Religion and Medicine

Religion and Medicine

1. How do religious people make decision about medical issues?

   • Look through their holy books
   • Remember important principles such as the 10 commandments
   • Discuss with other believer and faith leader
   • Pray and seek God's guidance
   • Think about the effects of their actions on those close to them

2. Sanctity of Life

   • Christianity
     • Life is a gift from God
     • Only God can decide when life should be ended
       • God created life
       • God has a plan for every human life
       • It is wrong to kill
   • Islam
     • Everyone was 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

3. Abortion

   • Christianity
     • Roman Catholics and Evangelical Protestants are against
       • Sanctity of Life
       • God has created life in the mother
       • Life begins at conception
       • Sixth Commandment - do not murder
     • Other Protestant Christians think that it is acceptable
       • It may be the lesser of two evils
       • Not allowing abortion causes too much suffering
       • Life does not begin at conception
       • Love your neighbour is the most important rule
   • Islam
     • Acceptable to some
       • If the mother's life is at the risk because it may be the lesser of two evils
       • Ensoulment only happens in the 120th day
     • Some are against
       • Sanctity of life- only Allah can take life
       • Qur'an says you should never kill your children
       • Even before the soul enters the foetus a life is planned by Allah

4. Transplants

   • Christianity
     • Some think that it is wrong
       • Sanctity of live; only god can decide who lives or dies
       • Wrong to buy organs
       • Doctors are trying to be God
     • Some think it is acceptable
       • Love your neighbour
         • Golden Rule
       • Giving is a loving thing
       • Organ are not needed after death
       • You will be given a new body for heaven
   • Islam
     • Most don't agree
       • Shariah law says nothing should be removed from body after death
       • Its is playing God which is a sin
       • Only God has the right to give or take life
     • Some agree
       • Some Muslim lawyers have said it is allowed
       • Islam aims to do good and help people
       • UK Muslim law council of the United Kingdom has said it is acceptable to carry donor cards

5. Infertility

   • Christianity
     • Roman Catholics/some other Christians IVF is wrong
       • It is not natural- God only intended for children to come from sex
       • Any IVF involves throwing away some embryos which is the same as abortion
       • Donated egg or sperm is like adultery
     • Other Christians accept
       • Only if the egg and sperm are from the husband and wife
       • New methods should be used to give children
   • Islam
     • Most accept IVF and AIH
       • The egg and sperm are from the husband and 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
     • Islam bans donation
       • donation = adultery

6. Euthanasia

   • Christianity
     • Sanctity of life
       • oppose to the practise
     • 'Do not murder' commandment
     • Life is sacred and come from God; only God can decide when someone should die
     • Doctors are required to save lives not kill
     • Hospice movement cares for those dying
       • Loros is the local hospice
   • Islam
     • Qur'an bans suicide
     • Sanctity of live
       • forbid any form of euthanasia
     • Muhammad said that a Muslim soldier who committed suicide because he was dying a painful death on the battlefield would not be allowed into heaven.
     • Life is a test from God and so if you use euthanasia, you are cheating and won't pass the test.

7. Genetic Engineering

   • Christianity
     • Some support
       • Jesus showed we should do all we can to cure diseases
       • Genetic cures are like finding drug cures
       • Embryos used are not a human life
     • Some are against
       • If embryos are used and discarded it is murder
       • It is playing God
       • It is wrong to make Earth perfect as only heaven is perfect
   • Islam
     • Some support
       • Qur'an and Hadith teaches that we should cure diseases
       • Genetic cures are like normal drug cures
       • Embryos used in genetic research are not a human life
     • Some are against
       • Only God has the right to alter genetics
       • Embryo research is the same as abortion
       • It is shirk