Citation

Cherry MJ. Christ. Bioeth. 2018; 24(1): 1-16.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Journal of Christian Bioethics, Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/cb/cbx021

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Christianity's opposition to euthanasia and assisted suicide is grounded in its recognition of such actions as serious violations of the prohibition against murder and self-murder, even in cases where those individuals consent or otherwise signal their willingness to die as in cases of voluntary euthanasia. Fully to appreciate the implications of assimilating assisted death into medical practice, one must recognize the spiritual significance of killing on the physicians who euthanize patients or who aid and abet patients in killing themselves. One will also need to appreciate the spiritual importance of such actions on the patients killed. Physician-assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia are not neutral actions. Moreover, that the patient desired or requested the killing does not change the moral character of the act or its spiritual significance. This issue of Christian Bioethics explores the implications for medicine and society as physician-assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia are assimilated into contemporary healthcare practice. © The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press, on behalf of The Journal of Christian Bioethics, Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Euthanasia; Christianity; Physician-assisted suicide; Medically assisted death