Religious Attitudes About Donation

Most major religions support donation. It is generally held donation for the benefit of others is a demonstration of faith and love for one’s fellow man. Questions about a faith’s position on donation should be referred to the appropriate clergy or spiritual advisor.

This information is based on materials prepared by the American Council on Transplantation.

Amish – The Amish consent to donation if they know it is for the health and welfare of the transplant recipient. They may be reluctant to consent if the transplant outcome is known to be questionable.

Baptist – Donation is supported as an act of charity and the church leaves the decision to donate up to the individual.

Brethren – The Church of the Brethren’s Annual Conference in 1993 wrote a resolution on organ and tissue donation in support and encouragement of donation. They wrote, “We have the opportunity to help others out of love for Christ, through the donation of organs and tissues.”

Buddhism – Buddhists believe that organ donation is a matter that should be left to an individual’s conscience. There is no written resolution on the issue. 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.”

Catholicism – Roman Catholics view donation as an act of charity, fraternal love and self sacrifice. Transplants are ethically and morally acceptable to the Vatican.

The Church of Christ Scientist – Christian Scientists do not take a specific position on transplants or donation. Christian Scientists normally rely on spiritual rather than medical means of healing. The question of donation is left to the individual church member.

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, a spokesman for the Greek Orthodox Church of North and South American, “We are not against organ donation provided the organs and tissues 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.”

Gypsies – Gypsies are, on the whole, against donation. Although they have no formal resolution, their opposition is associated with their belief about the after-life. Gypsies believe that for one year after a person dies, the soul retraces its steps. The body must be intact because the soul maintains its physical shape.

Hinduism – Hindus are not prohibited by religious law from donating, according to the Hindu Temple Society of North America. The act is an individual's decision.

Islam – In 1983, the Moslem Religious Council initially rejected organ donation by followers of Islam, but it has revised its position, provided donors consent in writing before their death.

Jehovah’s Witnesses – According to the Watch Tower Society, the legal corporation for the religion, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not encourage organ donation but believe it is a matter best left to an individual’s conscience. All organs and tissues, however, must be completely drained of blood before transplantation. In addition, it would not be acceptable for an organ donor to receive blood as part of the organ recovery process.

Judaism – Jews believe that if it is possible to donate an organ to save a life, it is obligatory to do so. Since restoring sight is considered life saving, this includes cornea 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 the family.

Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) – The Church 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/her own body.

Protestantism -- Encourage and endorse organ donation.

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

Society of Friends (Quakers) – 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. They view it as an act of love and selfless giving.

United Church of Christ - Donation is encouraged and supported.

United Methodist - The United Methodist Church issued a policy statement in regards to organ and tissue donation. In it, they state that “The United Methodist Church recognizes the life-giving benefits or 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.”