Euthanasia and assisted suicide: a Christian ethical perspective

Abstract

This article introduces and compares the contrasting views of two well-known theologians, Gilbert Meilaender and Harry Kuitert, on euthanasia and medically assisted suicide. Meilaender rejects euthanasia and medically assisted suicide, but accepts refusal of treatment, as long as it is not done with the intention to cause the death of the person involved. Kuitert favours euthanasia and medically assisted suicide, as well as the cessation of treatment with the intention to cause the death of the person involved in certain hopeless cases. The last section of the article attempts to formulate a Christian ethical view on euthanasia and assisted suicide in a dialogue with the two theologians.


(Acta Theologica, Supplementum 3, 2002: 35-65)