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What Does My Religion Say about Donation?
While there are some variations
in specifics, the major religions of the world generally
support bone marrow donation, or take the position that it
is a matter for individual decision. We have been
unable to find specific research data on bone marrow
donation. However several studies have been done into
the views of religions on organ and tissue donation and
transplants.
All major religions support organ and tissue donation as a
humanitarian gift, giving life. Organ and tissue
donation represents one of the highest forms of loving,
giving and caring. Many denominations have passed
resolutions encouraging their members, as part of their
ministry, to become organ and tissue donors.
Below is a listing of religions and their
viewpoints on donation. (We would be happy to hear
from anyone who is able to provide additional information to
what is published below).
AME & AME ZION (African Methodist Episcopal)
Organ and tissue donation is viewed as an act of
neighbourly love and charity by these denominations. They
encourage all members to support donation as a way of
helping others.
AMISH
Approved if there is a definite indication that the
health of the recipient would improve, but reluctant if the
outcome is questionable. The Amish will consent to
donation if they believe it is for the well being of the
transplant recipient. John Hosteler, world-renowned
authority on Amish religion, states in his book, Amish
Society, “The Amish believe that since God created the human
body, it is God who heals. However, nothing in the Amish
understanding of the Bible forbids them from using modern
medical services, including surgery, hospitalization, dental
work, anesthesia, blood transfusions and immunizations.”
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ASSEMBLY OF GOD
The Church has no official policy in regards to organ
and tissue donation. The decision to donate is left up to
the individual. Donation is highly supported by the
denomination.
BAPTIST
Organ and tissue donation is supported as an act of
charity. The Baptist Church leaves the decision up to the
individual. The largest Protestant denomination in the
United States, the Southern Baptist Convention, adopted a
resolution in 1988 encouraging physicians to request organ
donation in appropriate circumstances and to “encourage
voluntarism regarding organ donation in the spirit of
stewardship, compassion for the needs of others and
alleviating suffering.” Other Baptist groups have
supported organ and tissue donation as an act of charity and
leave the decision to donate up to the individual.
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BAHAISM
Bahaism believes that transplants are acceptable if
prescribed by medical authorities, and are permitted to
donate their bodies for research and for restorative
purposes.
BRETHREN
While no official position has been taken by the
Brethren denominations, according to Pastor Mike Smith,
there is a consensus among the National Fellowship of Grace
Brethren that organ and tissue donation and transplantation
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.
The Church of the Brethren’s
Annual Conference in 1993 wrote a resolution on organ and
tissue donation in support and encouragement of donation.
They wrote that, "We have the opportunity to help others out
of love for Christ, through the donation of organs and
tissues."
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BUDDHISM
Helping others is central to Buddhism along with the
belief that charity forms an integral part of a spiritual
way of life. Human life, like everything else, is
impermanent. It may be considered an act of compassion to
enable another person to continue to live. Sogyal Rinpoche,
in The Tibetan Book of Living & Dying, states that “organ
donation is an extremely positive action. As long as it is
truly the wish of the dying person, it will not harm in any
way the consciousness that is leaving the body. On the
contrary, this final act of generosity accumulates good
karma.” The importance of letting your 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 Vatican. Pope John Paul II stated, “The
Catholic Church would promote the fact that there is a need
for organ donors, and Christians should accept this as a
challenge to their generosity and fraternal love, so long as
ethical principles are followed.”
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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 of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) to enrol as organ donors and
prayerfully support those who have received an organ
transplant."
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
The Church of Christ Scientist does not have a specific
position regarding organ donation. According to the First
Church of Christ Scientist in Boston, Christian Scientists
normally rely on spiritual instead of medical means of
healing. They are free, however, to choose whatever form of
medical treatment they desire - including a transplant. The
question of organ and tissue donation is an individual
decision.
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EPISCOPAL
The Episcopal Church passed a resolution in 1982 that
recognizes the life-giving benefits of organ, blood, and
tissue donation. All Christians are encouraged to become
organ, blood, and tissue donors "as part of their ministry
to others in the name of Christ, who gave his life that we
may have life in its fullness."
