DonateLife Australia - Religion & Donation

[David Adelaide]

Good Afternoon All,

My thread relates to the following Australian Federal Government website: http://www.donatelife.gov.au/discove...ion-a-donation

Yesterday, I was reading an article which asked its readers to consider organ donation, (based on Australia's poor track record). I am not an organ donor (didn't have any intention of becoming one) however, I was interested in reading the the section on Religion & Donation.

To my extreme disappointment every religion known on this planet seems to appear on the list yet to my horror, the Orthodox faith appears to have been represented by: Greek Orthodox Church...

Needless to say, in my disappointment, I wrote in the Enquiries and Feedback section, http://www.donatelife.gov.au/the-authority/contact-us , my disappointment that yet again the Australian Government has failed to accurately recognise the Eastern Orthodox / Orthodox faith as a whole and has labelled all Orthodox people as "Greek".

I understand this does not only affect Macedonian Orthodox believers, however I would like to ask all of you on the forum, to write a brief note of disappointment or protest at the blatant misrepresentation of the Orthodox people on an Australian Federal Government website, trying to encourage Organ Donation and the interpretation of each person's religious faith in regards to the decision.

I was very disappointed however I would appreciate the support of all users on this forum to both provide feedback and spread the word to all non-"Greek" Orthodox believers that yet again we have been mis-represented.

Hopefully, our collective action will see this website change promptly in response,
Thanks,
David

[Risto the Great]

Good idea David.
Though I was pleasantly amused recently when newsreaders had to distinguish between Greek Orthodox and the rest of Orthodoxy due to the calendar differences in celebrating the blessing of the water.

[Brian]

It's an interesting topic you raise, David.
Does anyone know what the Macedonian Orthodox Church's view organ donation is?

[ar_makedon armageddon]

David from Adelaide, you will enjoy the news below as its slightly in reference to your post.

They are true legends AMHRC.


The Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC)
works to protect the Macedonian language and religious identity.

Press Release
June 2009

Many people within the Australian Macedonian community would have experienced some level of insensitivity to Macedonian culture, language or religion at some stage of their lives. The Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) recently became aware of two instances where Macedonian culture, language and religion did not receive the respect and recognition it deserved by several large non-government organisations. The AMHRC felt it would be an injustice to the Macedonian community of Australia if it did not seek rectification of these matters.

In the first instance the AMHRC became aware that the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) had decided to remove the Macedonian Language from its Annual Testing Program for 2009, and for the indefinite future. In short, this decision meant that any translator or interpreter of the Macedonian language in Australia could not participate in NAATI's annual testing program, and therefore could not receive accreditation from NAATI. NAATI is the peak accreditation body for translators and interpreters in Australia. This would have been a major blow for Macedonian translators and interpreters in Australia, not to mention any individual or organisation seeking to utilise the services of these professionals.

Curiously, NAATI made the decision to remove Macedonian from its Testing program whilst electing to keep far less used languages in the program. This fact was not lost on the AMHRC, and considering this fact NAATI's decision to remove Macedonian from its testing program seemed clearly unjustifiable and potentially discriminatory. The AMHRC promptly sought an explanation from NAATI for this decision.

The response from NAATI was less than satisfactory. In its response, NAATI had stated that a lack of resources was responsible for the decision to remove certain languages from its annual testing program. However, NAATI could not satisfactorily explain how or why the decision was made to remove the Macedonian language from its testing program, particularly given the widespread use of the Macedonian language throughout Australia, whilst at the same time including languages of far lesser use in Australia within its program.

The AMHRC decided at this stage that it could not allow this decision to rest. Further correspondence was exchanged between the AMHRC and NAATI, where the AMHRC explained to NAATI the importance of accredited Macedonian translators and interpreters in Australia, and the injustice of including lesser used languages in its program at the expense of the Macedonian language.

We are pleased to announce that NAATI has decided to restore Macedonian in its*** testing program. This was confirmed in official correspondence to the AMHRC from the CEO of NAATI.* This is a very welcome outcome for Macedonian translators and interpreters in Australia, and for the Australian Macedonian community as a whole, as it recognises the importance of the Macedonian language in Australia and allows it the respect that it deserves.

The second instance concerns a lack of respect for the Macedonian Orthodox community and indeed, all other non-Greek Orthodox communities. During the Eastern Orthodox Easter period of April, the television "Seven Network," had run a story in its Nightly News broadcast about the upcoming "Greek Easter". In this story, it had stated that the coming weekend was "Greek Easter", which would be celebrated by all Greeks in Australia and around the world. At no stage did this broadcast state that the upcoming weekend was in fact "Eastern Orthodox Easter", and that Orthodox Easter would be celebrated by many nationalities including Macedonians, Serbians, Russians and many other national groups. Instead, the broadcast had implied that only Greek people were of the Orthodox faith, or conversely that any person celebrating Easter on that weekend was Greek. Essentially, the Seven Network had, rather insensitively, suggested that Eastern Orthodox Easter was in fact Greek Easter, and neglected to mention that many other non-Greek nationalities were of the Orthodox faith, including Macedonians.

