| Religious
Views on Organ and Tissue Donation |
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A common question that arises when people are asked to consider donation of their organs and tissues, or those of their loved ones, is: "Is donation compatible with my religious beliefs?" The fact is that all major religions in the United States support organ, eye and tissue donation and see it as the final act of love and generosity toward others. LifeBanc is dedicated to helping the general public and religious leaders make informed decisions about the life-saving benefits of organ and tissue donation. A call to all religious leaders is an outreach and resource for clergy to assist with spreading the message of the Gift of Life. Awareness can be as simple as scheduling a speaker to talk before, during or after a service, or honoring National Donor Sabbath, a day set aside to remember and respect those who have given the Gift of Life. This is only one of the several celebrations that take place during the year. However, your commitment to donation is important each and every day of the year. The Clergy Packet was created as a resource to assist in planning an organ and tissue donation-centered service for any denomination. The following summary statements from various religious groups, which are listed alphabetically, may be helpful to you. |
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Organ and tissue donation is viewed as an act of neighborly love and charity by these denominations. The Church encourages all members to support donation as a way of helping others. Amish The
Amish consent to transplantation if they know it is for the well-being of the
recipient. John
Hostetler, a world-renowned authority on Amish religion and
professor of anthropology at Assembly
of God The church has no official policy regarding organ and tissue donation. The decision to donate is left up to the individual.
The
Brethren While no official position has been taken by the Brethren denominations, according to Pastor Mike Smith, there is consensus among the National Fellowship of Grace Brethren that organ and tissue donation is a charitable act so long as it does not impede the life or hasten the death of the donor, or does not come from an unborn child. Buddhism Buddhists believe organ and tissue donation is a matter of individual conscience and place a high value on acts of compassion. The importance of letting loved ones know your wishes is stressed. Catholicism Catholics
view organ and tissue donation as an act of charity and love. Transplants are
morally and ethically acceptable to the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) The Christian Church encourages organ and tissue donation, stating that we were created for God's glory and for sharing God's love. A 1985 resolution adopted by the General Assembly encourages members to "enroll as organ donors and prayerfully support those who have received an organ transplant." Church
of Christ, Scientist (Christian Science) Christian Scientists normally rely on spiritual rather than medical means for healing. However, members may choose whichever form of medical treatment they desire - including a transplant. Organ and tissue donation is an individual decision. Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) Mormons believe donation is an individual decision made in conjunction with family, medical personnel and prayer. The Church does not oppose donation. Church
of the Nazarene The Church encourages members who do not object personally to support donor and recipient anatomical gifts through living wills and trusts. Further, the Church appeals for morally and ethically fair distribution of organs to those qualified to receive them (Manual, Church of the Nazarene 1997 - 2001, paragraph 904.2). Episcopal The Church passed a resolution in 1982 that recognizes the life-giving benefits of organ, blood and tissue donation. Greek
Orthodox The
Church is not opposed to organ donation as long as the organs and tissue
in question
are used to better human life, i.e., for transplantation or for research
that will lead to improvements in the treatment and prevention of disease.
Hinduism Organ donation is an individual choice. H.L. Trivedi, in Transplantation Proceedings, writes, "There is nothing in the Hindu religion indicating that parts of humans, dead or alive, cannot be used to alleviate the suffering of other humans." Independent
Conservative Evangelical Generally, Evangelicals have no opposition to organ and tissue donation. Each church is autonomous and leaves the decision to donate up to the individual. Islam In a 1990 Transplantation Proceedings article entitled "Islamic Views on Organ Transplantation," A. Sachedina writes, "the majority of the Muslim scholars belonging to various schools of Islamic law have invoked the principle of priority of saving human life and have permitted the organ transplant as a necessity to procure that noble end." Jehovah's
Witness According to the Watch Tower Society, Jehovah's Witnesses believe donation is a matter of individual choice. Members are often assumed to be against donation because they refuse blood transfusions. Donation can occur if all blood is removed from organs and tissue before being transplanted. Judaism All four branches of Judaism - Conservative, Orthodox, Reconstructionist and Reform - support and encourage donation. The basic principle of Jewish ethics, "the infinite worth of the human being," also includes donation of corneas since eyesight restoration is considered a life-saving operation. Lutheran In
1984, the Mennonite Mennonites have no formal position on donation. The decision to donate is up to the individual and his or her family. Moravian The Church has not made a statement addressing donation or transplantation. The decision is a matter of individual choice. Pentecostal The decision to donate is left up to the individual. Presbyterian The Church encourages and supports donation. A person's right to make decisions regarding his or her body is respected. Religious
Society of Friends (Quakers) The Quakers have no official position on donation. It is widely believed to be an individual choice. Roma
(Gypsies) The Roma are people of different ethnic groups with no formal religion, but common folk beliefs. They oppose donation because of a traditional belief that the soul retraces its steps for one year after death. Thus, the body must remain intact because the soul maintains its physical shape. Seventh-day
Adventist Donation
and transplantation are strongly encouraged. The Church is affiliated with
many hospitals, including Shinto A dead body is considered to be impure and dangerous, and thus, quite powerful. Families are often concerned that they not injure the itai, the relationship between the dead person and the bereaved people. Unitarian
Universalist Organ and tissue donation is widely supported. It is viewed as an act of love and selfless giving. United
The Church is extremely supportive of organ donation. It is not seen as a controversial issue. United
The
Information
compiled and summarized from: Association
of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO). http://www.aopo.org.
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