Organ donation a 'Christian duty'

hairyheretic

The Church of England has declared organ donation to be a Christian duty, in keeping with giving oneself and one's possessions freely.

Body parts should not be mistaken for the person themselves, and the best way to treat them reverently is to use them to heal others, the Church said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7034487.stm

This is a story I came across on the BBCs news site this morning. I thought it might make for some interesting discussion. Anyone feel particularly strongly about it one way or the other?

JimiTime

hairyheretic wrote:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7034487.stm

This is a story I came across on the BBCs news site this morning. I thought it might make for some interesting discussion. Anyone feel particularly strongly about it one way or the other?

I would definately be against it being an obligation. I think its an individuals choice. Religious groups should leave it at that.

Asiaprod

JimiTime wrote:

I would definately be against it being an obligation. I think its an individuals choice. Religious groups should leave it at that.

Plus one.....its an individuals choice, a nice thing to do, but I cannot agree that it is an obligation.

Scofflaw

The Church of England has declared organ donation to be a Christian duty, in keeping with giving oneself and one's possessions freely.

Body parts should not be mistaken for the person themselves, and the best way to treat them reverently is to use them to heal others, the Church said.

I can certainly see the logic in that position. If the mortal body is only a vessel for the immortal soul, then at death it is no further use to the soul, and if it can supply the needs of others, it should surely do so.

cordially,
Scofflaw

Hivemind187

I dont see why there should be a religious imperative to do something useful with the spare parts you leave behnd.

Mind you I believe that the donor card should be "opt out" rather than "opt in".

SameDifference

^^ Cosign. Thats a good idea...

Asiaprod

Scofflaw wrote:

I can certainly see the logic in that position. If the mortal body is only a vessel for the immortal soul, then at death it is no further use to the soul, and if it can supply the needs of others, it should surely do so.

I would agree, it is logical conclusion. My problem would be with being told "it is an obligation." Properly educated, one would see it as indeed the logical biological choice, and would not need to be told it is an obligation.
Does this make sense?

Hagar

"This is my body, eat it in rememberance of me".
If that's not an endorsement of organ donation...

JimiTime

Scofflaw wrote:

I can certainly see the logic in that position. If the mortal body is only a vessel for the immortal soul, then at death it is no further use to the soul, and if it can supply the needs of others, it should surely do so.

cordially,
Scofflaw

Firstly I don't believe in the immortal soul. Anyway, I think you make a logical point. Rather than have it wither in the ground, your kidney, for example, could help save someones life. My issue with the obligation side of things is a) It should be ones own choice.
b) if it was obligatory, my lack of faith in this world, would have me very concerned about future repecussions, I.E. Corruption, greed etc. Poor folk being bumped off so that an ailing rich guy can get a new organ at a big price etc. It might seem a little far fetched, but I'd have to be convinced otherwise.

Defo more of an opt in than opt out person at this moment in time.

PDN

I would be happy to donate my body to science. Those poor students need some comic relief during their otherwise boring studies.