英文摘要 |
"As the percentage of seniors in Chinese societies rises ever higher, and medical technology is also able to preserve life for longer periods, Chinese Christians who suffer from terminal illnesses may need to re-think the sacredness and necessity of prolonging painful life. Those theologies which oppose euthanasia can only rely on indirect Biblical verses, those that can be more flexibly interpreted, because there are only six verses in the Bible which directly deal with suicide by euthanasia, and none of them clearly condemn suicide. However, those theologies that approve euthanasia are only able to appeal to indirect verses or interpretive traditions regarding statements such as“love your neighbor as yourself,”“give your life for others,”and“martyrs.”When the Bible does not hold aclear ethical position on euthanasia, Chinese churches should rely on compassion and rationality in showing tolerance towards Chinese Christians facing terminal illness and their choices of various legal methods of euthanasia." |