Religion and Brain Death

Posted on November 12, 2008
Filed Under Philosophy, Religion, Science |

Over at Respectful Insolence there’s an interesting post on religion and brain death. The discussion is related to a story up at the Guardian. Basically a hospital has asked a judge for permission to stop treating a brain-dead 12 year old cancer patient. His very religious Orthodox Jewish parents want to keep him on life support since his heart is still beating.I tend to agree with those who think the issue is less religion than some parents being in denial. On the other hand people will use religious thinking to justify their denial. And I think there’s something to saying that religion allows people to come up with ad hoc kinds of self-delusional justifications. (I don’t think it necessarily does, mind you)

That said Orac brings up the very valid concern of how treating a lifeless body affects doctors and nurses at the hospital. (Not to mention the unnecessary cost and resources carrying for a dead person in this way takes) Is it fair to force people to care for someone who is dead just because of your religious beliefs? I certainly don’t think so.

Comments

One Response to “Religion and Brain Death”
1 Gerald Smith on November 13th, 2008 6:43 am

I agree, especially if the costs are being passed onto the hospital, etc. The family can find a hospice or someplace that can keep the child “alive” if they wish.

Whatever happened with dying with dignity? I would hope people would remember me as I was when I was healthy, weep some, and then go on with their lives; rather than languish away their lives keeping my lifeless body that cannot support itself still barely functioning.

Eventually, faith says that we must let go and allow God to take the person back to Him.

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