AME & AME Zion
AME & AME Zion Organ and tissue donation is viewed as an act of neighborly love and charity by these denominations. They encourage all members to support donation as a way of helping others.
Top
Amish
Amish will consent to transplantation if they know that it is for the health and welfare of the recipient. They would be reluctant to donate their organs if the outcome was known to be questionable; however, nothing in the Amish understanding of the Bible forbids them from using modern medical services.
Top
Baptists
Baptists believe that organ and tissue donation is advocated as an act of charity. 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.
Top
Buddhists
Buddhists believe that organ and tissue donation is a
matter of individual conscience.
Top
Catholics
Catholics view organ donation as an act of charity, fraternal love and self sacrifice. Transplants are ethically and morally acceptable to the Vatican.
Top
The Church of Christ Scientist
The Church of Christ Scientist takes no specific position on transplants or organ donation as distinct from other medical or surgical procedures. Church members usually rely on spiritual rather than medical means of healing. They are free to choose the form of medical treatment they desire, including organ transplantation. The decision of organ donation is left to the individual.
Top
Hindu
Hindus are not prohibited by religious law from donating;
it is considered an individual decision.
Top
Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses do not encourage organ donation, but believe it is a matter for individual conscience according to the Watch Tower and Tract Society, the legal corporation for the religion. The group does not oppose donating or receiving organs, however, all organs and tissue must be completely drained of blood before transplantation.
Top
Judaism
Judaism teaches that saving a human life takes precedence over maintaining the sanctity of the human body.
Top
Latter-Day Saints (Mormons)
Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) are not prohibited by religious law from donating their organs or receiving transplants, according to church leaders. The decision is a personal one.
Top
Mennonites
Mennonites have no prohibition against organ donation and transplantation in the Mennonite faith. Church officials state such decisions are individual ones.
Top
The Moslem Religious Council
The Moslem Religious Council initially rejected organ donation by followers of Islam in 1983, but it has since reversed its position provided that donors consent in writing in advance. The organs and tissues of Moslem donors must be transplanted immediately and not be stored in organ banks.
Top
Protestants
Protestantism also encourages and endorses organ donation. Protestants respect the individual's conscience and a person's right to make decisions regarding his or her own body.
Top
Quakers
Quakers do not oppose organ donation and transplantation. The decision, they say, is an individual one.
Top
Seventh-Day Adventists
Seventh-Day Adventists officials have stated organ donation and transplantation to be acceptable practices for members. The decision is an individual one.
Top
Information provided by the American Council on Transplantation.
|
