EUTHANASIA

         The Bible teaches that murder is wrong (Exodus 20:13], which includes so called “mercy killing” or euthanasia.  Euthanasia comes from a Greek term meaning “good death.”  In practical terms it is defined as the causing of death in an easy and painless fashion for those who are enduring an incurable and often painful disease.  Euthanasia is rejected by Christianity.  We can be grateful that we live in a day when medical professionals are able to reduce a patient’s pain dramatically, but for whatever motivation, the taking of innocent human life is wrong.  God’s Word tells us we are not to kill, even if the one who is suffering requests it.  Life is God’s to give and God’s to take away.  Job, who faced the loss of all his earthly possessions and the death of his children said in Job 1:21, “the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”  It is recognized that various kinds of medical equipment are used in extraordinary situations to try and save a life.  Sometimes it becomes obvious that respiratory and other bodily functions are only carried on by the equipment and that life, as man can measure it, has ceased.  When that time arrives it is appropriate for family members and medical professionals to decide when to disconnect such equipment.  This action is not a form of euthanasia.  To administer a drug to take a life is “active euthanasia.”  To withhold food and water is “passive euthanasia.”  Both are unacceptable according to the Scriptures.