Faith-Based Communities
Religious communities across New Mexico and the U.S. are getting involved in "Give Thanks. Give Life" an initiative to increase organ and tissue donation education and awareness.
Fewer than 10 percent of people know their religion's views regarding donation. Though beliefs differ, donation is seen as the highest form of giving by many denominations.
Encourage your congregation to share this life-saving message of "Give Thanks. Give Life" anytime of the year.
Celebrate the Gift of Life by spreading this life-saving message…
- Give a Sermon: Many people are unclear of the role of being an organ donor and their religious life.
Christian Sermon Ideas - Jewish Sermon Ideas
The need for life-saving donations is great. Over 100,000 people await life-saving transplants, and 18 people die each day due to the lack of available organs.
ONE donor can save the lives of eight people through organ donation, and help 50 more people through tissue donation.
All major religions in the United States support organ and tissue donation as an honored and compassionate expression of generosity and love.
- "To Remember Me" Poem and Candlelighting
- Share: Ask a congregation member who has been touched by donation or transplantation to share their story, or have congregation members participate in candle lighting ceremony with a donation theme.
- Donation Information in Bulletin: Add a donation message in the bulletin encouraging members to make a decision to be an organ donor.
- Newsletter: Include an article in your newsletter about donation and transplantation. Highlight a member of the congregation that has benefitted from donation, or who left a legacy through donation.
- Bulletin Inserts (make your own copies)
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Table top display and bi-lingual brochures
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Donation Stickers for driver's licenses/ID cards
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Lapel Heart Pins with Donor Card
Views on Organ Donation
Buddism and Organ Donation
There are no injunctions in Buddhism for or against organ donation. The death process of an individual is viewed as a very important time that should be treated with the greatest care and respect. In some traditions, the moment of death is defined according to criteria which differ from those of modern Western medicine, and there are different views as to the acceptability of organ transplantation. The needs and wishes of the dying person must be compromised by the wish to save a life. Each decision will depend on individual circumstances.
Central to Buddhism is a wish to relieve suffering and there may be circumstances where organ donation may be seen as an act of generosity. Where it is truly the wish of the dying person, it would be seen in that light.
If there is doubt as to the teachings within the particular tradition to which a person belongs, expert guidance should be sought from a senior teacher within the tradition concerned.
When he discovered a monk sick and incared for, the Buddah said to the other monks,
"Whoever would care for me, let him care for those who are sick".
Mahavagga VIII.26.1-8 Kucchivikara-vatthu
The Monk with Dysentery. Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
Christianity and Organ Donation
The Christian faith is based on the relevation of God in the life of Jesus Christ. Throughout his life, Jesus taught people to love one another and he proved his love for the world upon the cross. In keeping with this, Christians consider organ donation as a genuine act of love and a way of following Jesus' example. This act of love then becomes part of a faith journey that is motivated by compassion to help someone else and demonstrates a sence of social responsibility.
Sacrifice and helping others are consistent themes in Christianity, which teaches the principle of seeking for others what you hope others would do for you. Enabling life to be lived as fully as possible is consistent with the teaching of the Son of God, Jesus Christ:
"...freely you have received, freely give"
Matthew, chapter 10:8
Hinduism and Organ Donation
There are many references that support the concept of organ donaiton in Hindu scriptures. Daan is the original word in Sanskrit for donation meaning selfless giving. In the list of the ten Niyamas (virtuous acts) Daan comes third. Life after death is a strong belief of Hindus and is an oingoing process of rebirth. The law of karma decides which way the soul will go in the next life.
Organ donation is an integral part of the Hindu way of life, as guided by the Vedas. That which sustains is accepted and promoted as Dharma (righteous living). Scientific treatises form an important part of the Vedas - Sage Charake deals with internal medicine while Sage Sushruta includes features of organ and limb transplants.
"...it is said that the soul is invinsible...knowing this you should not grive for the body."
Bhagavad Gita, chapter 2:25
Islam and Organ Donation
In Islam the Muslim Law (Shariah) Council UK issued a fatwa (religious opinion) on organ donation. The council resolved that"
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the council support organ transplantation as a means of alleviating pain or saving life on the basis of the rules of the Shariah.
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Muslims may carry donor cards.
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The next of kin of a dead person, in the absence of a card or an expressed wish to donate their organs, may give permission to obrain organs from the body to save other people's lives.
The fatwa is based on the Islamic principle of al-darura tubih al-mahzurat (necessities overrule prohibition). Normally, violating the human body, whether living or dead, is forbidden in Islan - but the Shariah believes this can be overruled when saving another person's life.
However there are also a a significant number of Muslim scholars who believe that organ donation is not permissible and hold the view that this does not fall under the criteia of the Islamic principle of al-darurat tubih al-mahzurat (necessitites overrule prohibition) due to other overriding Islamic principles.
Both viewpoints take their evidence from the Qur'an and the Ahaadith and therefore individual Muslims should make a decision according to their understanding of the Shariah or seek advice from their local Iman or scholar.
The Muslim Law Council UK fatwa draws on one of the basic aims of the Muslim fiath: saving life.
