Clerical, ethical, and moral leaders of our country support organ and tissue donation and transplantation. In fact, the national Episcopal, Lutheran, and Presbyterian Churches have passed resolutions encouraging their members, as part of their Christian ministry, to become donors upon their death. During the past decade, families of many different religious groups, including Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Moslems, and Jehovah’s Witnesses, have given the Gift of Life.

The following information explains the beliefs a variety of religious sects have regarding donation. (Provided by the American Council on Transplantation and Religious Aspects of medical Care.)

Amish
The Amish consent to transplantation if they know it is for the health and welfare of the transplant recipient. They are reluctant to donate their organs if the transplant outcome is questionable.

Assemblies of God
No position.

Baptist
Encouraged.

Buddhist Churches of America
The objective of Buddhism is to attain Enlightenment. If life can be prolonged toward the achievement of this end, any treatment is justified. If the patient is beyond recovery and can no longer strive toward Enlightenment, conditions may permit euthanasia. Accepting parts of the body to enhance the opportunity toward achieving Enlightenment may be an act of mercy. The nature of the disposition of the body, which is but a shell consisting of the elements, poses no major problem to Buddhists.

Catholicism
Catholics view organ donation as an act of charity, fraternal love, and self-sacrifice. Transplants are ethically and morally acceptable to the Vatican. Pope John Paul II has expressed considerable concern about donors’ psychological and physical integrity, but he has not taken any position against organ transplantation.

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
This is an individual decision.

Christian and Missionary Alliance Church
Acceptable, no restrictions.

Christian Reformed (Reformed Church in America)
The church urges its members to support the Anatomical Gift Act so that at the time of death the body may be used for medical purposes that would enhance the life of another person.

The Church of Christ Scientist
Christian Scientists do not take a specific position on transplants or organ donation. Christian Scientists normally rely on spiritual, rather than medical means for healing. The question of organ donation is left to the individual church member.

Church of the Brethren
Acceptable, no restrictions. A number of pastors have been encouraging donation as a contribution to the health and welfare of others.

Church of Christ (Christian)
No teachings, personal opinion.

Church of the Nazarene
As long as life remains in the body, that body is sacred and should be treated with honor and care.

Evangelical Covenant Church of America
No official position.

Episcopal Church
No theological objection except that the ultimate disposal of these parts should be done reverently. Use of parts (eye, kidneys, etc.) for use in living persons is without objection – the consent of the donor before death or responsible relatives afterwards would be needed.

Evangelical and Reformed
This is left to the decision of the individual donor. There is no religious contraindication
to donation.

Evangelical United Brethren
Donation of one’s body or parts of one’s body at death is encouraged. There is no theological barrier to such procedures and humanitarian values are significant.

Greek Orthodox Church
A decision to donate one’s entire body for medical experimentation or research is not consistent with traditional Orthodox practices and beliefs.

Gypsies
Gypsies, on the whole, are against organ donation. Although they have no formal resolution, their opposition is associated with their belief about their afterlife. Gypsies believe that for one year after a person dies, the soul retraces its steps. All of the body parts must be intact because the soul maintains a physical shape.

Hinduism
Hindus are not prohibited by religious law from donating their organs, according to the Hindu Temple Society of North America. This act is an individual decision.

Islam
In 1983, the Moslem Religious Council initially rejected organ donation by followers of Islam, but it has reversed its position, provided donors consent in writing prior to their death. The organs of Moslem doors must be transplanted immediately and should not be stored in organ banks.

Jehovah’s Witnesses
According to the Watch Tower Society, the legal corporation for the religion, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not encourage organ donation, but believe it is a matter best left to an individual’s conscience. All organs and tissue, however, must be completely drained of blood before transplantation.

Judaism
Judaism teaches that saving a human life takes precedence over maintaining the sanctity of the human body. A direct transplant is preferred. According to Moses Tendler, Ph.D., an orthodox rabbi, “If one is in the position to donate an organ to save another’s life, it’s obligatory to do so, even if the donor never knows who the beneficiary will be."

Lutheran Church/Missouri Synod
No official church position. The individual is free to make his own decision.

American Lutheran Church
Encouraged but not considered to be a “Christian duty.”

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Acceptable, no restrictions.

Mormons
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints considers the decision to donate organs to be an individual decision. Jerry Cahill, director of Public Affairs for the Mormon Church, says, “Mormons must individually weigh the advantages and disadvantages of transplantation and choose the one that will bring them peace and comfort. The Church does not interpose any objection to an individual decision in favor of organ and tissue donation.”

Protestantism
Protestants encourage and endorse organ donation. The Protestant faith respects an individual’s conscience and a person’s right to make decisions regarding his or her own body. Rev. James W. Rassbach of the Board of Communication Services, Missouri Synod, says, “We accept and believe that our Lord Jesus Christ came to give life and came to give it in abundance. Organ donations enable more abundant life, alleviate pain and suffering, and are an expression of love in time of tragedy.”

Quaker Religious Society (Friends)
Acceptable, no restrictions, an individual decision.

Reformed Church in America
The church urges its members to support the Anatomical Gift act so that at the time of death, the body may be used for medical purposes that would enhance the life of another person.

Salvation Army
Acceptable, no restrictions.

Seventh-Day Adventists
Acceptable.

Unitarian Universalist
Acceptable.

United Church of Christ (Congregational)
This is left to the decision of the individual donor. There is no religious contraindication to donation.

United Methodist Church
Donation of one’s body or parts of one’s body at death is encouraged. There is no theological barrier to such procedures and the humanitarian values are significant.

United Presbyterian Church
No official position.