EVANGELICAL COVENANT
CHURCH
A resolution passed at the Annual Meeting in 1982
encouraged the members to "sign and carry Organ Donor
Cards." The resolution also recommended "that it become a
policy with our pastors, teachers, and counselors to
encourage awareness of organ donation in all our
congregations."
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GREEK ORTHODOX
The Greek Orthodox Church supports donation, as long as
the organs and tissue are to better human life, either
through transplantation or research leading to the
improvements in the treatment and prevention of disease.
According to Reverend Dr. Milton
Efthimiou, Director of the Department of Church and Society
for the Greek Orthodox Church of North and South America,
"the Greek Orthodox Church is not opposed to organ donation
as long as the organs and tissue in questions 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
Donation of organs is an individual decision.
According to the Hindu Temple
Society of North America, Hindus are not prohibited by
religious law from donating their organs. This act is an
individual's decision. H. L. Trivedi, in Transplantation
Proceedings, stated that, "Hindu mythology has stories in
which the parts of the human body are used for the benefit
of other humans and society. 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."
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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
The religion of Islam strongly believes in the principle
of saving human lives. The Noble Qur’an references this
principle in several chapters (see below).
“…and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved
the life of the whole people” (ch.5, v. 32).
“…but do good; for Allah loveth those who do good” (ch.2, v.
195).
“Whatever of good ye give benefits your own souls, and ye
shall only do so seeking the "Face" of Allah. Whatever good
ye give, shall be rendered back to you, and ye shall not Be
dealt with unjustly” (ch.2, v. 272).
A. Sachedina in his Transplantation Proceedings article
(1990), “the majority of the Muslim scholars belonging to
various schools of Islamic law have invoked the principle of
the priority of saving human life, and have permitted the
organ transplant as a necessity to procure that noble end.”
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JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
According to their national headquarters, the Watchtower
Society, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe donation is a matter of
individual decision. Jehovah’s Witnesses are often assumed
to be opposed to donation because of their belief against
blood transfusion. However, this merely means that all blood
must be removed from the organs and tissue before being
transplanted. In addition, it would not be acceptable for an
organ donor to receive blood as part of the organ recovery
process.
JUDAISM
All four branches of Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative,
Reform and Reconstructionist) support and encourage
donation. According to Orthodox Rabbi Moses Tendler,
Chairman of the Biology Department of Yeshiva University in
New York City and Chairman of the Bioethics Commission of
the Rabbinical Council of America, "If one is in the
position to donate an organ to save another's life, it's
obligatory to do so, even if the donor never knows who the
beneficiary will be. 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." In 1991, the Rabbinical
Council of America (Orthodox) approved organ donations as
permissible, and even required, from brain-dead patients.
The Reform movement looks upon the transplant program
favorably and Rabbi Richard Address, Director of the Union
of American Hebrew Congregations Bio-Ethics Committee and
Committee on Older Adults, states that "Judaic Responsa
materials provide a positive approach and by and large the
North American Reform Jewish community approves of
transplantation."
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LUTHERAN
Lutherans passed a resolution in 1984 stating that
donation contributes to the well-being of humanity and can
be “an expression of sacrificial love for a neighbour in
need.” They call on members “to consider donating…and to
make any necessary family and legal arrangements, including
the use of a signed donor card.”
MENNONITE
Mennonites have no formal position on donation, but are
not opposed to it. They believe the decision to donate is up
to the individual and/or his or her family.
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MORAVIAN
The Moravian Church has made no statement addressing organ
and tissue donation or transplantation. Robert E. Sawyer,
President, Provincial Elders Conference, Moravian Church of
America, Southern Province, states, "There is nothing in our
doctrine or policy that would prevent a Moravian pastor from
assisting a family in making a decision to donate or not to
donate an organ." It is, therefore, a matter of individual
choice.
MORMON (CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believes
the decision to donate is an individual one made in
conjunction with family, medical personnel and prayer. Jerry
Cahill, Director of Public Affairs for the Mormon Church,
says, “Mormons must individually weigh the advantages and
disadvantages of transplantation and choose the one that
will bring them peace and comfort. The Church does not
interpose any objection to an individual decision in favour
of organ and tissue donation.”
