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Junior Member
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Nov 17, 2007, 11:02 AM
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Bible stance on organ donation
What does the Bible say that may pertain to modern-day blood and organ donation? Is there any guidelines/rules as to what to do with a body after death? Is embalming wrong?
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Ultra Member
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Nov 17, 2007, 11:12 AM
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Here's a link you might want to check out with info on various religion's views on organ donation. You should be able to find your specific denomination and see what the "official" position is. The link, however, does not reference what the bible says, perhaps someone else can help you with that.
Organ Donation and Your Religion
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Junior Member
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Nov 17, 2007, 11:19 AM
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Jillian posted a link that helped, but if anyone knows if the Bible actaully says anything relating to organ donation, that info would be appreciated! Thanks a million, guys!
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Uber Member
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Nov 17, 2007, 11:35 AM
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Obviously, since the Bible was written at a time when organ donation / donating blood was impossible, the Bible does not directly address this question. Since the Bible does not specifically say, I believe that a decision of this nature can only be made between a person, their family, and God. A person should prayerfully consider what God would have them to do in regards to donating their organs upon death (James 1:5; Philippians 4:6-7), or donating their blood to help others. If you feel led to donate your organs or give blood, then there is no reason you should not. If you do not feel led to give blood or donate your organs, you should not feel guilty about it and you should not allow yourself to be coerced.
You can read through the following article, written by Bobb Howard, an R.N. who wrote for the Journal of Christian Nursing:
What the Bible Says About Organ Transplants
You can also read through this article on the Catholic Perspective: Organ Donation: A Catholic Perspective - CMQ Nov 98
You can read a Jewish perspective:
Ask the Rabbi FAQ - Organ Donations
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Ultra Member
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Nov 17, 2007, 11:40 AM
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I'm a big supporter of organ donation, and from what I've read, shy is correct; there is nothing specific in the bible to say if you should/should not. I found this on another site, however, which goes along with what shy was saying as well:
"CHRISTIANITY
The Christian faith is based on the relevation of God in the life of Jesus Christ. Throughout his life, Jesus taught people to love one another and he proved his love for the world upon the cross. It is because of this that Christians consider organ donation as a genuine act of love and a way of following Jesus' example. This act of love then becomes part of a faith journey that is motivated by compassion to help someone else and demonstrates a sence of social responsibility."
Religious Views on Organ and Tissue Donation
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Uber Member
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Nov 17, 2007, 11:47 AM
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About embalming - The preparation of bodies for burial, for which the Egyptians had an elaborate procedure. Gen. 50: 2 (concerning Jacob) is the only detailed reference in the Bible to Israelite use of the Egyptian system, although it is probable that Joseph and others were embalmed in this manner (Gen. 50: 26; 2 Chr. 16: 13-14).
Now your state may require the body to be embalmed but if you are against this, for religious reasons, you need to find out if your state will honor your request. The following article in Wikpedia might answer some of your question - Embalming - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - scroll down to "Embalming and Different Religions"
This site - Answers to Tough Questions - will offer you some additional thoughts on embalming - Answers To Tough Questions -What, if any, is the biblical basis for the funeral customs practiced today in North America?
Read this article, posted from a different view point - Embalming--Is It for Christians? - Jehovah's Witnesses Official Web Site
Once you read through all of those, you can make up your own mind. But I would say that the Bible does not rule embalming out and if your state law requires it, then the question is answered.
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Uber Member
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Nov 17, 2007, 12:08 PM
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I go with these two answers in the link that jillean did
JUDAISM
Jews believe that if it is possible to donate an organ to save a life, it is obligatory to do so. Since restoring sight is considered life saving, this includes cornea organ transplantation.
ASSEMBLY OF GOD
The Church has no official policy in regards to organ and tissue donation. The decision to donate is left up to the individual. Donation is highly supported by the denomination.
I can't see God wanting a person to die if there is any thing that can save them.
Except for embryo stem cell I don't think is right though and they say the regular stem cell works way better anyway.
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Junior Member
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Nov 17, 2007, 12:20 PM
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Here are some references to what people did with the dead throughout the Bible.
Genesis 50:2, 3 & 26
50:2-"And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father: and the physicians embalmed Israel"
50:3-"And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days."
50:26"So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt."
2 Chronicles 16:14 "And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothcaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him."
John 19:40 "Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the jews is to bury."
It was not the Jewish custom to embalm, but they used spices to help keep the stench from decomposition down.
The most common way they disposed of bodies throughout the Bible is burial, tomb, cave. The Bible does speak of a few places where people were burnt, but in most instances it was as a death penalty, Saul and his sons were burnt by his enemies, things like that. (Jos. 7:25, 1 Samuel 31:12, 2 Kings 23:30, Amos 6:10)
The Bible does not say any thing that is for or against cremating the body. Usually the people who disagree with cremation disagree because God will resurrect our bodies with our souls. What they aren't considering is that if the body is buried long enough it too will turn to ash. God will not have a problem with resurrecting bodies, even those which have already turned to ash.
Is embalming wrong? I don't think so. People did embalm bodies in Bible times, the Jews didn't. Because the Jews didn't do it doesn't have me think it is wrong. I believe it merely depends on the customs of people.
About blood transfusions...
Of course blood transfusions were unheard of in those times so the Bible does not speak about this.
The Bible does however talk about forbidding the eating of blood. Ge. 9:4, Le. 3:17, Le. 7:26De. 12:16, 1 Samuel 14:34, Acts 15:20 These verses talk about eating meat raw, not draining blood and it is forbidden to eat raw blood.
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Junior Member
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Nov 17, 2007, 05:38 PM
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Thank you all for your help. I really had no idea this was such a common question, usually the things I wonder about are more abstract and I can't find the answer I'm looking for! Guess this was one of those times when an old fashioned Google would've worked!
I really do thank you all for taking the time to answer!! All excellent answers, by the way!!
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