Organ/Body Donation & Christianity

[Occams Barber]

Organ/Body Donation & Christianity

• Is there an overall, consistent Christian position on organ donation and/or whole-of-body donation?
  
• How is this agreement (or disagreement?) justified?

• As a Christian, do you personally agree or disagree with organ/body donation?
• Why?

NB: To avoid unnecessary side-tracks, I’m assuming that organ/body donation is based on informed and uncoerced agreement to allow post mortem harvesting.
OB

Mods: This is one of those Where does it belong? threads. It’s not really Apologetics or Theology or Exploring Christianity – or is it? The best fit Forum is probably Christian Ethics & Philosophy but, as an atheist, I can’t go there. Place it where you will – I won’t be offended as long as I can still access the thread.

OB

 

[Not David]

Well, it depends by group but the most consistent reason to be against is the resurrection of the dead.

 

[Paidiske]

I would say there is not overall agreement. I am aware of two major approaches; one says that the integrity of the body post-death should be respected, and organ donation or the like is frowned upon (as is cremation); and this with a view to the resurrection.

The other says that the good that can be accomplished by organ donation - giving another human being health or life or sight, for example - is the higher ethical consideration, and organ donation is encouraged.

By body donation I take it you mean donating a body for use by anatomy students or the like? That is much rarer and I have not seen it given any systematic ethical consideration; although I have seen it given some pastoral consideration in that it often complicates the grieving process for family members of the person whose body it is. (That's almost a side issue but I can say more about that if you're interested).

Personally, I'm listed as an organ donor. I figure if God can give us a new body, where the old body ended up is not likely to cause the Almighty particular problems. And it's not as if a body from which organs have not been removed is preserved unchanging, either...

 

[Occams Barber]

I would say there is not overall agreement. I am aware of two major approaches; one says that the integrity of the body post-death should be respected, and organ donation or the like is frowned upon (as is cremation); and this with a view to the resurrection.

I'm surprised that there is disagreement over what seems such a basic issue, i.e. the necessity (or not) of preserving a body intact as a vehicle for the next life.

By body donation I take it you mean donating a body for use by anatomy students or the like? That is much rarer and I have not seen it given any systematic ethical consideration; although I have seen it given some pastoral consideration in that it often complicates the grieving process for family members of the person whose body it is. (That's almost a side issue but I can say more about that if you're interested).

I'm talking about the whole "giving your body to science thing" where you may end up on a forensic 'body farm' or as student surgery practice or (my ambition in death) the skeleton hanging up in the medical lab.
OB

 

[Paidiske]

You will find, OB, that the skeleton is no longer an option, at least in Australia. Even a body donated to science must (eventually) be returned to the family, once the work done with it is complete.

This is relatively new practice; in the past those bodies (or parts of them) were often preserved and kept indefinitely.

 

[Occams Barber]

You will find, OB, that the skeleton is no longer an option, at least in Australia. Even a body donated to science must (eventually) be returned to the family, once the work done with it is complete.

I sorta knew that but I'm in denial since I've always liked the idea of being the 'skeleton in the corner' . I think modern skeletons are plastic and I've even heard that student practice body parts are also artificial - but I'm not sure.

Forensic body farms are real. I don't think they return the leftovers.
Body farm on Sydney's outskirts overwhelmed by number of donors
OB

 

[Paidiske]

Forensic body farms are real. I don't think they return the leftovers.
Body farm on Sydney's outskirts overwhelmed by number of donors
OB

I didn't know about that; perhaps they don't.

 

[Sketcher]

I personally agree with organ donation. I do not believe that it encroaches upon our eventual resurrection in any way, because most Christians who will be raised will be bones, either because the organs have rotted away, or because they were burned - martyrs have been burned alive. My organs are clearly not needed for a resurrection, but perhaps they can give another person more time in this world.

 

[Occams Barber]

I didn't know about that; perhaps they don't.

I'm considering whether to trade in my Organ Donor Card for a genuine CSI (Assistant) Badge but I need to find out more.
OB

 

[.Mikha'el.]

I'm all for organ donation. If those parts can still function after death, and it's possible to improve and extend life for someone else, I see no reason why it shouldn't happen. To me, being pro-life means respecting preserving the lives of people already here, not just the unborn.

 

[Occams Barber]

I personally agree with organ donation. I do not believe that it encroaches upon our eventual resurrection in any way, because most Christians who will be raised will be bones, either because the organs have rotted away, or because they were burned - martyrs have been burned alive. My organs are clearly not needed for a resurrection, but perhaps they can give another person more time in this world.

Thanks Sketcher.
As you've pointed out it's almost impossible to preserve a body intact until the Resurrection so the idea seems a little illogical.
OB

 

[com7fy8]

I figure if God can give us a new body, where the old body ended up is not likely to cause the Almighty particular problems.

We understand that lions tore Christians apart and possibly ate more or less of their bodies. Plus, Hebrews chapter eleven says certain people of God were sawn asunder. But it seems indeed how God will have no problem giving them their resurrected bodies.