"Whosoever saves the life of one person it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind."
Holy Qur'an, chapter 5:32
Judaism and Organ Donation
Contrary to common myth, all Jewish denominations encourage organ and tissue donation. The mitzvah of saving a life, pikuach nefesh, is considered one of Judaism's highest values (
Hadassah - Pikua Nefesh)
In principle, Judaism supports and encourages organ donation in order to save lives. This can sometimes override the strong objections to any unnecessary interference with the body after death, and the requirement for immediate burial of the complete body.
It is understandable that there will be worries about organ donation. At a time of stress and grief, linked to sudden unexpected illness and death, reaching a decision about donation can be difficult for a family. It is at this time that halachic guidance is so important.
Judaism insists that no organ may be removed from a donor until death. Judaism insists that honour and respect are due to the dead (kavod hamet). After donation, the avoidance of unnecessary further interference with the body, and the need for immediate interment, are again of prime concern.
"One who saves a single life - it is as if he has saved an entire world."
Pirke D'Rav Eliezer, chapter 48
Sikhism and Organ Donation
Sikh philosophy and teachings place great emphasis on the importance of giving and putting others before oneself.
It als stresses the importance of performing noble deeds and there are many examples of selfess giving and sacrifice in Sikh teachings by the ten Gurus and other Sikhs.
Sikhs belive life after death is a continuous cycle of rebirth but the physical body is not needed in this cycle - a person's sould is their real essence.
"The dead sustain their bond with the living through virtuous deed."
Guru Nanak, Guru Granth Sahib, p 143
Religious views Information obtained from UK Transplant
Sample Bulletins/Newsletter Inserts
Below are short, individual paragraphs that can be inserted in your bulletins & newsletters regularly distributed to your congregation to demonstrate commitment to giving the gift of life.
Leave the legacy of life. The second weekend in November is National Donor Sabbath. (Religious Organization) supports organ and tissue donation as the gift of life and as the expression of highest humanitarian ideals. Please visit
www.NMdonor.org to sign up to give life today or check “YES” the next time you renew your driver’s license at the MVD . For more information call New Mexico Donor Services at (505) 843-7672. It’s about giving life.
— (Religious Organization) supports and encourages organ and tissue donation as the ultimate gift of one person to another. November __ is National Donor Sabbath. Take a moment to sign up at
www.NMdonor.org or check “YES” the next time you renew your driver’s license at the MVD. Please consider making this great gift in God’s name.
— (Religious Organization) supports and encourages organ and tissue donation as the ultimate gift of one person to another. November __ is National Donor Sabbath. Take a moment to sign up at
www.NMdonor.org Please consider making this great gift in God’s name.
— This National Donor Sabbath more than 100,000 people nationwide and nearly 1,000 New Mexicans of all ages and backgrounds currently wait for a life-saving organ transplant. For many, the chance to live a full life won’t come unless all of us consider organ and tissue donation. Discuss this critical need after worship with your friends and family and how we all can help. You can save lives. Sign up today at
www.NMdonor.org or check “YES” the next time you renew your driver’s license at the MVD.
—It’s National Donor Sabbath and (Religious Organization) recognizes the extraordinary life-giving power of organ and tissue donation and encourages all members of our congregation to sign up today on New Mexico ’s organ and tissue donor registry – Donate Life New Mexico (
www.NMdonor.org) or check “YES” the next time you renew your driver’s license at the MVD. You have the power to donate life. For more information, contact: New Mexico Donor Services at (505) 843-7672. It’s about giving life.
— (Christian focused) Our church supports organ and tissue donation as the gift of life, an expression of the highest humanitarian ideals. We ask that all members of the congregation consider, during National Donor Sabbath signing up and give this gift in the name of Christ, who gave his life so that we might have life in its fullest.
— How do we respond to the blessings God has bestowed on us? How do we deal responsibly with the gifts God has given us? To think only of ourselves is to squander our lives. But to respond gratefully means we praise God with our words and our actions. To respond gratefully is to realize that all of life is God’s and we are called to care for it and share it. With these thoughts, we ask you to consider giving the gift of life so that others may live. Leave a legacy of life through organ and tissue donation. Sign up at
www.NMdonor.org or check “YES” the next time you renew your driver’s license at the MVD. It’s about giving life.
— (Religious Organization) recognizes the life-giving benefits of organ and tissue donation and encourages our members to sign up or check “YES” the next time you renew your driver’s license at the MVD. By doing so, they attest to their commitment upon death to give such organs and tissues to those in need as part of their ministry to others.
—You can now ensure your decision about organ and tissue donation is honored. Sign up today at
www.NMdonor.org or check “YES” the next time you renew your driver’s license at the MVD. For more information call NMDS at (505) 843-7672. It’s about giving life.
— To think of others in our hours of grief and sorrow is truly compassionate and selfless. Please consider the legacy of life – organ and tissue donation. (Religious Organization) supports this gift in the spirit of love and generosity. Remember to sign up today at
www.NMdonor.org or check “YES” the next time you renew your driver’s license at the MVD. It’s about giving life.