Life and Perspectives on Euthanasia
Life is one of the most important issues that humans face. Humans perceive life in a variety of ways based on their cultural, societal, and religious views. Life is essential and is appreciated, and many elements contribute to life being seen as extremely valuable. There are numerous perspectives on life that make it significant. As a result, it has meaning on a personal level as well as for mankind as a whole. Numerous problems might arise in a person's life, leading them to consider euthanasia due to the devastating impacts of what they may be experiencing. When it comes to euthanasia, there are distinctions in how such situations are viewed depending on a person's religion. This research will address Buddhism and Christianity how people can view life, various sufferings, and death relating to euthanasia.
Case Study on Death and Dying
World View Questions
The prime reality is personal, infinite God who is revealed in the Holy Scriptures. God is considered to be triune, omniscient, transcendent and immanent, good, and sovereign. This is the Christian belief that God who resides in heaven created all things that are present in the World and outer space. The Christian belief is that God has no limitations and is always available at any time. This belief is what strengthens the Christians faith for they feel they are always in the presence of the Lord. The nature of the world around us is based on the belief that the Universe was created by God. The universe was sinless and perfect from what people considered it to have been back then during creation.
The world was perfect after creation and God created the man from his image. The man was created from dust. According to what is entailed in the Bible, is that after man was created, God realized that man was lonely. Therefore, God took the man's left rib when he was asleep and created him a woman who would give him company (Badham, 2009). Everything was perfect after creation as the man lived in harmony with the woman and the animals around them and the vegetation. Everything was perfect until Satan tricked Eve into disobeying God by eating the forbidden fruit. Disobeying God in the first place was the origin of sin. God then sent away Adam and Eve from Eden.
The earth population grew, and humans started getting involved in more sin which God could not withstand. Jesus brought salvation to people. There are many beliefs based on religion on how people view what happens to a person at death. Such a question always depends on whether an individual believes in Jesus's death and resurrection. From the Christian perspective, there is heaven and hell and no in-between. Christians believe in faith and following teachings according to the Bible for someone to go to heaven, but those who sin go to hell.
Christian Beliefs and the Sacredness of Life
Christian beliefs are what strengthen their faith because everyone wants to go to heaven and enjoy the eternal life that Jesus had promised them before his death. From the fact that Christians believe they have been created in God's image and likeness, is what makes them know everything that is expected of humans. God made human beings as intelligent beings above every other creature. Knowing what is right and wrong is based on biblical guidance. The Bible is God's book, and it has the Ten Commandments. These commandments were given to Moses by God to teach them to the Israelites. These commandments are still relevant in our today's life and are what guides us through our everyday life on what is right and wrong.
Human history has a primary meaning of serving God. As Christians, we believe that God created us to praise his name during our lifetime and enjoy him forever (Bülow, Reinhart, Prayag, Armaganidis & Levy, 2008). Moreover, God sent his son to save us from our sins because he valued our lives and did not want us to go astray. That is why Jesus died on the cross for our sake so that God would forgive us our sins. We know the world is under God's control, but he is very kind and gives humankind choices. God requires us to obey him and always praise his name.
Perspectives on Euthanasia from a Buddhist View
On the other hand, Buddhism addresses the seven worldviews in various ways. The Buddhists believe that there is no supernatural being; hence nirvana is the achievement of prime reality. According to what they believe, the attainment of nirvana is by suffering, desire, and the infinite self. They do not believe in divine creation, and from their perspective, the world has existed forever. The Buddhists view the world as being in continuous replication of birth and death. Therefore, making the world continue recreating itself. To them, a human being is the only living thing that can achieve nirvana. They believe that there is no end to life after death, and death is only an end to the body that is inhabited.
The Buddhists believe a person's spirit remains and attaches to a new body after someone has died. They reason that humans know a lot because they are intelligent, and their reasoning is higher (Kongsuwan & Touhy, 2009). Human beings know how to differentiate what is right from what is wrong because of their capability to judge the same. They believe that there is also an interest for people to do what they think is ethically correct because of karma. They also reason that human history is all about self-discovery, attainment of nirvana, and leading a moral life. Buddhists also believe that reincarnation allows enough time for an individual to develop nirvana.
