Organ Donation

I had the displeasure of meeting many Southern Baptists who would not be organ donors because they think they'll need their bodies in the afterlife. Does your religion subscribe to this ignorant form of selfishness? I'm just curious. This has to be one of the most dominant examples of religious ignorance I've ever encountered. Is this common xian belief, or just Southern Baptists? (They live in their own special form of ignorance, IMO)

I live here in the south around all these Baptists you speak about. And though I dont by into donating organs, its surely not because I need them in the afterlife. For one I believe that God gave us the bodies He did meaning that was it, when they are done they are done. Second I've read so much about the unfairness of the Donor system.

What could it possibly matter, if you're saving someone's life, or giving them sight, or whatever? What do you care who lives and who doesn't, as long as someone, who wouldn't have survived otherwise, survives? Isn't that the ultimate act of unselfishness? Why would any religion prohibit such an act of kindness, especially when you're dead anyway!? See, to me, you're just making excuses for your selfishness.

No I'm not making excuses, am I not entitled to my beliefs? If you wish to call it something else so be it. You asked whether or not it was only the Baptists who had that mindset and I simply commented.

wow... good question Satyr. I thought at the time of resurection people were supposed to have their bodies restored to them? If they are worried about an organ missing, how do they deal with the fact that their entire bodies decompose after they die? Sounds irrational; then again, I've noticed religious people tend to have a problem distinguishing between rational and irrational...

-JAH

give a man an car, and he drive it with care;
then give him an invincible car,(or unlimited supply of cars) and he will care less.

The same, i feel, can be said regarding organs. If Joe Bob, has severe heart diease, would he have not trashed his body so much knowing that he could not get a heart transplant?

Also just the idea of sharing what God has given to me, he has only given me one heart for a reason. And I am to treat it tenderly.
What next, will there be mechancial organs.

Oops, already here.

tracer- How can you dare to pre-assume what god intended? If you can do something that's not selfish and clearly moral (giving life to others) why not do it? It is selfish to deny life to others for the sake of supposed resurrection. You may even be denied that chance because you hoarded your organs!

I am not pre-assuming anything! I stated what I believe and thats all there is to it! And once again I do not believe that God intended for me to have more than the one body and organs He gave me. You wish to believe or feel different that is truly your choice and I respect it!

Don't you think you might have a better chance at redemption if you save a life? You seem to contradict Jesus' teachings. If you really believe in good and sacrifice, there's no way in hell you can deny the good in saving a life. As we all know, your body rots in the ground. This is proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. Can you say "hypocrite"?

I tell you...I love this topic. It shows some xians for what they really are. Fearful and selfish.

[Edited on 10-21-2003 by Satyr]

"What shall we do with your body after you die?"
Throw it to the hogs for all I care. If someone wants to take my organs when I die so be it, once your dead your body is worthless anyway. As for giving whilst I am alive, well if I don't need it sure if I can help someone to live. I don't see God having a problem with that somehow.

And then there is the question of if he doesn't exist? Shouldn't you do all you can to help your fellow man?

BeingWatchedByThem:

What are you talking about? Many, if not most people, who need transplants need them because they got a crappy hand dealt to them, not because they are not treated their bodies like an "invincible car". Grant it some people do crazy things to their bodies, but to make such a blanketed statement shows your inability to look at the big picture and then come up with an answer that makes sense. And have you ever thought, mechanical organs might be a good thing? I mean, since people like you are most likely not willing to save others by giving up an organ that would otherwise rot away, what else have we got!? Seems to me, the science community may have better morals than some Christian folk.

If Jesus was willing to die for us, what's the big deal with giving up an organ (after you've already died) to save a life? I guess learning from Jesus is just something Christians say??? I'm with Satyr in this one all the way.

-JAH

heres a link with a list of religions and their take on organ donations...

RELIGIOUS VIEWS ON ORGAN/TISSUE DONATION AND TRANSPLANTATION


and here is the southern baptist resolution from 1988 regarding organ donation...from another Link

Its 1988 resolution reads in part:

Whereas, complete resurrection of the body does not depend on
bodily wholeness at death and

Whereas, the values of a godless society promote seltesufficiency
to such a degree that people are indifferent to the needs of others,
as seen in resistance to organ donation and

Whereas, organ donation for research or transplantation is a matter
of personal conscience . . .

Be it further RESOLVED, that we encourage voluntarism regarding
organ donation in the spirit of stewardship, compassion for the
needs of others, and alleviating suffering and

Be it further RESOLVED, that we recognize the validity of living
wills and organ donor cards, along with the right of the next of kin
to make decisions regarding organ donation and

Be it finally RESOLVED, that nothing in the resolution be contrued
to condone euthanasia, infanticide, a portion, or harvesting of
fetal tissue for the procurement of organs.

[Edited on 21-10-2003 by Creepy]

So, it's no longer the teaching of the Baptists, yet most still seem to believe they need their bodies in the afterlife? Jesus Christ! How much more ignorant can they get? They don't even follow their own religion anymore. BTW, I've personally met and/or debated this with many of these people. I'm not guessing. This is fact.
Although the church now appears to support organ donation (or just aren't against it) in writing, I've yet to hear of any (American) religion which encourages donors. This is a very taboo subject among many xians. Why in the hell would you need to be resurrected in "Heaven"? That's another thing that just doesn't make sense.

[Edited on 10-21-2003 by Satyr]

Although they now appear to support organ donation (or just aren't against it) in writing, I've yet to hear of any religion which encourages donors.

didnt read it aye?

Be it further RESOLVED, that we encourage voluntarism regarding
organ donation in the spirit of stewardship, compassion for the
needs of others, and alleviating suffering

[Edited on 21-10-2003 by Creepy]

Yes, I read it. The majority of Baptists don't seem to agree with the church, from my experience. That makes them even more hypocritical. You can bet your ass that the Southern Baptist church does not encourage organ donation in their service, or any other public references...besides (apparently meaningless) written statements.

[Edited on 10-21-2003 by Satyr]

if you read it then why would you say

I've yet to hear of any religion which encourages donors.

?

and did you read the link with the list of religions' views?

[Edited on 21-10-2003 by Creepy]

Sorry. I edited my previous post just a second ago. I explained why. You won't see any flyers or speeches encouraging organ donation in a church. It just doesn't happen. It's an empty claim, not supported even by it's members.

umm ok...



[Edited on 21-10-2003 by Creepy]

I'm speaking from personal experience. I lived in the Alabama bible belt for 15 years. I've met a ton of Baptists. There's more than just organ donation that they don't actively encourage. They don't because most of their church members don't believe in it. The fact that they changed their statement in 1988 is probably (no doubt) due to the bad publicity they've received from previous non-support. Now they profess support, but the majority of members still believe it's wrong. We all know that anything can be claimed on paper, and still not mean #. Politicians have shown us that, time and time again. Preachers and politicians are very similar, IMO. They both believe they're telling the truth, but they're both lying sacks of #.

Watch and see how different xians respond to this. Many (not just Baptists) are not organ donors. They're completely against it....until it's their child that needs a transplant to live. They'll gladly take, but they won't give.

[Edited on 10-21-2003 by Satyr]

Here again lays the problems of many an organized religion. Surely, The truly "religious" should know that their body is meaningless once their spirit has left it and headed to the next level.

A truly spiritual person would realize the worthlessness of the physical body after "death". If someone needs an organ give it to them.

I see why you have a problem with a belief in God, Satyr. I don't believe your problem is with God, but with those who claim they know God and then listen to the teachings of others.