25 Bible Verses about Euthanasia – Human Life International

In nine states and in Washington, DC, it is legal to decide the day of your own death should you feel that your suffering is too much to bear. Though this is defined as euthanasiaaccording to Merriam-Webster, the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individualsin a relatively painless way for reasons of mercyproponents of this heinous act prefer the euphemism death with dignity.

But regardless of what the secular world calls it, taking the life of an innocent personsick, elderly, disabled, or otherwiseis both wrong and immoral. We know this because the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable. It further teaches that those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect (2277).

Respect for the sanctity and dignity of all human beings is an integral part of a Culture of Life. Yet the world erroneously teaches that people should be able to decide when they die. This takes the power out of the hands of God and gives it to man. Not only that, but it makes those who are sick and dying believe that they are burdens who should lighten the load for their caregivers, when it should be the caregivers who lighten the load for the sick and dying.

How do we know this? We read stories throughout the Bible that teach about the sanctity of life. We see teachings that prohibit murder. We see teachings commanding us to love one another. We see passages commanding us to give of ourselves to others. And we read about the value of suffering.

God gave us His words in the Bible so that we could learn how to live and how to love our fellow human beings. This biblical worldview guides us along our path to eternity with Him; and furthermore, ignoring Gods words not only hurts us, but it hurts others as well. Thats why its so important to read and understand what the Bible teaches.

Below are several inspiring Bible verses that teach us the importance of respecting and caring for our fellow human beings. When we read and reflect on these, we will come to know our Lord better. We will understand His commands and want to live our lives accordingly.

No one is master of the breath of life so as to retain it, and none has mastery of the day of death. Ecclesiastes 8:8

Whoever takes the life of any human being shall be put to death. Leviticus 24:17

You shall not kill. Exodus 20:13

There are six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to him [including] haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood. Proverbs 6:16-17

Then the king will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me. Matthew 25:34-36

Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. James 5:14-15

Those who shut their ears to the cry of the poor will themselves call out and not be answered. Proverbs 21:13

Rescue the lowly and poor; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Psalm 82:4

Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as a father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters with complete purity. 1 Timothy 5:1-2

No one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church. Ephesians 5:29

Do not cast me aside in my old age; as my strength fails, do not forsake me. Psalm 71:9

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys Gods temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Put on then, as Gods chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12

Urge the younger men, similarly, to control themselves, showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be criticized. Titus 2:6-8

Bear one anothers burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. 1 John 3:17-18

You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:39

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word. Ephesians 5:25-26

Love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10

Love is patient, love is kind. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind. Hebrews 13:16

We even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5

Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3

But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly. 1 Peter 4:13

The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ [Jesus] will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. 1 Peter 5:10

Its not easy to care for someone who is sick or dying. In fact, it can be incredibly difficult and drainingemotionally and physically. Yet the Church clearly teaches that we must love and care for people with compassion.

Caring for loved ones means that we must never allow them to believe they are burdens. Caring for them means we must see the face of Christ in them. It means we must see them through Christs eyes and reflect Christs love.

The term death with dignity is an immense deception. Every single personregardless of abilityhas dignity. Dignity is something we inherently have as human beings. We do not lose it. And we do not need to die to have or retain dignity. Yes, there may be some occasions or times in life that make us feel sad, humiliated, embarrassed, or ashamed. These may include allowing others to care for us. But those are just feelings. And those feelings do not mean an absence of dignity.

Seeing people through the eyes of Christ means that we must have compassion for them. Compassion never results in the taking of someones life. True compassion lies in walking with the suffering person, caring for him, and serving him.

Before Mary appeared to the children at Fatima, an angel appeared and spoke with the children. He told them they were to sacrifice daily. When Lucia asked how they should sacrifice, he responded: With all your power offer a sacrifice as an act of reparation for the sinners by whom He [the Lord] is offended, and of supplication for the conversion of sinners.

In other words, our suffering helps others! Thats why the Church teaches the redemptive value of suffering. We believe that good can come from all suffering. How is this so? When we suffer, we can offer it up for a soul in purgatory. We can also offer it up for someone else who is sick here on earth. Knowing that our suffering is helping others can create great joy within usif we let it. Knowing that were growing closer to God also helps us feel that joy.

Furthermore, when we suffer, we unite ourselves with Christ on the cross. We experience a small part of what He experienced when He gave His life for us, and we give a small part of ourselves to Him in return. This brings us closer to eternal life with Him.

St. John Paul II explains this in Salvifici Doloris (On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering):

As the individual takes up his cross, spiritually uniting himself to the Cross of Christ, the salvific meaning of suffering is revealed before him. He does not discover this meaning at his own human level, but at the level of the suffering of Christ. At the same time, however, from this level of Christ the salvific meaning of suffering descends to mans level and becomes, in a sense, the individuals personal response. It is then that man finds in his suffering interior peace and even spiritual joy.

Further Reading: Human SufferingDoesHave a Purpose

While euthanasia is a grave evil, we must understand that we are not required to use extraordinary means to keep our loved ones alive. The Catechism teaches: Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of over-zealous treatment. Here one does not will to cause death; ones inability to impede it is merely accepted.

Further reading: Ordinary and Extraordinary Means of Treatment

For example, when a frail and elderly woman has battled cancer and is near the end of her life, she need not feel obligated to continue treatment that will make her sicker.

Only God should have control over life and death, so we must never do anything to hasten death.

We know that Gods love for us is immeasurable; we can see this love every time we look at the crucifix.

Our suffering leads us closer to Him. And isnt that the whole point of life?

Why Euthanasia Is WrongFrom a SecularViewpoint

Church Teachings on Euthanasia

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25 Bible Verses about Euthanasia - Human Life International