Hello Stefan, this is a very good question. I believe that God gives men medical knowledge about healing the human body. Therefore, I do not think that one can separate them. I have never known a person with the gift of mercy to be a murderer. Exodus 20:13 states, "Thou shalt not kill." So how can one justify mercy killing which is what some call euthanasia or PAS. The saint of God can have the gift of mercy, but this gift does not involve killing an individual. According to the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:8, he says, "Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness." Paul here is talking about the ability that God has giving individuals to do certain things well. The gift of mercy is the ability to deeply empathize and engage in compassionate acts on behalf of people who are suffering physical, mental, or emotional distress. Those with this gift manifest concern and kindness to people who are often overlooked. People with the gift of mercy do not seek the death of an individual. David in 2 Samuel 9:3 believed that he must show the kindness of God to Saul's household and not kill his family, although Saul wanted to kill him. God in showing mercy to us many times blocks justice although the person deserves to be punish because the person has a new outlook or the person has accepted God's plan of salvation for the world. When God said to Jonah to go to Nineveh and prophesy to them that he was going to destroy them for their wickedness. God really intended to destroy Nineveh. When Jonah delivered the message, the King's heart was broken. He ordered all the citizens of Nineveh to fast and repent of the evils in their heart. The people and the animals fasted. God was touched, this action evoked the mercy of God, justice was not given to the city, but mercy. God forgave Nineveh and allowed them to live on. Jesus used a salve once to cure a man who was blind. He took his saliva and mixed it with dirt. He put the dirt on the man's eyes and told him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. The man obeyed and he received his sight. Medicine and miraculous healings by God goes together. They should not be separated. I would rather have a Christian for a doctor then one who is unsure of his spiritual destiny and does not care about mines. God Bless You!

Dear colleague,

Thank you for your insightful answer.

Regards

Stefan

however, we euthanaze our old dogs, and we think we are doing this to shorten their suffering.

Daniela a person who is created in God's image is not a dog.

What do you think about the Liverpool method used in Finland. If a patient has stated that he/she does not want life-sustaining measures, ventilator and the like, the ward interprets this as withdrawal of food and water and within a week the patient is dead. I find it horrible.

As regards religion I do not dare to die without God.

I am convinced that the euthanasia debate has been since long separated from religion. Religion does not have inappropriate views, but it applies its own ethical criteria to this delicate problem. And euthanasia has never ceased to be an ethical problem.

You shall not kill.