Religion and Organ Donation
National Donor Sabbath Weekend takes place every November. Congregations and houses of worship across the nation join together to recognize the life-saving benefits of Organ and Tissue donation. For more information on Donor Sabbath, contact NORS at 402-733-1800.
The following is a sample list of religions and their views on Organ and tissue donation.
AME & AME Zion
Donation is viewed as an act of neighborly love and charity. They encourage all members to support donation as a way of helping others.
Amish
Approved if there is a definite indication that the health of the recipient would improve, but reluctant if the outcome is questionable.
Assembly of God
Donation is highly supported.
Baptist
In 1988, the Southern Baptist Convention passed a resolution supporting donation as a way to alleviate suffering and have compassion for the needs of others. Donation is advocated as an act of charity.
Buddhism
Donation is a matter of individual conscience and high value is placed on acts of compassion. Organ donation is a gift to help humanity and as such, benefits the donor's karma. The importance of letting loved ones know your wishes is stressed.
Christian Scientist
Christian Scientists normally rely on spiritual means of healing instead of medical. They are free, however, to choose whatever form of medical treatment they desire, including a transplant. The question of donation is left to the individual church member.
Episcopal
In 1982, a resolution was passed that recognizes the life-giving benefits of blood, organ and tissue donation. All Episcopalians are encouraged to become donors.
Greek Orthodox Church
Donation is supported as a way to better human life through transplantation or research, leading to improvements in the treatment and prevention of disease.
Hinduism
According to H.L. Trivedi in Transplantation Proceedings, "There is nothing in the Hindu religion indicating that parts of humans cannot be used to alleviate the suffering of other humans."
Independent Conservative Evangelical
In general, Evangelicals have no opposition to donation. Each church is autonomous and leaves the decision to donate up to the individual.
Islam
The principle of saving lives is of utmost importance. According to A. Sachedina in Transplantation Proceedings, "The majority of the Muslim scholars belonging to various schools of Islamic law have invoked the principle of priority of saving human life and have permitted the organ transplant as a necessity to procure that noble end."
Jehovah's Witness
According to the Watch Tower Society, donation is a matter of individual decision. Members are often assumed to be against donation because of their opposition to blood transfusions. However, this means only that all blood must be removed from the organs and tissues before being transplanted.
Judaism
All four branches of Judaism support and encourage donation. Numerous resolutions have been passed encouraging donation. According to Orthodox Rabbi Moses Tendler, "If one is in the position to donate an organ to save another's life, it's obligatory to do so, even if the donor never knows who the beneficiary will be. The basic principle of Jewish ethics, 'the infinite worth of the human being,' also includes donation of corneas, since eyesight restoration is considered a lifesaving operation."
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ECLA)
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in American passed a resolution in 1984 stating that donation contributes to the well being of humanity and can be "an expression of love for a neighbor in need."
Mennonite
Mennonites have no formal position on donation, but are not opposed to it. They believe the decision to donate is up to the individual and/or their family.
United Methodist
A 1984 policy statement notes that the church "recognizes the life-giving benefits of organ and tissue donation, and thereby encourages all Christians to become organ and tissue donors…as part of their ministry to others in the name of Christ, who gave His life that we might have life in its fullness."
Mormon
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) believes that the decision to donate is an individual one made in conjunction with family, medical personnel, and prayer. They do not oppose donation.
Pentecostal
Pentecostals believe that the decision to donate should be left up to the individual.
Presbyterian
Presbyterians encourage and support donation. They respect a person's right to make decisions regarding his or her own body.
Quakers (Society of Friends)
Organ and tissue donation is believed to be an individual decision. The Society of Friends does not have an individual position on donation.
Roman Catholic Church
Donation is viewed as an act of charity and love. Transplants are morally and ethically acceptable to the Vatican.
Seventh-Day Adventist
Donation and transplantation are strongly encouraged. Many transplant hospitals are Seventh-Day Adventist.
Unitarian Universalist
Donation is widely supported and viewed as an act of love and giving.
United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ supports and encourages donation.