The Bible and Euthanasia
The issue of Euthanasia doesn't come up in the Bible. However, there are general sanctity of life principles, and some specific teachings that talk about the end of life.
Bible quotes used to argue AGAINST Euthanasia
Christians believe that all humans are made in God's image, and are therefore sacred. The following sanctity of life teachings could be applied to euthanasia:
“In the image of God” – Genesis 1:26
“Do not kill” – Exodus 20:13
”You yourselves are God's temple” - 1 Corinthians 3:16
The book of Job deals with the immense suffering that Job endures. By the end of the book, Job begins to argue with God. However, Job ultimately accepts that God has a greater plan than he can comprehend. The most useful passage, echoed elsewhere in the Bible, is:
"The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away" - Job 1:21
"My times are in thy hand..." - Psalms 31:15
“Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?” - Ecclesiastes 7:17
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted” - Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
"No man has power over the wind to contain it; so no one has power over the day of his death." - Ecclesiastes 8:8
Bible quotes used to argue FOR Euthanasia
There are actually examples of euthanasia in the Bible. For example, King Saul:
Then he begged me, ‘Come over here and put me out of my misery, for I am in terrible pain and want to die.’ “So I killed him,” the Amalekite told David, “for I knew he couldn’t live.
Samuel 1:9-10
Some Christians see euthanasia as a compassionate response, and they use passages about love to argue for euthanasia.
"Love your neighbour as you love yourself" - Jesus
They would also point to the lack of prohibition. The Bible tends to be very specific about moral issues, but doesn't specifically condemn euthanasia.
