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Introduction

Physician assisted suicide has been a controversial issue addressing, physical, ethical, religious, and psychological, perspectives. It is debated greatly in the medical community and in government. It is viewed as a personal issue to some, while others view it as a legal issue. Regardless of the manner in which one views this issue, it is widely debated and will always create controversy.
While some contend that it is a means of relieving the terminally ill from a painful and undignified death, others believe that it is inhumane and devalues human life.
At present, only governmental laws control physician assisted suicides. It is illegal in all states within the United States with the exception of Oregon. It is being proposed in other states (Hentoff, 2006). Countries such as Belgium, Switzerland, and the Netherlands have legalized it.

The Religious View

Many Christians view physician assisted suicide as ungodly. Suicide is mentioned only three times in the Bible. It is first mentioned when Ahitophel (David’s counselor) requests assistance in ending his life (II Samuel 17:23). King Saul required assistance from a soldier to end his life (I Samuel 31:4). In return, King David has the soldier executed for doing so. The final mention of suicide is in the New Testament, where Judas is remorseful for betraying Jesus and hangs himself due to grief (Matthew 27:3-5).
During the Middle Ages, a person who committed suicide was in contempt of God’s gift to life (Smith, 2006) and was considered to be reprehensible to God and community. In exchange, the person’s body would be dragged through the streets. All of his property would be seized, leaving heirs of that person with nothing as punishment for their loved one’s act.
Christians of today often refer to the fifth commandment that states, “Thou shalt not kill”, which they believe to mean is sinful to kill one-self as well as...