Pro-life arguments (against Euthanasia)
- Many pain killing drugs can now help a patient die with dignity.
- A dying patient may not be able to make a rational decision.
- A patient may have said they want euthanasia when they were nowhere near death; however, when faced with death they may change their mind but be incapable of telling anyone.
- Many people recover after being “written off” by doctors.
- Euthanasia makes life disposable – it could be the first step on a slippery slope.
- Hippocratic Oath: doctors must try to preserve life. If euthanasia was legalised, the relationship of trust between doctors and patients can be destroyed.
- If there were better facilities for caring for dying, there would be less need for euthanasia.
- People might be pushed into saying they want euthanasia by relatives who do not want to look after them.
Many Christians are against euthanasia. They argue it is dangerous to make euthanasia legal.
- “ Thou shall not kill”. It is wrong to take away God’s sacred gift of human life.
- “ God made man in his own image” Genesis 1:27 – human life is a sacred gift from God.
- “ God gives and God takes away” Job 1:21, not us!
- “ Don’t you know that you are the temple of God?” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
- Jesus healed the sick and dying, he did not kill them. Christians have a duty to help others who are suffering, not kill them.
- Humans have a responsibility to use God’s gifts to the full, not end it! Suicide denies our responsibilities to our neighbours, society, family, etc..
- Everyone is created by God and offered salvation through Christ – killing is always wrong.
- Killing a life opposes God’s love for that person.