For all I know, they will look torn apart and things like that; after all, the wounds of Jesus can be seen. They in resurrected bodies will not depend on organs to stay alive, I would say; the almighty self-sustaining power of the Holy Spirit will keep us and our bodies alive in His own glory.

 

[Occams Barber]

I'm all for organ donation. If those parts can still function after death, and it's possible to improve and extend life for someone else, I see no reason why it shouldn't happen. To me, being pro-life means respecting preserving the lives of people already here, not just the unborn.

Thanks Mikha'el

I can see individual Christians (or non-Christians) opposing organ donation because of the 'icky' factor but I find it hard to imagine some sort of generic Christian opposition.

Are you aware of any Christian group which opposes organ donation?
OB

 

[Occams Barber]

We understand that lions tore Christians apart and possibly ate more or less of their bodies. Plus, Hebrews chapter eleven says certain people of God were sawn asunder. But it seems indeed how God will have no problem giving them their resurrected bodies.

For all I know, they will look torn apart and things like that; after all, the wounds of Jesus can be seen. They in resurrected bodies will not depend on organs to stay alive, I would say; the almighty self-sustaining power of the Holy Spirit will keep us and our bodies alive in His own glory.

I have no doubt God will have ample supplies of Resurrection Super Glue.
OB

 

[Occams Barber]

Well, it depends by group but the most consistent reason to be against is the resurrection of the dead.

Do you agree with this as a reason to oppose organ donation? I'm not trying to be judgemental here. I'm genuinely curious about what a Christian might see as a valid reason.
OB

 

[Not David]

Do you agree with this as a reason to oppose organ donation? I not trying to be judgemental here. I'm genuinely curious about what a Christian might see as a valid reason.
OB

I'm not sure, I might investigate further.

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

I've never really heard any denomination not agree to it. After all after we die, what are we? Our bodies are just empty vessels. Now in the case of you are in a pretty much deadly accident and someone has to choose to donate your organs while still "alive" or to to try and keep you alive. I'd imagine that just comes down to personal views. You would be helping others who have been waiting on organs. So for one life lost, many will live.

That said I had thought about putting the organ donor thing on my license but decided not to. I want to be kept alive. Though I have stated to my wife and parents that if I am ever in a coma or state where the odds of me coming out of it/back to normal are 0.01%, then pull the plug.

 

[Peter J Barban]

To create an overall consistent approach, we need to gound it in what the Bible reveals of God's heart.

God wants us to have agape love (sacrificial actions which benefit others). God doesn't want us to act selfishly. Therefore:

1. Giving up your body (or body parts) to help another is pleasing to God, just as Christ gave himself on the cross.

2. Giving up your body (or body parts, like selling a kidney) for profit is not pleasing to God. If I give up my body to the flames without love, I am nothing.

3. Creating a non-profit organ donor program is probably OK, but it will eventually go off track and be run by selfish people.

4. Creating a profitable organ donor program is probably not OK, because while more people will benefit from an open market on body parts, the weakest/poorest people will be exploited by the strongest.

ps
There are a lot of parallels between organ donation and charging interest on loans. Interestingly, most modern Christians have decided that anything but the most outrageous of loan-sharking is OK with God.

 

[Occams Barber]

I've never really heard any denomination not agree to it. After all after we die, what are we? Our bodies are just empty vessels. Now in the case of you are in a pretty much deadly accident and someone has to choose to donate your organs while still "alive" or to to try and keep you alive. I'd imagine that just comes down to personal views. You would be helping others who have been waiting on organs. So for one life lost, many will live.

That said I had thought about putting the organ donor thing on my license but decided not to. I want to be kept alive. Though I have stated to my wife and parents that if I am ever in a coma or state where the odds of me coming out of it/back to normal are 0.01%, then pull the plug.

I'm a registered (in Australia) organ donor. My decision to donate has no bearing on whether or not they pull the plug or keep me alive. That would be a separate unrelated decision. I don't know what your home country is but I'd be surprised if it's any different.

Removal of the donated organ happens after I die.
OB

 

[Occams Barber]

To create an overall consistent approach, we need to gound it in what the Bible reveals of God's heart.

God wants us to have agape love (sacrificial actions which benefit others). God doesn't want us to act selfishly. Therefore:

1. Giving up your body (or body parts) to help another is pleasing to God, just as Christ gave himself on the cross.

2. Giving up your body (or body parts, like selling a kidney) for profit is not pleasing to God. If I give up my body to the flames without love, I am nothing.

3. Creating a non-profit organ donor program is probably OK, but it will eventually go off track and be run by selfish people.

4. Creating a profitable organ donor program is probably not OK, because while more people will benefit from an open market on body parts, the weakest/poorest people will be exploited by the strongest.

ps
There are a lot of parallels between organ donation and charging interest on loans. Interestingly, most modern Christians have decided that anything but the most outrageous of loan-sharking is OK with God.

All cultures carry different risks. In Australia the organ donation scheme is managed by the federal government. The risks of it turning into a for-profit scheme are negligible. Blood donation has been running here since 1929. Its still completely voluntary. Red Cross has a monopoly on collecting blood product and donors do not get paid.
OB