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PENTECOSTAL
Pentecostals believe that the decision to donate should be
left up to the individual.
PRESBYTERIAN
Presbyterians encourage and support donation. They respect a
person’s right to make decisions regarding their own body.
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PROTESTANTISM
Protestants encourage and endorse organ donation. The
Protestant faiths respect an individual's conscience and a
person's right to make decisions regarding his or her own
body. Reverend James W. Rassbach, Lutheran Board of
Communication Services, Missouri-Synod, says "We accept and
believe that our Lord Jesus Christ came to give life and
give it in abundance. Organ donations enable more abundant
life, alleviate pain and suffering and are an expression of
love in times of tragedy."
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
Donation and transplantation are strongly encouraged by
Seventh-day Adventists. They have many transplant hospitals,
including Loma Linda in California. Loma Linda specializes
in pediatric heart transplantation.
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SHINTO
In Shinto, the dead body is considered to be impure and
dangerous, and thus quite powerful. "In folk belief context,
injuring as dead body is a serious crime. . .", according to
E Narnihira in his article, "Shinto Concept Concerning the
Dead Human Body." "To this day it is difficult to obtain
consent from bereaved families for organ donation or
dissection for medical education or pathological anatomy . .
. the Japanese regard them all in the sense of injuring a
dead body." Families are concerned that they not injure the
itai - - the relationship between the dead person and the
bereaved people.
SIKH
The Sikh religion stresses the importance of performing
noble deeds, and saving a life is considered one of the
greatest forms of noble deeds. Therefore organ donation is
deemed acceptable to the Sikh religion.
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SOCIETY OF FRIENDS
(QUAKERS)
Organ and tissue donation is believed to be an individual
decision. The Society of Friends does not have an official
position on donation.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
Organ and tissue donation is widely supported by Unitarian
Universalists. They view it as an act of love and selfless
giving.
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UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
The United Church of Christ supports and encourages
donation.
Reverend Jay Lintner, Director,
Washington Office of the United Church of Christ Office for
Church in Society, states, "United Church of Christ people,
churches and agencies are extremely and overwhelmingly
supportive of organ sharing. The General Synod has never
spoken to this issue because, in general, the Synod speaks
on more controversial issues, and there is no controversy
about organ sharing, just as there is no controversy about
blood donation in the denomination. Any organized effort to
get the General Synod delegates or individual churches to
sign organ donation cards would meet with generally positive
responses."
UNITED METHODIST
The United Methodist Church issued the following policy
statement regarding organ and tissue donation:
We believe that organ
transplantation and organ donation are acts of charity,
agape love, and self-sacrifice. We recognize the life-giving
benefits of organ and other tissue donation and encourage
all people of faith to become organ and tissue donors as a
part of their love and ministry to others in need. We urge
that it be done in an environment of respect for deceased
and living donors and for the benefit of the recipients, and
following protocols that carefully prevent abuse to donors
and their families.
The United Methodist Church
participates in the observation of National Donor Sabbath to
help increase awareness of the critical need for organs and
tissues and the miracle of transplantation. This annual
interfaith celebration of life stresses the importance of
donation. Religious leaders who participate in discussions
of donation with their congregants can affirm that choosing
to be an organ and tissue donor offers the opportunity to
share the greatest blessing of all -- the gift of life.
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WESLEYAN CHURCH
The Wesleyan Church supports donation as a way of helping
others. They believe that God’s "ability to resurrect us is
not dependent on whether or not all our parts were connected
at death." They also support research and in 1989 noted in a
task force on public morals and social concerns that "one of
the ways that a Christian can do good is to request that
their body be donated to a medical school for use in
teaching."
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Sources: Organ
& Tissue Donation: A Reference Guide for Clergy, (SEOPF &
UNOS); New York Regional Transplant Program, Inc.; American
Council on Transplantation; National Kidney Foundation; the
New Jersey Organ and Tissue Sharing Network; the
Pennsylvania Medical Medical Society. |
