what does YOUR religion say about organ donation?

Question

there was a little boy in my area who just died in a school bus accident. apparently he was brain dead and his family took him off life support and donated his organs. what does your religion say about this?

can you please list your religion so i know where your answer comes from, thanks

Answer 1

My religion doesn't have a dogmatic position about it, but many Pagans and Wiccans I know are also organ donors. I am an organ donor, because to me it's another aspect of "recycling", not to mention helping others. I won't need them when I'm dead, so if they can help someone else live, then that's the best possible thing to do with them.

Answer 2

Religion: Christian

I don't have a definitive answer. I can only deduce from what scripture says about life. God values life tremendously. Its a gift. So wouldn't it be amazing if we could use a tragedy such as death to help others live? I believe that God would love if we did that.

I'm signed up to be an organ donor. I checked every box - they can take anything they want: eyes, skin, organs, EVERYTHING. I'll just have a closed casket or get burned. Your body doesn't matter after you die. Its going to rot anyway.

As for the answerer who mentioned that the Bible is a temple - that is true. Its holy because its a creation of God and even more so when Christ comes to live in us through the Holy Spirit. But when we die, Christians believe they receive new bodies. The Holy Spirit no longer dwells in something that has no life. And if we can give life, we are truly honoring the body as a temple by helping it exist. Its a form of love.

Did you know that its National Donate Life Month? The following are links to become an organ donor (even if you're under 18, you can sign up!). The link I'm giving is Texas only, I believe, but I'm sure you can find similar sites for each state.

Answer 3

Does the Assemblies of God have a position on human organ donation?
The answer to this question is rooted in one’s understanding of the doctrine of resurrection, Article 13, "The Blessed Hope," Statement of Fundamental Truths. The apostle Paul makes it very clear that the mortal bodies we now have cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10). The Bible also makes it clear that to be absent from this body is to be at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-10).

When we go to be with the Lord to await the rapture and resurrection of those left alive until the coming of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:15), our bodies return to dust (Genesis 2:7; 3:19; 1 Corinthians 15:45-50). We have no more need of the fallen mortal bodies we now bear.

Donating our organs may give the gift of life to someone else long after we have gone home to be with the Lord. If the recipient is a Christian, the resource of the organ has the potential to facilitate continued Christian service and the living witness of a fellow believer here on earth. If the recipient is not a Christian, it may allow the individual additional time and opportunity to accept Christ. A fascinating possibility is to imagine the impact if Christian donors were to stipulate that their donated organs be accompanied by a hand—written letter telling of the donor’s life, testimony, and relationship with Christ.

The alternative is to keep our organs even in death. This also is a valid choice for the Christian. This was the practice for all until recent years when transplant procedures have proven viable.

Ultimately, the question comes down to whether or not we view it right for our organs to be candidates for resource.

CONCERNS:

The realization that organ donations save lives and provide for a continuing witness of God’s love and grace does not mean that failure to donate organs would be sinful. All of us should seek God’s will for our choices in this matter. It should be discussed fully with one’s entire family.

Many considering organ donation will have theological concerns and questions. If we donate our organs to others, will that have any effect on our resurrection? But we must also ask, does God need any given molecule or atom from our bodies in order to resurrect us to life? The apostle Paul said, "No." That which is perishable does not inherit the imperishable (1 Corinthians 15:49,50). The resurrection brings a new spiritual body.

Answer 4

Obviously, since the Bible was written at a time when organ donation / donating blood was impossible, the Bible does not directly address this question. Since the Bible does not specifically say, I believe that a decision of this nature can only be made between a person, their family, and God. A person should prayerfully consider what God would have them to do in regards to donating their organs upon death (James 1:5; Philippians 4:6-7), or donating their blood to help others. If you feel led to donate your organs or give blood, then there is no reason you should not. If you do not feel led to give blood or donate your organs, you should not feel guilty about it and you should not allow yourself to be coerced.

Answer 5

I do not practice religion, I practice Christianity (I'm not trying to be smart, just answering the denominational part of your question.). As a non-denominational church we have no problem with organ donation. It is the soul of a person that need preservation; therefore, if a person's organs can help other people live and come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, or help a Christian continue his/her ministry, then I am all for it and I think that the general consensus of the staff here and the congregation would agree with me.

Answer 6

I'm not religious, but my in my personal opinion I would be pretty freaked out about having someone else's body parts inside me. I mean think about it, you've basically become a human chimera, two complete genomes and all. Then again I probably think about it too much.

I guess I'm pretty selfish on the topic of donating my own body. I hate getting scars, let alone losing parts - giving someone a part of me willingly is a bit too much for me to handle to be honest. I'm even like that on blood. Not that I approve of my behaviour.

Answer 7

I'm Roman Catholic.
I think the official church stance is that we are not supposed to donate organs, nor can we be cremated. Church dogma says that when the rapture happens and all those who are dead are russerected, God needs the deceased to be intact, and in original human form.

Answer 8

I'm an atheist, so I have no religion. I've not heard of any religion today that forbids organ donation, although the Jehovah's Witnesses once forbade its members from donating or receiving them.
.

Answer 9

Judaism is against it.

The body must be buried intact. Since burial must be within 24 hours of death it would be difficult to remove organs for donation anyway,

That isn't to say, however, that those who are not observant would not donate.

Answer 10

there is no greater love than giving up your life for someone else.... this little boy's death is very sad... but others can live because of the sacrifice that was made.

I am a Christian and I have total peace that we do not need our 'earthly bodies' once we die... for God makes us whole, without illness or injury.. perfect again once we go to heaven....

the parents will be blessed because part of their son will go on living on this earth and he will be waiting for them whole in heaven