Today, there is a vast diversity of beliefs, cultures, and religions that nurses in healthcare encounter while doing their duties to patients. As a result, when interacting with their clients, these professionals must respect and be cognizant of all cultures and belief systems. As a result, it will be critical to examine Christianity and Buddhism as the two major world religions using worldview principles and a case study of George. This is due, in part, to the enormous differences between different religions. Based on Christian believe the prime reality about life is based on the beliefs about what is written in the Bible with God as the foundation, reason for living and every human act should bring Him glory. Christians depend on the Bible when it comes to a matter of life and death. Although the boom does not specifically mention euthanasia, there are several passages that can be drawn to determine whether George should be injected with lethal does because of his condition (Cohen, 2016). The Bible hold that no human being should murder another as it is unlawful to take another's life. Further, Christians believe they are made in the image of God who is the creator, and it is only Him who has the power to give as well as take life. It means that God is the Lord who determines when one's days should end. Based on this information Physicians are not allowed to put George under euthanasia procedure. If anything, Christians are required to preserve life whatsoever and attempt to prolong the life of a person who is suffering. Moreover, if a person is terminally sick like in George's case, Christians have an obligation to make the person as comfortable as possible during this process of dying (Cohen, 2016). However, this does not mean they should attempt to the away the individual's life. Also, this religion holds that euthanasia makes the life of a human to be disposable. Therefore, physicians are forbidden from practicing abortion due to this reason.
On the other hand, Buddhism is significantly clear about the issue of euthanasia, and most of this religion's teachings are against this practice. A common position among the believers is that euthanasia is wrong since it shows that a person's state of mind is in not stable and the individual cannot be relied on to make a decision whether or not take euthanasia. Buddhists also contend that helping an individual end their life is putting the helper into a bad state of mind and this should be avoided. The religion places a strong emphasis on avoiding any harm as well as ending of life. Therefore, voluntary euthanasia such as George is forbidden and a person who does this has made an error in judgment (Kawada & Hashimoto, 2016). Additionally, Buddhism believes in karma where death is seen to a transition, and the diseased individual is to be reborn to the next world and new life who quality depend on karma. The problem perceived by Buddhist when this view is taken into account is that people do not know what the next life will be like. They do not have knowledge whether it will be bad than life the person is presently enduring and shortening will cause even worse experience after death. Another problem is that doing this alters the karmic balance and interferes with working and transition process. In this religion, people believe that the way life end has a significant impact on the way the next one begins. Also, the individual's state of mind during death is important as one's thought should be selfless and free from fear. Therefore, euthanasia is perceived to be for people that have achieved great levels of enlightenment. If one does not possess such power, it is imperative to avoid doing it (Kawada & Hashimoto, 2016). Based on this information, George should not attempt to do euthanasia because of all of the above reasons.
Case Study review: How Buddhism and Christianity Think about an Individual and Value of life
In the case study provide, George has Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis which is one of the non-curable diseases that deteriorates one's nerve cells in the spinal cord. From Christian perspective, the aim of one's suffering on earth is due to nature of sin and that people are born into the sinful world (Cohen, 2016). Therefore, sickness is a direct consequence of sin. However, this does not mean that a physician or the sick person has a right to take their life away. As a Christian, George should appreciate and value his life. While he may not desire or like having the disease he will eventually die from, he should gain strength from the fact that even Jesus suffered and this is one of the ways human get close to God. Knowing that there is life after death should be reason enough not to worry about his current suffering (Cohen, 2016). Moreover, his consideration and goal should be getting close to his creator and euthanasia should not be something to think about because it contradicts God commandment that talks about giving and taking life.