The AMHRC, as with many others in the Eastern Orthodox community, were deeply offended by the Seven Network's lack of religious sensitivity in referring to Orthodox Easter as Greek Easter. The AMHRC immediately wrote to the Seven Network to express its dissatisfaction with its news program, and to point out to the producers of the program that Orthodox Easter weekend applies to the entire Eastern Orthodox Christian community, not just a particular national group within the community, and that the Seven Network should be respectful of this fact in its news reports.

The Seven Network has recently responded to the AMHRC's letter, stating, amongst other things, that it will instruct its news production team to consider the AMHRC's comments for future news reports on this topic. In other words, the Seven Network news production team will be made aware that it is incorrect and insensitive to refer to Eastern Orthodox Easter as Greek Easter, and that this should be avoided in future news reports.

These two instances, whilst highlighting the obstacles faced by the Macedonian Community in recognition of its religious, cultural and language identity, also demonstrates the effectiveness that a Macedonian community organisation can have with skilful lobbying of government and non-government organisations. Irrespective of the obstacles put before the Macedonian community in Australia, the AMHRC will continue working to protect the Macedonian community's unique language, culture and religious identity. Members of the wider Macedonian community are encouraged to assist the AMHRC in its activities by joining our Macedonian Minorities Fund, further details of which can be found at www.macedonianhr. org.au.

Founded in 1984, the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) has been working towards achieving human rights for Macedonians and other oppressed minorities. For more information, please visit www.macedonianhr. org.au, or contact AMHRC at +61 3 9460 2910, or mail@macedonianhr. org.au.

--------------------

Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee

PO Box 364
Doncaster VIC 3108
Melbourne, Australia
Tel/Fax: +61 3 9460 2910

https://www.macedonianhr.org.au

[Coolski]

is it true that certain religions only allow you to accept organs of members of the same religion only?

[Bill77]

is it true that certain religions only allow you to accept organs of members of the same religion only?

Not sure,

But i can tell you about Jehovah's Witnesses aren't allowed to receive blood transfusion, let alone organs. Not even if its family.

[Risto the Great]

This seems useful:

http://www.organtransplants.org/understanding/religion/

Religion and Organ and Tissue Donation
If you save one life, it is as though you save the world.
—The Talmud
What follows is an overview of the positions and statements of various religions with regard to organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

AME & AME ZION (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 believe it is for the well being of the transplant recipient. John Hostetler, world-renowned authority on Amish religion and professor of anthropology at Temple University in Philadelphia, says in his book, Amish Society, "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, hospitalization, dental work, anesthesia, blood transfusions or immunization."

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

Baptist
Though Baptists generally believe that organ and tissue donation and transplantation are ultimately matters of personal conscience, the nation's largest protestant denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, adopted a resolution in 1988 encouraging physicians to request organ donation in appropriate circumstances and to "encourage voluntarism regarding organ donations in the spirit of stewardship, compassion for the needs of others and alleviating suffering." Other Baptist groups have supported organ and tissue donation as an act of charity and leave the decision to donate up to the individual.

Bretheren
While no official position has been taken by the Brethren denominations, according to Pastor Mike Smith, there is a consensus among the National Fellowship of Grace Brethren that organ and tissue donation and transplantation is a charitable act so long as it does not impede the life or hasten the death of the donor or does not come from an unborn child.

Buddhism
Buddhists believe that organ and tissue donation is a matter of individual conscience and place high value on acts of compassion. Reverend Gyomay Masao, president and founder of the Buddhist Temple of Chicago says, "We honor those people who donate their bodies and organs to the advancement of medical science and to saving lives." The importance of letting loved ones know your wishes is stressed.

Catholicism
Catholics view organ and tissue donation as an act of charity and love. Transplants are morally and ethically acceptable to the Vatican. According to Father Leroy Wickowski, Director of the Office of Health Affairs of the Archdiocese of Chicago, "We encourage donation as an act of charity. It is something good that can result from tragedy and a way for families to find comfort by helping others." 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 Church (Disciples of Christ)
The Christian Church encourages organ and tissue donation, stating that we were created for God's glory and for sharing God's love. A 1985 resolution, adopted by the General Assembly, encourages "members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to enroll as organ donors and prayerfully support those who have received an organ transplant."

Christian Science
The Church of Christ Scientist does not have a specific position regarding organ donation. According to the First Church of Christ Scientist in Boston, Christian Scientists normally rely on spiritual instead of medical means of healing. They are free, however, to choose whatever form of medical treatment they desire - including a transplant. The question of organ and tissue donation is an individual decision.

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 organ, blood and tissue donors "as part of their ministry to others in the name of Christ, who gave His life that we may have life in its fullness."

Greek Orthodox
According to Reverend Dr. Milton Efthimiou, Director of the Department of Church and Society for the Greek Orthodox Church of North and South America, "the Greek Orthodox Church is not opposed to organ donation as long as the organs and tissue in questions are used to better human life, i.e., for transplantation or for research that will lead to improvements in the treatment and prevention of disease."

