1. Whatever happens?2. Whatever happens naturally?3. Whatever happens according to the Bible and teaching of the Church ?

What is the “Will of God” ?

Different Christian Attitudes to Euthanasia

To K different Christian attitudes towards Euthanasia

To be able to give evidence for different Christian attitudes to euthanasia

Catholic Church• Voluntary passive euthanasia.. Acceptable?

SOMETIMES: – Brian death has occurred (= death). The medics decide.– Extraordinary treatments are the only remaining option– “Double effect” of pain killers is acceptable – may hasten death, but death is

not directly intended).

• Voluntary active E./ assisted suicide…Acceptable?

NEVER : – “to cause death in this way is a grave violation of the law of God” (Vatican Document)

• Hospices make Euthanasia unnecessary: they are expert at maintaining quality of life through pain relief, so to seek euthanasia to end suffering should never be an issue.

Why Catholics oppose Euthanasia BJCBible teaching: write out only the relevant part of the quote:

Gen 1:26 b 1 Cor 6:19-20 Ex 20:13 Job 1:21 Ecclesiasticus 3:1-2

Jesus: ?evidence of his lifeTeaching of the Magisterium:

Why Catholics oppose Euthanasia BJCBible teaching:

Gen 1:26 b “In the image of God…” 1 Cor 6:19-20 “you are the temple of the holy spirit” ()Ex 20:13 “Do not kill” Job 1:21 "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away" Eccls 3:1-2 “For every thing there is …a time to be born, and a time to die”Jesus: did not seek to shorten his suffering or death, but accepted it, for the salvation of the world. Christians follow his example.Teaching of the Magisterium:

1. Sanctity of Life; 2. Vatican Document: “to cause death in this way is a grave violation of the law of God”

Salvation ArmyAny form of euthanasia is wrong. • Strong belief in Sanctity

of Life

• Take bible teachings literally esp. that belief in Christ brings life, never death.

Oppose switching off life support. Do not accept ‘living wills’

Liberal Protestants(some Anglicans + non-conformists

Allow some active euthanasia- modern medicine means

hard to tell when someone is “meant” to be allowed to die

- Jesus teaching “love thy neighbour” can justify some assisted suicide as a compassionate response

- accept living wills. People should have control over their doctors interventions. A “human right” (this is not a religious argument!)

Accept passive euthanasia (withdrawal of life support & treatment in some situations)

Video

Definition of Active Euthanasia

1 Argument FOR active euthanasia

The Law • in the UK• elsewhere (Holland

& Belgium).

What the RC Church says & why- give evidence (BJC)

What other Churches say & why: salvation army vs liberal protestants

1 Arguments AGAINST active euthanasia

Summing Up: TicTacToe

Definition of Passive Euthanasia