The “U.S. Government Information on Organ and Tissue
Donation and Transplantation” website has a resourceful link regarding
religious views on donation. Many religions don’t seem to conflict with the
concept of donation upon death. For example, according to the website,
Catholicism believes “Organ, eye, and tissue donation is considered an act of
charity and love, and transplants are morally and ethically acceptable to the
Vatican. (Pope John Paul II,
Evangelium Vitae, no. 86)” (“Religious Views on Donation” 1). Islam,
according to the website, believes “The Fourth Conference of the Islamic Fiqh
Council determined that transplantation offers “clear positive results” if
practiced “...to achieve the aims of sharee'ah which tries to achieve all that
is good and in the best interests of individuals and societies and promotes
cooperation, compassion and selflessness.” Provided that “shar'i guidelines and
controls that protect human dignity” are met, “It is permissible to transplant
an organ from a dead person to a living person whose life or basic essential
functions depend on that organ, subject to the condition that permission be
given by the deceased before his death, or by his heirs after his death….”
Regarding living donation, it is permissible to transplant organs such as a
kidney and or a lung “in order to keep the beneficiary alive or to keep some
essential or basic function of his body working.” (Resolutions of Islamic Fiqh
Council of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Fourth Conference,
Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 18-23 Safar 1408 AH/6-11 February 1988 CE)” (“Religious View on Donation” 1). So,
Islam doesn’t prohibit donation upon dying, my initial belief was misguided. Judaism
believes “In principal Judaism sanctions and encourages organ,
eye, and tissue donation in order to save lives. Rabbi Elliott N. Dorff wrote
that saving a life through organ donation supersedes the rules concerning
treatment of a dead body. Transplantation does not desecrate a body or show lack
of respect for the dead, and any delay in burial to facilitate organ donation
is respectful of the decedent. Organ donation saves lives and honors the
deceased. The Conservative Movement's Committee on Jewish Laws and Standards
has stated that organ donations after death represent not only an act of
kindness, but are also a “commanded obligation” which saves human lives. (On Educating Conservative Jews
Regarding Organ Donations, May 1996)”
(“Religious Views on Donation” 1). According to a BBC article on organ
donations and religion, “No religious law prohibits Hindus from donating
their organs and tissues. Life after death is a strong belief of Hindus and is
an ongoing process of rebirth. This could be seen as reflecting positively on
the concept of organ donation and transplantation. A minority argument, though,
says that if someone donates an organ as intrinsic to the body as a heart, the
principle of karma means the recipient will have to return the favour in the
donor's next life - which means the donor will have to have a next life. Hindus
hope to be liberated from the cycle of rebirth, so this would be a
disadvantage. However, most Hindus would view this argument as selfish”
(“Hinduism and Organ Donation” 1). Here,
the top four most practiced religions in the world (not including Secular/Agnostic/Atheist) seemingly agree that donating an organ after
death to help save lives is not only acceptable, but honorable (Juan 1). Among
these religions, these two websites cover beliefs of Mormons, Presbyterians,
United Methodists, and many more. So ask yourself, was it your religion that
had you doubt the righteousness of donating? Maybe you choose not to associate
with a religion, or maybe your faith is not your driving cause, then continue
on and ask yourself, “What morals might be behind donating?”
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