Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Religion and Medicine
- Christianity
- How do religious people make decision about medical issues? Look through their holy book to find
beliefs or stories that are similar and may help. Think about important principles in the religion eg.
10 commandments. Discuss with other believers and faith leaders. Pray and seek God’s guidance.
Think about the effects of their actions on those close to them.
- Christianity – Sanctity of Life 1. Life is a gift from God. 2. Only God can decide when life should be
ended. Reasons for believing this: God created life – Genesis 1 v 27 God has a plan for every human
life Psalm 139 v 13 -16 It is wrong to kill – Sixth Commandment/ 1 Corinthians v 16/17 (Christians use
these teachings to help them to make decisions about all Medical Issue)
- Christianity and Abortion. Roman
Catholics/Evangelical Protestants - Abortion is wrong
Sanctity of life. God has created life in the mother, Life
begins at conception Sixth commandment – do not
murder Other Protestant Christians think it is
acceptable in some situations It may be the lesser of
two evils. Not allowing abortion causes too much
suffering. Life doesn’t begin at conception 4. Love your
neighbour is the most important rule.
- Christianity and Transplants For some Christians it is
wrong Sanctity of life; Only God can decide Doctors are
trying to be like God It is wrong to buy organs. Acceptable
from live donors 1. Love your neighbour 2. Giving is a loving
thing to do For Liberal Christians it is acceptable because: 1.
Organs are not needed after death 2. You will be given a
new body for heaven 3. Loving your neighbour is a golden
rule
- Christianity and Infertility For Roman Catholics/some other Christians IVF is wrong: 1. It is not natural
- God only intended for children to come from sex 2. Any process using IVF involves throwing away
some embryos and this is the same as abortion. Other Christians accept IVF: Only if the egg and
sperm are from the husband and wife New methods should be used to give children For some
donated sperm or eggs is like adultery.
- Christianity and Euthanasia 1.
Sanctity of life means that
nearly all Christians oppose the
practice of euthanasia. 2.
Christians must not murder
(sixth commandment). The Bible
says life and death decisions
belong to God. 3. Church leaders
have said that life is sacred and
comes from God; only God can
decide when someone should
die. 4. Doctors are required to
save lives not kill. 5. Christians
support the hospice movement
which cares for those people
dying with dignity. Loros is the
local hospice in Leicester.
- Genetic Engineering Some support as long as it is to cure
diseases and not to create perfect humans. Because: Jesus
showed should do all can to cure diseases Genetic cures are
just like finding drug cures Embryos used are not a human
life Some against because: 1. If embryos are used and
discarded it is murder! 2. It is trying to play God 3. It is wrong
to try and make the earth perfect as only heaven is perfect
- Islam
- Islam and Sanctity of Life Muslims believe that: Every person has been created by Allah. Allah is the
only one who has the right to give and take life. Allah has a plan for each life. Suicide is wrong. No
one has the right to take anyone else’s life. Going against these teachings is shirk; trying to compare
yourself to Allah. (These ideas guide Muslims when making decisions about Medical Issues)
- Islam and Abortion Against Sanctity of life –
only Allah can take life. Quran – Allah says
never should kill your children. Even before
the soul enters the foetus – it is a life
planned by Allah. Acceptable to some
Muslims If mother’s life is at risk because it
may be the lesser of two evils Hadith and
Muslim lawyers – foetus only becomes a
child at 120 days when the soul is breathed
in to the foetus
- Islam and Euthanasia 1. The Qur’an bans suicide and declares
that no soul can die without God’s permission. 2. Sanctity of life
leads Muslims to forbid any form of euthanasia. 3. Muhammad
(pbuh) said that a Muslim soldier who committed suicide
because he was dying a painful death on the battlefield would
not be allowed into heaven. 4. Life is a test from God and so if
you use euthanasia, you are cheating and won't pass the test.
- Islam and Infertility Most Muslims accept IVF and
AIH (Artificial Insemination by Husband) because:
The egg and sperm are from the husband and the
wife. All Muslims should have children to follow the
example of the prophet who had children. The
unused embryos are not a life until they are 14
days old. But Islam does not allow donation: Like
adoption and adultery, they are both banned in
Islam
- Islam – Transplant Surgery Most don’t agree because: Shariah law says nothing should be removed
from body after death It is ‘playing God’ (shirk) which is a great sin Qur’an only God has right to give
and take life Some allow transplant surgery using organs from a living donor who is a close relative
because: 1. Some Muslim lawyers have said it is allowed 2. Islam aims to do good and help people 3.
UK Muslim law council of the United Kingdom has said it is acceptable to carry donor cards
- Islam – Genetic Engineering Some support
if done to cure diseases and not to create
perfect humans. Because: Qur’an and
Hadith teach should cure diseases Genetic
cures are just like finding drug cures
Embryos used genetic research not a
human life Some against all because: Only
God has right to alter people’s genetics
Embryo research is the same as abortion It
is playing God which is a great sin; shirk