In Buddhism, George is thought to be sick because he has committed the wrong act in his life. This is attributed to karma which holds that act committed by a person in life can bring Nirvana or another cycle of life. One should try to ensure next life is easier which is determined by how one lives the current one. In other words, what an individual encounters in the next world is based on the performance of present but the past life, as well as committed acts, can influence how bad or good that life will be after transition (Kawada & Hashimoto, 2016). Therefore, if George is a Buddhist, he should strive to avoid taking his life to avoid being punished and have more fulfilling experience in the next one. He should seem to do things that are that morally accepted by his religion. He should only consider euthanasia if he is in a stable state of mind and had attained enlightenment.
Values and Considerations
Therefore principles that should be considered in this case determining whether or not George should be subjected to euthanasia. These include the principle of independence, non-maleficence, equity, and usefulness.
Non-maleficence
Non-maleficence is a principle concerned ensure that one avoid any act that causes harm to another or customer (Vitillo, 2014). Both Christianity and Buddhism consent to avoid harming others or taking away their life. These religions hold that George should be accorded much palliative care. Therefore, this calls the physicians and nurse to make or find the most suitable decision for George other than euthanasia.
Beneficence
Beneficence entails ensuring that one helps others. In other words, the principle is concerned with overseeing that one's action benefits others (Vitillo, 2014). Further, this implies an individual makes the place better for each client. Buddhism and Christians fit into this rule for physicians are required to treat their patients ensuring they get better or recover from their condition.
Justice
Justice is another principle that involves ensuring that a person is fairly and equitably treated in the society without favoritism (Vitillo, 2014). It means that nurse and physician should be open minded for they should treat each patient justly and in a manner that is perceived to be free from favoritism. Both religions keep away physicians from performing the deliberate termination of George's life. In other words, it does not matter whether George is a Muslim, Christian or Buddhism but should be accorded the best health choices.
Fidelity
The principle involves loyalty that an individual may bring to the clients or patient. The actions taken should be seen to be beneficial to the customer. Health care professional should avoid making decisions about a patient based on their current conditions but rather morality (Vitillo, 2014). Therefore, the physicians are obligated to do whatever they can to ensure George recovers, and in case he dies it should not be out of euthanasia.
My View of Death, Euthanasia, and Recommendation: Morally Justifiable Options
In my opinion, euthanasia should not be allowed because it is vise just like suicide which is condemned by the society. As a Christian, it is critical to note that God is the giver and taker of life. Further, one should strive to use bad and good experiences to gain a closer relationship with Christ. Also, based on my Christian values, I believe my life is not mine alone. Therefore, I must try not to commit acts that make me feel good. I can attest that illness and pain bring one close to God as he brings use to experience difficulties that make use rely on Him as well as His capacity to alleviate out sufferings. Therefore, as a nurse, my Christian value correlates with bringing help to the sick and easing patient's pain using the modern means of medication and equipment. I am an advocate for the patient and making sure their life is respected despite their belief. Sometimes this can be difficult, but it is imperative for one to understand their job and put patient's well-being first. It means that nurse should do anything within their capacity to safeguard life and not take it away from clients despite their illness.
Conclusion
Indeed, there are several important religion based factors that should be taken into account when it comes to euthanasia. As such, it has been imperative to analyze and determine the various beliefs embedded in Buddhism and Christianity. It has been identified that both religions hold that taking one's life away is not morally permissible. However, one difference between then is that Buddhism contends that euthanasia can be performed on a person who is enlightened. The nurse should consider all the underlying religious factors in their treatment and should focus on alleviating patients' pain and not end their life.
References
Cohen, C. B. (2016). Christian perspectives on assisted suicide and euthanasia: The Anglican tradition. The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 24(4), 369-379.
Kawada, Y., & Hashimoto, S. I. (2016). Medical Ethics and Buddhism-A Focus on Euthanasia and Death with Dignity. Journal of Oriental Studies26, 59-75.
Vitillo, R. J. (2014). Discerning the Meaning of Human Suffering Through the Discourse of Judeo-Christian Scriptures and Other Faith Teachings. Journal of pain and symptom management, 48(5), 1004-1008.
