Euthanasia has been part of societies since the 5th century BC in ancient Rome and Greece. The concept of euthanasia was considered tolerant before the creation of Christianity. Pagan doctors performed both voluntary and involuntary mercy killings. Although the Hippocratic Oath prohibited doctors from administering drugs to kill someone, even if requested, or from suggesting such action, few Greek and Roman doctors followed the oath. Although there was widespread support for voluntary death throughout Roman and Greek territory. (ProCon.Org) During the 1st century AD-16th century AD the rise of Christianity flourished throughout Europe. According to the Procon.org website article “History of Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide” by Ian Dowbiggin, “the science and ethics of Christianity in the Middle Ages was that voluntary death was considered rare and was not used as regular practice". Christians believed that human life was in the hands of God, which had strengthened belief in the Hippocratic Oath. The “father of medicine” stated in his Hippocratic Oath “forbidding physicians to administer 'a deadly drug to anyone, even when asked,' or to suggest such a course of action; few ancient Greek or Roman physicians followed the oath faithfully. " Like Christians, Jews were opposed to the idea of ​​euthanasia. Both religious groups considered euthanasia as suicide. Suicide was considered sinful by each group. (ProCon.Org) In the 17th and 18th centuries, the renaissance was beginning to thrive and these enlightened thinkers began to question the church and their spiritual devotion to the beliefs of Christianity Dowbiggin also noted that many of these thinkers were writing letters… middle of the paper… in the years to come . Works Cited: Euthanasia: Overview. By: Newton, Heather, Points of View: Euthanasia, 2013 The Black Stork published in the Chicago Herald Tribune on April 1, 1917 National Public Radio (NPR) “The Black Stork: Movie Ads,” www. npr.org (accessed May 8), 2009) Source: www.npr.org (accessed May 5, 2009) (accessed May 5, 2009) Source: www.npr.org The Black Stork published in the Chicago Herald Tribune on April 1, 1917 Ian Dowbiggin, PhD A Merciful End: The Euthanasia Movement in Modern America, 2003 Historical Timeline - Euthanasia - ProCon.org. “ProConorg Securities. Np, nd Web. January 16, 2014. Niagara County Community College Access.” Login. Np, nd Web. 17 January 2014. Websites: http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu:2099/pov/detail?sid=68a6e71f-3320-49b2-8df9-7e2dad07543b%40sessionmgr114&vid=2&hid=128&bdata=JnNpdGU9cG92LWxp dmU% 3d#db=pwh&AN=43283504