Hinduism
According to the Hindu Temple Society of North America, Hindus are not prohibited by religious law from donating their organs. This act is an individual's decision. H. L. Trivedi, in Transplantation Proceedings, stated that, "Hindu mythology has stories in which the parts of the human body are used for the benefit of other humans and society. There is nothing in the Hindu religion indicating that parts of humans, dead or alive, cannot be used to alleviate the suffering 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 up to the individual.

Islam
The religion of Islam believes in the principle of saving human lives. According to A. Sachedina in his Transplantation Proceedings' (1990) article, Islamic Views on Organ Transplantation, "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 Witnesses
According to the Watch Tower Society, Jehovah's Witnesses believe donation is a matter of individual decision. Jehovah's Witnesses are often assumed to be opposed to donation because of their belief against blood transfusion. However, this merely means that all blood must be removed from the organs and tissues before being transplanted.

Judaism
All four branches of Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist) support and encourage donation. According to Orthodox Rabbi Moses Tendler, Chairman of the Biology Department of Yeshiva University in New York City and Chairman of the Bioethics Commission of the Rabbinical Council of America, "If one is in the 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 the human being' - also includes donation of corneas, since eyesight restoration is considered a life-saving operation." In 1991, the Rabbinical Council of America (Orthodox) approved organ donations as permissible, and even required, from brain-dead patients. The Reform movement looks upon the transplant program favorably and Rabbi Richard Address, Director of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations Bio-Ethics Committee and Committee on Older Adults, states that "Judaic Responsa materials provide a positive approach and by and large the North American Reform Jewish community approves of transplantation."

Lutheran
In 1984, the Lutheran Church in America passed a resolution 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 organs and to make any necessary family and legal arrangements, including the use of a signed donor card.

Mennonite
Mennonites have no formal position on donation, but are not opposed to it. They believe the decision to donate is up to the individual and/or his or her family.

Moravian
The Moravian Church has made no statement addressing organ and tissue donation or transplantation. Robert E. Sawyer, President, Provincial Elders Conference, Moravian Church of America, Southern Province, states, "There is nothing in our doctrine or policy that would prevent a Moravian pastor from assisting a family in making a decision to donate or not to donate an organ." It is, therefore, a matter of individual choice.

Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believes that the decision to donate is an individual one made in conjunction with family, medical personnel and prayer. They do not oppose donation.

Pentecostal
Pentecostals believe that the decision to donate should be left up to the individual.

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

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

Shinto
In Shinto, the dead body is considered to be impure and dangerous, and thus quite powerful. "In folk belief context, injuring a dead body is a serious crime . . ." according to E. Namihira in his article, Shinto Concept Concerning the Dead Human Body. "To this day it is difficult to obtain consent from bereaved families for organ donation or dissection for medical education or pathological anatomy . . . the Japanese regard them all in the sense of injuring a dead body." Families are often concerned that they not injure the itai, the relationship between the dead person and the bereaved people.

Society of Friends (Quaker)
Organ and tissue donation is believed to be an individual decision. The Society of Friends does not have an official position on donation.

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

United Church of Christ
Reverend Jay Lintner, Director, Washington Office of the United Church of Christ Office for Church in Society, states, "United Church of Christ people, churches and agencies are extremely and overwhelmingly supportive of organ sharing. The General Synod has never spoken to this issue because, in general, the Synod speaks on more controversial issues, and there is no controversy about organ sharing, just as there is no controversy about blood donation in the denomination. While the General Synod has never spoken about blood donation, blood donation rooms have been set up at several General Synods. Similarly, any organized effort to get the General Synod delegates or individual churches to sign organ donation cards would meet with generally positive responses."

United Methodist
The United Methodist Church issued a policy statement regarding organ and tissue donation. In it, they state 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 by signing and carrying cards or driver's licenses, attesting to their commitment of such organs upon their death, to those in need, as a part of their ministry to others in the name of Christ, who gave his life that we might have life in its fullness." A 1992 resolution states, "Donation is to be encouraged, assuming appropriate safeguards against hastening death and determination of death by reliable criteria." The resolution further states, "Pastoral-care persons should be willing to explore these options as a normal part of conversation with patients and their families."


Reprinted with permission from:
SEOPF/UNOS, Organ and Tissue Donation: A Reference Guide for Clergy, 4th ed., 2000. Cooper ML, Taylor GJ, eds. Richmond, VA

[makedonche]

RTG
As useful as tit on a bull! - Where's the Macedonian Orthodox position?

[Risto the Great]

Where's the Macedonian Orthodox position?

Do you mean the Ohrid Archboshopric?
I hear the local branch might be tempted to do other things with organs soon.

[makedonche]

Do you mean the Ohrid Archboshopric?
I hear the local branch might be tempted to do other things with organs soon.

RTG
Hahahah!!!......yeah that's the one, The Ohrid Archbisphoric, theyr'e going to Serbianize organs before they sell them to the highest bidder, I hear there's a big demand for heart's from the southern neighbour!