Playing God: 50 Religions Views on Your Right to Die - Hardcover

Larue, Gerald A.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1559211679 ISBN 13: 9781559211673

Publisher: Moyer Bell Ltd, 1996

Synopsis

This nondogmatic study of religious attitudes toward euthanasia offers readers a voice of reason--a spiritual resource guide to help them take their own informed moral stand. Dr. Larue has investigated religions from around the world about their attitudes toward the "right to die" to prepare this controversial and intriguing book.

About this title

From Publishers Weekly:

The issue of "good death," or euthanasia, is a social one that will not likely go away in our lifetime. Here, Hemlock Society president emeritus Larue compiles the thinking of more than 50 of the world's religions on this subject. He first illuminates modern dilemmas over how to determine the definition of death; probes the moral positions of the sanctity-of-life camp; and basically debunks the "slippery slope" arguments. He then proceeds to catalogue and interpret ancient writings, as well as contemporary thought, on euthanasia from an astonishing array of sources. Regrettably, his treatment of the various belief systems is uneven. While some venerable traditions such as Hinduism don't fair so well in Larue's hands, American mainline paths are represented with depth, and many of our narrowly casted sects are addressed in detail. Despite his obvious biases, however, Larue has crafted a readable, thoughtful work for physicians and spiritual leaders.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist:

Larue, a founding member of the Hemlock Society, has assembled--largely without comment--selections from religious perspectives on euthanasia and the right to die. Some of the material collected here has "official" status, but some is taken from individual responses to a questionnaire prepared by the author. Readers unfamiliar with varieties of church polity may find it difficult to assess the status of the various statements, but the range of opinions should prove helpful in any case. Appendixes include Washington's Initiative 119, Oregon's Measure 16, and a number of other important right-to-die documents from the U.S. and Europe. Steve Schroeder

About this edition

• Publisher: Moyer Bell Ltd
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 1559211679
• ISBN 13: 9781559211673
• Binding: Hardcover