Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda in his book What Buddhists Believe, says,
"According to Buddhism mercy killing cannot be justified..." (Page 372).
He asks the valid question...
"...if mercy killing is the correct method to be practiced on pets and other animals, then why are people so reluctant to do the same to their beloved ones?"
Mercy killing, or as some use the term, "euthanasia," is when, for example, due to terminal illness or irreparable injury of an animal or human being, the said creature is put to sleep (vet's terminology); shot (a horse perhaps), or given lethal injection (perhaps for a person suffering great pain from cancer or war wound). This is to put them all "out of their misery."
Most followers of Jesus Christ differentiate between the animal kingdom (broad term including the birds and aquatic creatures) and human beings. They do not do this arbitrarily either. To substantiate, turn to Scripture; the Word of God of our loving Heavenly Father.
In an article I found online by a Dr. Werner Gitt writing about the "Difference Between Human Life and Animal Life", Gitt states eight major reasons. (You can read his whole article by clicking on the link provided.)
In essence, Gitt explains from Genesis 1:27 that mankind was created in the image of God. It was only man (Adam), that got the 'kick start' so to speak, by receiving the "breath of God" breathed directly into his nostrils (Genesis 2:7; Ecclesiastes 12:7; 1 Thessalonians 5;23). We consist of spirit, soul and body and upon death the "spirit returns to God who gave it." That is not mentioned in regards to any of the animal kingdom.
The next point given is of great interest, and pleases me as I had never taken note of it before. It is "only with man did God use His hands" (Genesis 2:7) to create any of His creation. Apparently, so Gitt notated, the Hebrew word used connotates "actions of a potter" in how God used His hands to form man.
Man can communicate with God (in prayer, for example). Yes many times on YouTube you'll see people who have supposedly taught their dogs to pray before eating. It's the pet owner, however, I've actually heard voicing the prayer. The dogs were only in a posture of prayer.
Animals do things by what they've been taught but left to themselves, more largely, act according to their own instinct. Where I sat writing the original rough draft of this blog entry, I saw a squirrel running hither and thither, to and fro the bird feeder gathering seeds and suet for its winter store. That is instinct.
Yes, we even see orangutans who have learned to paint and have a repertoire of signs to converse with human beings in sign language. That is truly amazing. However, left to their jungle habitat you'll see quite different behavior; its natural instincts will kick in and the alpha male will show who's boss.
Granted human beings often act thus and worse than animals at times. On the other hand, human beings have made multitudinous and amazing inventions; strides in medicine; painted wondrous works of art; etc, etc. Yet mankind has "free will" (another whole subject) and "faculty of creative thought" (Psalm 8:5) showing distinctive creational category from the animal kingdom.
The sixth point is that clincher for me. Read 1 Corinthians 15:39 (ESV)...
"For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish."
Genesis 1:25 collaborates that: animals (& birds, fish, creeping things) are different from human kind. Human kind was designated to have...
"...dominion over the fish...birds...livestock...earth...every creeping thing..." (Genesis 1:26).
This gives answer to why human folks are (and should be) reluctant to put their loved ones out of their misery. It's God's call to give and take the breath of life.
Of course this does not give free license to simply kill animals for pleasure, or because we just don't want our pets anymore. God did give animals for food post-Flood days. He told Noah in Genesis 9:3 (ESV)...
"Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you green plans, I now give you everything."
See also Genesis 1:29 for contrast...responsible stewardship (another topic in itself).
Dr. Gitt continues with the seventh point giving reference to Colossians 1:16 that states that creation by God was "created by God and for God." [emphasis mine]. I believe it. Yet in John 1:12 we see Jesus came for the benefit of people and that only people can be called "children of God". Thus an obvious pointed disassociative variance.
Gitt's final point is that "man is an eternal being". He gives reference to the story of the rich man and Lazarus and their ongoing existence after departure from Earth (Luke 16:19-30).
The other reference given is 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 49. When a person's body dies, it generally gets buried in the ground or cremated and its ashes either preserved in an urn or scattered to the winds. That's that for our present earthly body. However, there comes a day when those destined to be with Christ forever (those saved by faith and grace) will gain an imperishable body; it's going to last forever!
Human beings will not "cease to exist" upon reaching a utopia of self-attained righteousness. Please be informed. There is everlasting living to enjoy in Heaven or everlasting death to endure in Hell. With Christ in Heaven will be joy evermore. Without Christ in Hell, will be eternal suffering and torment that one cannot ever get out of.
Buddhist hell is one that they can get in and out of after serving their time. But then their mental continuum inhabits what, through Buddhist rebirth? A dog, an elephant, a cockroach? A human being, again? Then to start the cycle all over again and again unless of course they've reached Nirvana. Is there hope in that?
This is a solemn question of destiny to contemplate. Consider your investigation well. This is far different than the end of an animal.
So, NO, mercy killing is NOT for humankind. To make yourself or another's life "go away" is NOT a kindness in any way, shape or form. Yet some may argue, but the person is a follower of Jesus Christ, they would have a glorious beginning with no more pain, tears or suffering if you helped them on their way.
Yes, I can understand not wanting to prolong suffering, especially that which is excruciating in body and/or mind. Consider life on the 'other side'. Couple that with it being God's prerogative to,
"...to put to death and...to bring to life" (Deuteronomy 32:39; 1 Samuel 2:6; Genesis 9:6).
Other articles that may be of help in understanding this are as follows:
Christian Life Resources has a number of answers to a variety of aspects on this topic.
Animal Pet Euthanasia
Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda concludes
"As Buddhists, all that we can do is to help to reduce the pain of suffering in others" (Page 373).
I agree with this statement in regards to both beast and human being. Nevertheless, to put down an animal is a mercy to said animal in pain and sickness as they do not need to think about an eternal destination. Six feet under, and that's it. On the contrary, it is a mercy to keep the human being alive despite the pain and anguish of earthly physical or mental state, and let God be the judge and accountant of the number of an individual's life on earth.
Do I say all this too glibly?
Let me conclude with the example of my mother. Currently she is living out the end of her days. As I wrote the rough draft of this Burning Quest - Part 50, she had lived some ninety days, sixty of those days past her diagnosis "death sentence" date the human doctor had given her. She has acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
The doc's emphasis was on ONE month although he said possibly 1-4 to live. To this day, as I type on my laptop, she is still with us, more than a year later. She's still breathing although it's now getting very difficult to do so. She gasps for breath at mere activity I'm told. Morphine and oxygen have been her companions for breathing assistance.
This "reduces her suffering" but we cannot "pull the plug".
Is it pleasant to have to gasp for breath? Is it pleasant to helplessly watch?
No, it certainly is NOT!!
We can and do pray that she'll have the perseverance and peace needed to endure to the end. We also pray, appealing to the God of all mercy that she will go peacefully in her sleep; sooner, rather than later now.
She's had a wonderfully productive 15 more months!! She has brought good cheer to many. She's knitted numerous baby hats for orphans. She's written countless notes of thanks and encouragement to send out to others.
Would she be more than happy to leave this earth? You betcha! She looks forward to being with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ but she submits to Him and the number of her days. She's at peace. Her times are in God's hands and she's content. She's at His mercy.
~ERC November 2018~
Praise God...
"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face." Psalm 89:14 (NJKV).
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