Because of the many different Protestant denominations, a generalized statement on their attitudes toward organ/tissue donation cannot be made. However, the denominations share a common belief in the New Testament. (Luke 6:38 Give to others and God will give to you.)
The Protestant faith respects individual conscience and a person's right to make decisions regarding his or her own body. In addition, it is generally not believed that resurrection involves making the physical body whole again.
In the Winter/Spring 2002 issue of On the Beat, a publication of the New York Organ Donor Network, the Reverend Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr., Senior Minister, The Riverside Church of New York City, wrote that "…becoming a donor takes on sacramental meaning. Organ and tissue donation is considered to be the ultimate humanitarian act of benevolence." Click here for full article.
Dr. Forbes retired on June 1, 2007. He is now the Senior Minister Emeritus of The Riverside Church, President of the Healing of the Nations Foundation, and host of “The Time Is Now” on Air America Radio. |
