La difusión de la fe 

Un acto desinteresado de caridad y amor

Al considerar cuestiones relacionadas con la vida y la muerte, como la donación de órganos y tejidos, muchas personas suelen acudir a sus líderes religiosos en busca de orientación espiritual y para conocer la perspectiva de su fe.

Afortunadamente, prácticamente todas las religiones más importantes del mundo tienen posturas oficiales que ven positivamente la donación de órganos y tejidos como un don de generosidad y compasión sin parangón. Incluso cuando una religión concreta no ha adoptado una postura definitiva sobre la donación, deja libertad a la persona (o a su familia) para decidir por sí misma.

La Red para Compartir de Nueva Jersey tiene la gran suerte de contar con fuertes socios en las comunidades religiosas locales que apoyan su misión de salvar vidas. Líderes religiosos y devotos seguidores de diversas religiones de todo el estado han expresado su apoyo a la donación de órganos y tejidos.

¿Qué dice su religión sobre la donación? 

AME y AME Sión

Estas confesiones consideran la donación como un acto de amor al prójimo y de caridad. Animan a todos sus miembros a apoyar la donación como forma de ayudar a los demás.

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.”

Asamblea de Dios

The decision to donate is left up to the individual. Donation is highly supported by the denomination.

Bahai

La fe Bahai cree que los trasplantes son aceptables si los prescriben las autoridades médicas, y a los creyentes se les permite donar sus cuerpos para la investigación y con fines reparadores.

Bautista

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.

Budismo

Organ and tissue donation is considered an individual’s decision. Buddhism does not promote or prohibit donation, but if an individual decides to become an organ donor, it is widely lauded as an act of compassion. In the case of deceased donation, the death process is an important, highly respected time for Buddhists, and the requests of the deceased takes precedence.

Catolicismo

Organ, eye and tissue donation is an acceptable act of kindness in the Roman Catholic Church. Donation is considered an act of charity and love, according to Pope John Paul II in Evangelium Vitae, no. 86.

Coptic Orthodox

Organ donation is considered an act of charity, fraternal love, and self-sacrifice. The Church encourages Christians to enroll as organ donors in case of a sudden accidental death when their valuable organs can save someone's life.

'The epitome of love is shown when one sacrifices himself for others, “greater love has no one than this that one lay down his life for his friends” (Jn.15: 13). Thus, although man is not allowed to sell his organs for profit, yet donating one of his organs to save a patient’s life is a noble act.'

—Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California and Hawaii

Ciencia Cristiana

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.

Disciples of Christ

Organ and tissue donation is accepted and actively promoted by the Christian Church. In 1985, the General Assembly adopted “Resolution #8548 Concerning Organ Transplants,” which encouraged members to register as organ donors and support transplant recipients through prayer.

Episcopal

Organ donation is encouraged by the Episcopal Church. The 70th General Convention adopted “Resolution #1991-A097 Urge Members to Consider Donating Organs,” which recommended that members donate their organs after death so that others may live. The Church also urges members to clearly state their decision to family, friends, the Church and their attorney.

Iglesia Evangélica Luterana de América

No hay ninguna ley eclesiástica ni razón teológica que impida a los cristianos luteranos elegir ser donantes de órganos, y la promesa de Dios de resucitar a los muertos no se ve comprometida por la donación de órganos.

Evangelical Covenant Church

Organ donation is acceptable and encouraged by the Evangelical Covenant Church. Since the adoption of the Organ Donor Resolution in 1982, members of the Church are encouraged to register their decision to be a donor. Leaders of the faith, especially educators, are encouraged to promote awareness of organ donation in all Evangelical congregations.

Iglesia Evangélica Luterana de América

No hay ninguna ley eclesiástica ni razón teológica que impida a los cristianos luteranos elegir ser donantes de órganos, y la promesa de Dios de resucitar a los muertos no se ve comprometida por la donación de órganos.

Griegos ortodoxos

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.”

Hinduismo

Organ donation is not prohibited by religious law, according to the Hindu Temple Society of North America. Donation is considered an individual’s decision. There are many references that support organ donation in Hindu scriptures. Daan is the original word in Sanskrit for donation meaning selfless giving. It is also third in the list of the ten Niyamas (virtuous acts). Life after death is a strong belief of Hindus and is an ongoing process of rebirth.

Islam

In 2019, the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) announced that organ donation and transplantation is permissible within the Islamic faith and among American Muslims, making a clear religious ruling for Muslims living in North America. Organ donation is permitted in the Islamic faith as long as shar’i guidelines are met and that measures are in place to protect human dignity. Living donation is permitted in order to keep the recipient alive, or an essential function of their body intact. In the case of deceased donation, permission must be given by the deceased before their death or by their heirs after death.

Janismo

En el jainismo, la compasión y la caridad se consideran virtudes fundamentales. La donación de órganos cuenta con un amplio apoyo de los líderes y monjes de la comunidad jainista.

Testigos de Jehová

La donación es una cuestión de decisión individual. Los testigos de Jehová sí permiten el trasplante una vez extraída la sangre del órgano. En todo el mundo, hay más de 90.000 médicos que han hecho saber que están dispuestos a tratar a los testigos de Jehová sin sangre.

Judaísmo

Organ, eye and tissue donation is encouraged in the Jewish faith. Donation and transplantation does not desecrate a body or show lack of respect for the dead, and any delay in burial to facilitate organ donation is respectful of the decedent. Organ donation saves lives and honors the deceased. The Conservative Movement’s Committee on Jewish Laws and Standards has stated that organ donations after death represent not only an act of kindness, but are also a “commanded obligation” which saves human lives.

Lutheran Church

Organ donation is permitted and encouraged in the Lutheran Church. In the Church’s 1984 resolution, “Organ Donation: A Resolution of the Lutheran Church in America,” donation contributes to the well-being of humanity and is an expression of love for a neighbor in need. The Lutheran Church encourages members to make the necessary family legal arrangements, including registering as a donor.

Menonita

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 their family.

(Mormon) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Organ and tissue donation is permitted by the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints. Donation is considered a selfless act, with great medical benefit to recipients. The decision to donate organs or other tissue rests with the individual or with a deceased donor’s family.

Pentecostal

Los pentecostales creen que la decisión de donar debe dejarse en manos del individuo.

Presbiteriano

Organ donation is encouraged by the Presbyterian Church, but the ability to donate is up to the individual and what they want to do with their body. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) encouraged all Christians to become organ and tissue donors in their 1983 General Assembly as an act of ministry to others.

Adventistas del Séptimo Día

Se recomienda encarecidamente la donación y el trasplante.

Sij

The Sikh philosophy and teachings support the importance of giving and putting others before oneself. Seva (the act of selfless service, to give without seeking reward or recognition) is at the core of being a Sikh. Seva can also be about donating your organ to another – Sikhism does not attach taboos to organ donation and transplantation and stresses that saving a human life is one of the noblest things you can do. Sikhs also believe that your body does not need all its organs at or after death.

Southern Baptist Convention

Organ donation is considered an act of stewardship and compassion that alleviates the suffering of others by the Southern Baptist Convention. In their 1988 resolution, “Resolution on Human Organ Donations,” the Convention determined that resurrection does not depend on body wholeness.

Unitaria Universalista

La donación cuenta con un amplio apoyo y se considera un acto de amor y entrega.

Metodista Unida

Organ and tissue donation is encouraged by the United Methodist Church. In their 2000 resolution, “Resolution #139,” the Church promoted the celebration of National Donor Sabbath as another way that its members can help save lives.