Religious Perspectives on Sanctity of Life

Sanctity of Life

• Sanctity of life is the belief that life is sacred and deserves protection and respect.
• Various religions uphold this principle, emphasizing compassion, non-violence, and the divine gift of life.

Religious Perspectives on Sanctity of Life

• Buddhism: Emphasizes compassion, non-violence, and respect for all living beings. Harming others creates negative karma, and the first precept is "Do Not Kill or Harm Living Beings."
• Islam: Views life as a sacred gift from God, needing protection and respect. Peace, justice, and preserving life are moral duties.
• Christianity: Believes human life is sacred because it's created by God and reflects God's image. Life's sanctity is upheld from conception to natural death, promoting love, justice, and care.

Animal Testing & Religious Views

• Purpose of Animal Testing: Used for medical, cosmetic, and scientific research. Aids in developing treatments, vaccines, and ensuring product safety, while also understanding diseases before human trials.
• Theology: Study of God, religious beliefs, and spiritual ideas, exploring divine nature, morality, and human purpose across various traditions.
• Ethical Arguments: Supporters emphasize necessity for medical advancement and human safety. Opponents raise ethical issues, highlighting alternatives like computer models and lab-grown cells. Current trend is shifting towards reduced/replaced animal testing.
• Religious Views on Animal Testing:
  • Buddhism: Opposes harming animals (Ahimsa); advocates for alternatives to testing.
  • Christianity: Humans are stewards of creation. Testing is justified only if it minimizes suffering.
  • Islam: Animals must be treated humanely. Testing should be necessary and cause minimal harm.

Euthanasia & Religious Views

• Euthanasia: Intentionally ending a person's life to alleviate suffering; often used for those with terminal illnesses or extreme pain.
• Ethical Dilemma: Concerns centre on the value of human life and morality of intentional termination. This sparks debates on whether euthanasia is compassion or a violation of medical ethics, raising risks of abuse.
• Arguments For Euthanasia:
  • Dignity and relief from suffering for terminally ill patients.
  • Relief from extreme pain where no effective treatments exist.
  • Respecting personal autonomy and the right to choose one's fate.
• Arguments Against Euthanasia:
  • Undermining the sanctity of life, leading to involuntary euthanasia.
  • Alternatives such as palliative care exist.
  • Risks of abuse, potentially affecting vulnerable individuals.
• Religious Responses to Euthanasia:
  • Christianity: Life is sacred, generally opposing euthanasia as interfering with God's will; but supports palliative care and pain relief even if it shortens life.
  • Islam: Euthanasia is forbidden as life is a gift from God. God alone decides when life ends; sometimes suffering is seen as a test of faith.

Abortion & Secular/Religious Views

• (Note: No specific details on abortion provided in the original text. This section is empty for this request)

IVF, Organ Donation, and Medical Ethics

• IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): A medical procedure in which eggs are fertilized outside the body and then implanted in the womb. Facilitates assisted pregnancy.
• Organ Donation: Donation of organs or tissues to improve or save lives, either after death or via live donation (e.g., kidney donation).
• Medical Ethics: Branch of ethics related to moral principles in healthcare and medicine, guiding decisions about patient care, research, and professional conduct.
• Four Pillars of Medical Ethics:
  • Autonomy: Respect for patient decision-making.
  • Beneficence: Acting in patient's best interest.
  • Non-Maleficence: Avoiding harm to the patient.
  • Justice: Fair treatment and resource distribution.
• Religious Views (Islam & Christianity):
  • Islam: Generally accepts IVF for married couples, but discourages surrogacy and third-party donors. Organ donation is permissible saving life, emphasizing dignity in treatment.
  • Christianity: Some accept IVF as a way for couples to have children; others oppose it due to concerns related to embryo disposal. Organ donation is widely supported as a charitable act to save lives.