Euthanasia
Human pain and suffering is a horrible reality. When a patient reaches the point of being "terminal" some may assume that we should eliminate suffering by termination of that life. However, it is not our place to make this decision. Life is the prerogative of God, not man. It is certainly humane to elevate suffering of the sick through medication. However, we should leave life in the hands of God.
Is there a moral difference between euthanasia and abortion?
No, as they both show the same lack of respect for life. The world view is that; 1) Man is at the center of all things and the value of life is determined by man; 2) Man has determined that only certain qualities of life are worth living. This deficit philosophy has lead to many illegitimate deaths at the hands of man.
What is passive euthanasia and is it ever legitimate?
Passive euthanasia is withholding of life sustaining nutrition and support to a terminally ill patient. It is passive in the sense that the individual slowly dies without this nutrition or support. In most cases, the patient is kept comfortable during the process.
I think that when there is lack of brain activity, a person is not experiencing true life. This is a matter of quality of life, but is the absence of life. In this case, I would recommend that the patient be taken off of life support. This decision should be made, as a matter of submitting to God's sovereign will.
My family made this decision when my father had no brain activity. We took him off life support, anointed him with oil and placed him in the hands of God. God took him home.