Organ Donation: Morally Praiseworthy, But Not Religiously Acceptable?

It is generally accepted that organ donation is a morally praiseworthy thing to do. If I can check yes on a little box at the DMV, and then save a life or two after I’m a goner; why wouldn’t I? What is more, some choose to donate spare organs, such as the kidney when they are still alive, either for friends or relatives or even for anonymous strangers. Surprisingly, however, several religious groups either restrict or forbid organ donation.

Among believers of Shinto, the dead body is a thing impure in itself, so to take organs from a dead body and transplant them to a living one would be to defile what is innately holy.

The Romani people likewise do not practice organ donation, as they believe that the soul maintains a physical self for at least a year after death.

Jehovah’s Witnesses allow organ donation, but only when the organ can be completely drained of blood before transplantation, as they believe that life is in the blood, and only God may give life.

The Amish, curiously, permit organ donation in cases where there is an overwhelming probability that such will save or improve the life of the recipient, but not in cases where the outcome is uncertain.

Christians at large may not share the concerns of these faith groups, but often find themselves divided over the issue of organ donation. More Here…
Take from www.revelife.com