the distinction between active and passive euthanasia and the contemporary debate about euthanasia

• active euthanasia: withholding treatment with the deliberate intention of ending life e.g drugging 
• passive euthanasia: where the dose of a pain-killing drug is increased to control the pain and shorter life or when the treatment is withheld as it’s only delaying the natural process  

             

•for (voluntary) euthanasia 

          •view of some and most Protestant 

          •quality may come before sanctity 

          •loss of dignity is not his God’s image in Creation

          •euthanasia can be a source of compassion

          •duty of responsible decision, which was given to us by God

          •keeping someone alive artificially goes against God’s will of killing them 

•against (voluntary) euthanasia 

          •view of most mainstream 

          •“I knew he couldn't live” - Samuel 

          •life is sacred and god-given - breaking the 6th Commandment 

          •shows a lack of trust in God’s love and compassion

          •duty to defend the vulnerable 

          •hospice movement and palliative care preserves dignity better than euthanasia