RELIGIOUS VIEWS ON DONATION
AME & AME Zion
Donation is viewed as an act of neighborly love and charity by these denominations. They encourage all members to support donation as a way of helping others.
Amish
Approved if there is a definite indication that the health of the recipient would improve, but reluctant if the outcome is questionable.
Assembly of God
All should seek God’s will for their choices in this matter. It should be discussed fully with one’s entire family.
Baptist
In 1988, the Southern Baptist Convention passed a resolution supporting donation as a way to alleviate suffering and have compassion for the needs of others. Donation is advocated as an act of charity.
Buddhism
Organ and tissue donation is a matter of individual conscience, and a high value is placed on acts of compassion.
Catholicism
Donation is viewed as an act of charity and love. Transplants are morally and ethically acceptable to the Vatican.
Christian Scientist
The question of donation is left to the individual church member.
Episcopal
All Episcopalians are encouraged to seriously consider the opportunity to donate organs after death that others may live.
Greek Orthodox
Donation is supported as a way to better human life through transplantation or research.
Hinduism
There is nothing in the Hindu religion indicating that parts of humans cannot be used to alleviate the suffering of other humans.
Independent Conservative Evangelical
In general, Evangelicals have no opposition to donation. Each church is autonomous and leaves the decision to donate up to the individual.
Islam
Donation is not only permitted but encouraged.
Jehovah’s Witness
Donation is a matter of individual decision.
Judaism
All four branches of Judaism support and encourage donation.
Lutheran
The Lutheran Church in America passed a resolution in 1984 stating that donation contributes to the well-being of humanity.
Mennonite
They believe the decision to donate is up to the individual and/or their family.
Mormon
In 2007 the Church of Latter Day Saints issued a statement on donation, which read in part: “The donation of organs and tissue is a selfless act that often results in great benefit to individuals with medical conditions.”
Pentecostal
Pentecostals believe that the decision to donate should be left to the individual.
Presbyterian
Presbyterians encourage and support donation.
Quakers
Organ and tissue donation is believed to be an individual decision.
Seventh Day Adventist
The church does not have an official statement on organ donation.
Unitarian Universalist
Donation is widely supported and viewed as an act of love and giving.
United Methodist
A 1984 policy statement notes that the church “recognizes the life-giving benefits of organ and tissue donation, and thereby encourages all Christians to become organ and tissue donors.”
Donation is viewed as an act of neighborly love and charity by these denominations. They encourage all members to support donation as a way of helping others.
Amish
Approved if there is a definite indication that the health of the recipient would improve, but reluctant if the outcome is questionable.
Assembly of God
All should seek God’s will for their choices in this matter. It should be discussed fully with one’s entire family.
Baptist
In 1988, the Southern Baptist Convention passed a resolution supporting donation as a way to alleviate suffering and have compassion for the needs of others. Donation is advocated as an act of charity.
Buddhism
Organ and tissue donation is a matter of individual conscience, and a high value is placed on acts of compassion.
Catholicism
Donation is viewed as an act of charity and love. Transplants are morally and ethically acceptable to the Vatican.
Christian Scientist
The question of donation is left to the individual church member.
Episcopal
All Episcopalians are encouraged to seriously consider the opportunity to donate organs after death that others may live.
Greek Orthodox
Donation is supported as a way to better human life through transplantation or research.
Hinduism
There is nothing in the Hindu religion indicating that parts of humans cannot be used to alleviate the suffering of other humans.
Independent Conservative Evangelical
In general, Evangelicals have no opposition to donation. Each church is autonomous and leaves the decision to donate up to the individual.
Islam
Donation is not only permitted but encouraged.
Jehovah’s Witness
Donation is a matter of individual decision.
Judaism
All four branches of Judaism support and encourage donation.
Lutheran
The Lutheran Church in America passed a resolution in 1984 stating that donation contributes to the well-being of humanity.
Mennonite
They believe the decision to donate is up to the individual and/or their family.
Mormon
In 2007 the Church of Latter Day Saints issued a statement on donation, which read in part: “The donation of organs and tissue is a selfless act that often results in great benefit to individuals with medical conditions.”
Pentecostal
Pentecostals believe that the decision to donate should be left to the individual.
Presbyterian
Presbyterians encourage and support donation.
Quakers
Organ and tissue donation is believed to be an individual decision.
Seventh Day Adventist
The church does not have an official statement on organ donation.
Unitarian Universalist
Donation is widely supported and viewed as an act of love and giving.
United Methodist
A 1984 policy statement notes that the church “recognizes the life-giving benefits of organ and tissue donation, and thereby encourages all Christians to become organ and tissue donors.”
