Christian Arguments Against Euthanasia

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The phrase “euthanasia” comes from two Greek terms, “eu” and “thanatos” which means good and death respectively. Therefore, the term refers to a homogeneity of assisted suicide, murder and killing. Precisely, the Bible is considered the word of God and the importance of human life is regarded as part of the salvation of Jesus Christ, which is intrinsic in creation (Meilaender and Werpehowski eds. 2005, p.13). Most Christians oppose the process of euthanasia. Their arguments continue based on the views that God is the sole giver of life. Also, they believe that human beings exist created in the image of God. Therefore, they oppose interfering with the normal process of death (Muskus2015, p.11). However, proponents of this practice argue that euthanasia must not be considered an evil act since the life of humans remains based on responsibility and stewardship for engaging in good things, which is impossible in a suffering (Messer 2002, p.10). Therefore, Christians experience a significant dilemma in protecting life without committing the killing, but remaining respectful and compassionate in different circumstances. The paper is aimed at discussing euthanasia from the Christian perspective and providing different viewpoints …show more content…

Specifically, voluntary euthanasia relates to the request of the patient who desires to die. On the other hand, involuntary euthanasia does not presuppose that the patient has a choice to die (Muskus 2015, p.12). Moreover, active euthanasia assumes a considerate and planned intervention, such as giving an injection to a suffering person desiring to die. On the contrary, passive euthanasia refers to the act of discontinuing or withholding treatment to a person so that he/she can die (Meilaender and Werpehowski eds. 2005, p.13). Passive euthanasia can apply in cases of looming death, which require a sympathetic moral inclination toward the life of a