Christian Medical and Dental
Associations (USA)
Approved by the House of Representatives
June 11, 2004 unanimously
Reproduced with permission
Moral complicity with evil is culpable
association with or participation in wrongful acts. Evil is defined as
anything immoral or wrong based on Biblical principles. Questions about
moral complicity with evil can arise in regard to an individual’s
relationship to or involvement with past, present or future evil.
Moral complicity may occur with the use of information, technology or
materials obtained through immoral means. This complicity may involve
using, rewarding, perpetuating, justifying, or ignoring past or present
evil.1 Moral complicity may involve enabling or facilitating future
immoral actions of patients or professionals.2
We must strive to never commit evil ourselves, nor should we participate in or encourage evil by others. While it may be impossible at times to completely distance ourselves from the evil actions of others, we are responsible to determine whether our action is appropriately distanced or inappropriately complicit. This determination is based on the revealed Word of God. In the absence of clear Biblical teaching, this determination is based on conscience as informed by the Holy Spirit, using but recognizing the innately fallible nature of human reason and prudence.
2. We may never do evil that good may come. (Romans 3: 8)
3. We must hate and oppose evil. (Romans 12: 9)
4. We should separate ourselves from evil. (II Corinthians 6: 17)
5. We cannot totally separate ourselves from evil. (I Corinthians 5: 9 & 10)
6. We should overcome evil with good. (Romans 12: 21)
7. We should seek wisdom. (James 1: 2-5)
2. Magnitude. Some evil acts are so heinous that any association with them is unacceptable.
3. Timing. Passage of time may diminish complicity with prior evil acts, though it does not diminish the evil nature of the original act.
4. Proximity. A greater degree of association with an evil act increases culpability.
5. Knowledge. Knowledge that an original act was evil and knowledge that a subsequent act is associated with that act are both required for culpability.
6. Certitude. A greater degree of certainty that the original action was evil increases complicity.
1. our intent is for good;
2. the association with the past or present evil is sufficiently uncertain, or the act is sufficiently distanced from the original evil act; and
3. the action does not reward, perpetuate, justify, cooperate with, or ignore the original evil.
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Christian Medical and Dental
Associations (USA)
Approved by the CMDA House of Representatives.
June 10, 2005 unanimously
Reproduced with permission
1. The primary act must be inherently good, or at least morally neutral.
2. The good effect must not be obtained by means of the bad effect.
3. The bad effect must not be intended, only permitted.
4. There must be no other means to obtain the good effect.
5. There must be a proportionately grave reason for permitting the bad effect.
CMDA endorses these guidelines, fully realizing that not all situations
in patient care can be anticipated or provided for; nor can the intent of
medical caregivers always be discerned with certainty.
* See CMDA statement Moral Complicity
with Evil
**See CMDA statements Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide