Religious concerns often inhibit organ donations

But most faiths don't object to transplants

By Jeannine F. Hunter

Staff Writer

September 11, 2005

Dale Flowers, minister of Luna Lane Church of Christ in Hendersonville, is a volunteer and advocate for Tennessee Donor Services. SANFORD MYERS / STAFF

Statements From Various Religions In August 2000, Pope John Paul II called organ donation a "genuine act of love" and transplantation "a great step forward in science's service of man." At another time, he said, "Those who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave His life for the salvation of all, should recognize the urgent need for a ready availability of organs for transplants a challenge to their generosity and fraternal love." African Methodist Episcopal and AME Zion churches view organ and tissue donation as an act of charity and love, according to the Tennessee Donor Services Web site, which features a list of religious positions on organ donation/transplantation. In 1988, the Southern Baptist Convention adopted a resolution that encouraged voluntarism "regarding organ donations in the spirit of stewardship, compassion for the needs of others and alleviating suffering." "Donating our organs may give the gift of life to someone else long after we have gone home to be with the Lord," according to the Assemblies of God official Web site. The denomination notes that opting not to donate is also a "valid choice for the Christian. This was the practice for all until recent years when transplant procedures have proven viable. Ultimately, the question comes down to whether or not we view it right for our organs to be candidates for resource." There are different Buddhist traditions, and Buddhism does not have rules for or against organ donation. It is an individual's prerogative. Because relieving suffering is well regarded in the faith, organ donation may be seen as an act of generosity, but because some Buddhists believe consciousness remains in the body after breathing has stopped, there is concern that this procedure could affect the deceased persons' consciousness or future lives. Sources: Tennessee Donor Services, Assemblies of God, Christianity.com

Interfaith Clergy Conference on Organ and Tissue Donation Tennessee Donor Services is sponsoring a conference designed to provide clergy with information and ministerial support regarding organ and tissue donation on Friday at the Millennium Maxwell House Nashville, 2025 MetroCenter Blvd. Registration and breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m., and the program runs from 8 a.m. to noon. Organizers ask prospective participants to register by Thursday to ensure that organizers have the right amount of food and materials for participants. Panelists include Dale Flowers, preacher at Luna Lane Church of Christ in Hendersonville; the Rev. Alexander Gatson of St. James AME Church; Rabbi Ronald Roth of West End Synagogue; Kate Payne, director of ethics at St. Thomas Hospital; transplant recipient Gay Levine Eisen, and donor family member Kimberly Kennedy. The clergy conference precedes National Donor Sabbath weekend, which is Nov. 11-13, an observance established in 1997 to raise awareness about donor and tissue donation. Generally, during this weekend, houses of worship hold services and programs about donation and transplantation. For information, call 234-5214.

HENDERSONVILLE -- Despite how common it is, organ and tissue transplantation still gives people pause, prompting many to wonder if their religious traditions approve.

Will organ donation upon death delay funerals or prohibit use of open caskets or steer souls away from heaven? These are some of the touchy questions that professionals and volunteers in organ procurement services answer most frequently, according to Dale Flowers, a volunteer with Tennessee Donor Services in Nashville.

"What about the person who has a spleen removed or an amputee," said Flowers, 65, a minister at Luna Lane Church of Christ in Hendersonville, who had a heart transplant in May. "The gift of life is the greatest gift a person can give."

Flowers is among speakers addressing theological concerns and questions at an interfaith clergy conference about organ and tissue donation and transplantation this Friday. Organized by donor services, the free conference will be held at Millennium Maxwell House Nashville hotel near downtown Nashville.

Flowers is married, a father of four and grandfather of six. He had end-stage heart disease, and his first heart attack was in 1982. He had triple bypass surgery in 1996.

"In my talks to churches, the way I approach the topic, if asked what are my views on organ donation, I remind them God gave his Son so even his enemies could have life," Flowers said after Wednesday night Bible study at the church near Old Hickory Lake.

Most major religions in the United States support organ donation or have issued statements leaving it up to the individual. The four branches of Judaism -- Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist -- approve of donation. According to the Talmud, a record of rabbinic discussions, "If you save one life, it is as though you save the world."

The decision "must be answered from deep within the conscience of the individual involved," according to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in a 1974 policy statement. "Those who seek counsel from the church on this subject are encouraged to review the advantages and disadvantages of doing so, to implore the Lord for inspiration and guidance, and then to take the course of action which would give them a feeling of peace and comfort."

Churches of Christ do not prohibit organ and tissue donation. Flowers, in addition to serving as Luna Lane Church of Christ's minister, is a missionary to the northern Philippines, where he founded Alpha Bible College, a school to train Filipino church leaders.

"Another myth is that care will be cut off or compromised for people with driver's licenses indicating they are willing to be a donor," Flowers said. "Then why aren't there a whole lot of malpractice suits? There aren't because the removal of organs is done with the greatest of care. Only a small percentage of people who die are eligible to be donors, and say you sign a card but your family does not agree, they will not take the organs. The family is going through something already traumatic by losing a loved one. It is important to share what one's wishes are before tragedy strikes."

Flowers plans to ride a bicycle from Kingsport in upper East Tennessee to Memphis in April -- National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month.

"I want to let people know I can do it and to raise awareness about donation and transplants," he said. A month later, he said, he would like to embark on a cross-country trek during which he helps raise money for donation/transplant organizations in different communities.

About 50% of people surveyed in 2004 by the Coalition on Donation "felt most comfortable indicating their wishes regarding organ and tissue donation at a place of worship," according to Tennessee Donor Services, a nonprofit, federally regulated organization that serves 84 Tennessee counties and eight in southwest Virginia. The coalition is a national alliance of donation and transplant organizations.

Jeannine F. Hunter can be reached at 259-8287 or jfhunter@tennessean.com.

Copyright © 2005 tennessean.com.

This article posted October 2, 2005.