Christian and Buddhist Perspectives on George's Suffering
By taking into account George's malady and suffering issues, these two religions address the same differently. For instance, to start with Christianity, there might be many factors that can be considered as the cause of George's suffering. It may be reasoned that it is due to God's punishment for what maybe George had once done in his life that was not pleasant before God. But there are also chances that it was just due to natural causes that are making him suffer. According to the perspective of George's situation being created as a punishment from God, the Christian belief is that it is expected of him to repent. Christians will reason that he should repent his sins and seek prayer assistance from his church pastor. Maybe through prayers, God might have mercy on him and relieve him from the suffering.
The perception of it being a natural cause, church members would conduct prayers on George's behalf as he undergoes treatments. They believe that with hospital help and God in between, may help George recover. According to Christianity, every life is valuable in the presence of God. Therefore, George's life with or without ALS is precious before the church. Under such situations that George is in, it is always obvious that Christians will be close to their victim and they will offer support where possible. The Christians will always help in prayers and give gifts to the family members and pay a regular visit to bring them feel close.
Christians value life, and that is why they reason that it is not theirs to take. Life is considered as God-given, and it is God's responsibility to take it when He finds it right. From such a perspective view of life, the Christian religion cannot join hand in supporting George to opt for euthanasia. By George going for such an option is considered as sin, and they believe will lead him to hell. Life is sacred and valued because God lives in our soles. The Christian would consider George's moral as having weak faith. Only those who lack strong faith are capable of thinking of taking their life. Believing and seeking God's help may help George to recover from his condition instead of opting for euthanasia.
Buddhist Perspective on George's Suffering and Euthanasia
According to the Buddhist religion, George situation is viewed differently from the Christian faith. Buddhism has some truths that reference suffering (Deguchi, Garfield & Priest, 2008). One of the facts is that life itself is all about suffering and cannot be denied. They also reason that suffering is caused by craving and wanting. From these truths about Buddhism, George's illness is not only considered a natural cause, but may be linked to his desires. He has not mastered the noble truths of Buddhism, and that is why he may be sick.
Buddhism moral codes value life and do not require any life be taken from anything that is living. They view life as sacred regardless of a person's capacity. Before the Buddhist, George's life with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is valued same as before he fell sick (Chan, Poon & Hegney, 2011). Buddhists believe in living a healthy life as one prepares for death because it is a central feature. But under cases where a person is undergoing treatments, but there are no signs of recovery with worsening conditions, it is not wrong to withhold treatment. George's idea of taking his life is wrong before Buddhism because he does not have hopes. Also, one may also look at this from a different perspective that if he stays alive, he will strain his family when the disease finally progresses, and he is not able to do anything by himself.
Conclusion
In conclusion, based on my personal view, euthanasia is morally wrong. Life is sacred and God-given, making us not worthy to take it away for any reason. By taking someone's life or your own, it is like disrespecting God and degrading the death of Jesus at the cross. Jesus underwent a lot of suffering on our behalf so that we may one day have eternal life (Gielen, Branden & Broeckaert, 2009). We are not allowed to end our suffering but instead should seek God's mercy and forgiveness through prayers. God has plans placed for each and every one of us, thus making our lives of importance before Him. Finally, as a Christian, we might not have all the answers, but God does. Therefore, George should have accepted treatment because that might have been a way through which God would have used to work miracles and make him healed.
References
Badham, P. (2009). Is there a Christian Case for Assisted Dying: Voluntary Euthanasia Reassessed. SPCK.
Bülow, H. H., Sprung, C. L., Reinhart, K., Prayag, S., Du, B., Armaganidis, A., ... & Levy, M. M. (2008). The world's major religions' points of view on end-of-life decisions in the intensive care unit. Intensive care medicine, 34(3), 423-430.
Chan, T. W., Poon, E., & Hegney, D. G. (2011). What nurses need to know about Buddhist perspectives of end-of-life care and dying. Progress in Palliative Care, 19(2), 61.
Deguchi, Y., Garfield, J. L., & Priest, G. (2008). The way of the dialetheist: Contradictions in Buddhism. Philosophy East and West, 58(3), 395-402.
Gielen, J., Van den Branden, S., & Broeckaert, B. (2009). Religion and nurses' attitudes to euthanasia and physician assisted suicide. Nursing Ethics, 16(3), 303-318.
Kongsuwan, W., & Touhy, T. (2009). Promoting Peaceful Death for Thai Buddhists: Implications for Holistic End‐of‐Life Care. Holistic nursing practice, 23(5), 289-296.
