Religious Worldviews Affecting Organ Donation in Israel

Abstract

The supply of donor organs available for transplantation far exceeds demand in Israel. Organ donation is perceived by many believers as contravening the tenets of their religion. This study investigates the different attitudes toward organ donation of members of the 3 major religions by subgroups and level of religiosity. A large convenience sample of Muslims, Jews, and Christians of all subgroups completed questionnaires on organ donation. Notwithstanding the sanctioning by the 3 religions of organ donation, both live and postmortem, the general public demonstrates different levels of disinclination to donate, which is characterized by affiliation to religious subgroups or non-affiliation and the decisions of religious authorities. The secular constitutes an exception within all 3 religions for all research variables. Religious belief as well as its absence are central factors in making personal decisions about organ donation. To increase organ donation, campaigns aimed at educating the public must consider the religious rulings of each religion and its subgroups and work with their spiritual leaders. Hospital nurses, in particular, who are often closest to the family of a candidate for organ donation, should be familiar with official religious stances on organ donation issues.