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Statements on Organ Donation from different religions AME & Zion AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Organ and tissue 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
The Amish will consent to transplantation if they know that it is for the
health and welfare of the transplant recipient. They would be reluctant to
donate their organs if the transplant outcome was known to be questionable.
John Hostetler, an authority on Amish religion, says in his book Amish
Society, that "the Amish believe that since God created the human body, it
is God who heals; however, nothing in the Amish understanding of the Bible
forbids them from using modern medical services including surgery,
anesthesia, hospitalization, dental work, blood transfusions and
immunization."

Assembly of God
The Church has no official policy regarding donation and leaves the decision
to donate up to the individual. Organ and tissue donation is highly
supported by the denomination.

Baptist
The Church leaves the decision up to the individual and donation is
supported as an act of charity.

Buddhism
Buddhists believe that organ/tissue donation is a matter of individual
conscience and place high value on acts of compassion. The importance of
letting loved ones know your wishes is stressed.

Catholicism
Catholics view organ/tissue donation as an act of charity, love and
self-sacrifice. Organ/tissue donation is morally and ethically acceptable.
Pope John Paul II has stated, "The Catholic Church would promote the fact
that there is a need for organ donors and that Christians should accept this
as a 'challenge to their generosity and fraternal love' so long as ethical
principles are followed."

Christian Science
Christian Scientists normally rely on spiritual means of healing instead of
medical. They are free, however, to choose whatever form of medical
treatment they desire, including transplant.

Episcopal
The Episcopal Church passed a resolution in 1982 that recognizes the
life-giving benefits of organ, blood and tissue donation. All Christians are
encouraged to become donors "as part of their ministry to others in the name
of Christ, who gave his life in its fullness."

Greek Orthodox
The church supports donation as a way to better human life in the form of
transplantation that would lead to improvements in the treatment and
prevention of disease.

Hinduism
Hindus are not prohibited by religious law from donating their tissues and
organs. This act is an individual's decision. According to H.L. Trivedi in
Transplanting Proceedings, "There is nothing in the Hindu religion
indicating that parts of humans could not be used to alleviate the
sufferings of other humans."

Independent Conservative Evangelical
Generally, Evangelicals have no opposition to organ and tissue donation.
Each church is autonomous and leaves the decision to donate to the
individual.

Islam
The religion of Islam strongly believes in the principle of saving human
lives. According to A. Sachedina in Transplant Proceedings. "The majority of
the Muslim scholars belonging to various schools of Islamic law have invoked
the principle of priority of saving human life and have permitted the organ
transplant as a necessity to procure that noble end."

Jehovah's Witness
According to Watch Tower Society, Jehovah's Witnesses believe donation is a
matter of individual decision. Jehovah's Witnesses are often assumed to be
against donation because of their opposition to blood transfusion. However,
this merely means that all blood must be removed from organs and tissues
before being transplanted.

Judaism
All four branches of Judaism support and encourage donation, According to
Orthodox Rabbi Moses Tendler, "If one is in a position to donate an organ to
save another's life, it's obligatory to do so, even if the donor never knows
who the beneficiary will be. The basic principle of Jewish ethics, 'the
infinite worth of human being' also includes donation of corneas, since
eyesight restoration is considered a lifesaving operation."

Lutheran
Lutherans passed a resolution in 1984 stating that donation contributes to
the well being of humanity and can be "an expression of sacrificial love for
a neighbor in need." They call on "members to consider donating and to make
any necessary family and legal arrangements, including the use of a signed
donor card."

Mennonite
There is no prohibition against donation and transplantation in the
Mennonite faith. Church officials state such decisions are individual ones.
Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)
Mormons believe the decision to donate is an individual one made in
conjunction with family, medical personnel and prayer. They do not oppose
donation.

Presbyterian
Presbyterians encourage and support donation. They respect a person's right
to make decisions regarding their own body.

Quakers
Officials for the Quaker faith do not oppose organ donation and
transplantation. The decision, they say, is an individual one.

Seventh-Day Adventist
Donation and transplantation are strongly encouraged. Seventh Day Adventists
have many transplant hospitals, including Loma Linda in California which
specializes in pediatric heart transplants.

Unitarian Universalist
Organ and tissue donation is widely supported by Unitarian Universalists.
They view it as an act of love and selfless giving.

United Methodist
The Church issued a policy stating that the "United Methodist Church
recognizes the life-giving benefits of organ and tissue donation, and
thereby encourages all Christians to become organ and tissue donors' as a
part of their ministry to others in the name of Christ, who gave His life in
its fullness."