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'''Euthanasia''' is the sinful, deliberate termination of the life of a disabled or terminally ill person, for instance in order to end unbearable suffering. Under Anglo-American law involuntary euthanasia is illegal--although there are a few exception now in the [[United States]] (see below). Most religious leaders see all forms of euthanasia as murder.

'''Euthanasia''' is the act of terminating the life of a disabled or terminally ill person, for instance in order to end unbearable suffering. Under Anglo-American law involuntary euthanasia is illegal--although there are a few exception now in the [[United States]] (see below). Most religious leaders see all forms of euthanasia as murder.

Most [[libertarians]] and many [[liberals]] support legalization in some circumstances of ''voluntary euthanasia'', i.e. the termination of a dying patient's life upon his/her own explicit request. Voluntary euthanasia has been legalized in the [[Netherlands]] and [[Belgium]], where large majorities of the population support the right of terminally ill patients to die at a moment of their own choosing, and in [[Switzerland]] and the US state of [[Oregon]], where the people explicitly endorsed legalization in plebiscites.  Legalized euthanasia has limitations on when it may be used, such as the approval of a number of physicians when a terminally ill patient suffers from excruciating pain. Opponents of euthanasia maintain that this rarely constitutes an obstacle, as in practice all it requires is a few physicians to authorize it, and that legalization thus violates the [[sanctity of human life]]. They also fear legalization could be a slippery slope, leading to the planned and involuntary termination of all life that is deemed "unworthy", as in the [[Nazis]]' program to kill the mentally and physically handicapped. Supporters of legalized voluntary euthanasia, on the other hand, feel that a complete ban would unnecessarily prolong the suffering of some terminally ill patients and thus contravene the [[Gospel]]'s teaching of compassion. They are convinced that the rule of law in democratic societies prevents excesses such as the euthanasia program of [[Nazi]] [[Germany]].  

Most [[libertarians]] and many [[liberals]] support legalization in some circumstances of ''voluntary euthanasia'', i.e. the termination of a dying patient's life upon his/her own explicit request. Voluntary euthanasia has been legalized in the [[Netherlands]] and [[Belgium]], where large majorities of the population support the right of terminally ill patients to die at a moment of their own choosing, and in [[Switzerland]] and the US state of [[Oregon]], where the people explicitly endorsed legalization in plebiscites.  Legalized euthanasia has limitations on when it may be used, such as the approval of a number of physicians when a terminally ill patient suffers from excruciating pain. Opponents of euthanasia maintain that this rarely constitutes an obstacle, as in practice all it requires is a few physicians to authorize it, and that legalization thus violates the [[sanctity of human life]]. They also fear legalization could be a slippery slope, leading to the planned and involuntary termination of all life that is deemed "unworthy", as in the [[Nazis]]' program to kill the mentally and physically handicapped. Supporters of legalized voluntary euthanasia, on the other hand, feel that a complete ban would unnecessarily prolong the suffering of some terminally ill patients and thus contravene the [[Gospel]]'s teaching of compassion. They are convinced that the rule of law in democratic societies prevents excesses such as the euthanasia program of [[Nazi]] [[Germany]].