasia stem from the viewpoint of the major religious traditions of the world. One such major tradition that has been strong in its opposition is Christianity.

Christian faith is of course founded on scriptural text. The Bible in the Book of Exodus details the story of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments. One of these commandments explicitly orders, "Thou shall not kill." This has been understood as a clear, divine law against any form of killing. It has been counter argued however that this Biblical reference has been hugely misinterpreted. The Ten Commandments were primarily handed down for the regulation of Hebrew community life. The rule not to kill was God's instruction for Hebrews to preserve the lives of their fellow Hebrews in the community to ensure the group's continued peaceful existence. Then again, Christianity adheres to these Commandments. God's law is for everyone. In this sense, euthanasia, which is still a form of killing, is regarded as a sin, whether it be voluntary or non-voluntary.

Christian belief also contends that life has come to us from God. It is his gift and therefore it is sacred. It is the fact of life's sacred origin that is the basis for the notion that only God can take life away in His own time. It also presupposes that whatever comes from God should be respected. Those who are against euthanasia maintain that any form of life-taking even if supposedly prompted by compassion is disrespectful to God. Euthanasia is as if man has taken into his hands the decision of when death should come. There are those who argue however that it is a cruel god who allows the prolonged suffering of individuals without leaving social provisions to eradicate this unbearable pain through assisted death.

Certain religious groups also believe that legalizing euthanasia may only promote a culture of death. This may mean that other forms of death-promoting acts may be fully legalized too such as abortion, capital punishment and non-voluntary euthanasia. Other than this concern, it is also believed that people may opt for euthanasia when pressured by other considerations such as mounting medical expenses and becoming a social burden to caregivers. To this argument those on the side of euthanasia assert that not just anyone can opt for euthanasia since a physician needs to asses a patient's condition before euthanasia is permitted

Like Christianity, Islam and Judaism also maintain that euthanasia is morally wrong. Some religions however, may allow the concept of euthanasia under certain circumstances. Buddhism and Hinduism are religions that clearly promote life but may allow euthanasia as a compassionate act.

It is impossible to suppose that some sort of resolution can be arrived at regarding the question of morality in this decade or the next. Indeed morality has been euthanasia's toughest critic.