Depending on the circumstances, different individuals link the term "otherworldly existence and perspective" with a variety of meanings. A common meaning, however, is its association with something that a person sees to be bigger and provides life meaning and a cause to be alive. When dealing with people who hold different religious beliefs, healthcare providers find themselves at the center of this disaster. This means that healthcare providers must embrace and understand the diverse faith expressions of their patients. The goal of this research is to conduct a comparative ethical analysis of George's circumstance and decision in the case study from the perspectives of two religions. Christianity and Buddhism.
Through a perspective, individuals are better positioned to take an objective overview of the world and establish factors that influence the human life. The structure of the perspective on worldview can be outlined using seven inquiries. These include what it mean by prime reality, the nature of the surrounding world, what is it being human, when a person dies what happens to them, why it is possible to know anything, how we differentiate right and wrong and finally the meaning of human history. These inquiries have been used in exploring the worldview of both Christianity and Buddhism before an ethical analysis from each perspective is detailed.
The Christian Worldview
According to Christians, the Bible is a definitive reference to their existence. They use it as a reference as it manages all they want to hear from creation, to reclamation until to Jesus Christ. Christians perceive that God and his son Jesus Christ are the makers of the world and are the ones responsible for maintaining foundation adjustments. Thus, their God is the prime reality and he is impeccable. Christians are worried because of the whole life, individual and the universe as a whole. Genesis 1:27-28; 2:15 says, "We are the creation of God, intended to administer the universe in a partnership relationship with him." Moreover, from a Christian perspective, there should be human nobility, moral absolutes, wonders and the likelihood of reclamation. When a human being dies, Christians believe that there is eternal life or paradise where after resurrection they will life forever (Hare, 2010). Moreover, they believe that the possibility of knowing anything at all is because of God’s will. The ability to know what is right and wrong is per the teachings of Jesus Christ as documented in the Bible. Christians believe that what is wrong, right has already been defined in the Bible, and it is open for all to see. Finally, the meaning of human history is how we came to being and this was through the story of creation as detailed in Genesis (Vitillo, 2014).
The Buddhism Worldview
On the other hand, the worldview of Buddhists is quite different from Christians. According to the Buddhists there is no God who Christians claim that he was responsible for creating the universe. They claim that everything in the universe existed by unconstrained emerging. One of the main objectives of Buddhism is achievement of a condition referred to as Nirvana which means to be enlightened or awakened (Baxter, n.d.). Their belief is that this influences on the knowledge that an individual has. Buddhists beliefs are that there are three indicators of presence which are inclusive enduring, everything never remains the same and everything is continually changing. In addition to this, they believe no human being has a spirit. Nevertheless, they hold the human being in a special status because only he can be enlightened (Thomas, 1881). Christians are convinced that everything they do is associated with God and the objective of living is to appease him. However, Buddhists believe that everything has been interconnected by circumstances. Just as Christians, they believe in a cycle of death and rebirth, but through enlightenment and Karma they can escape any suffering to achieve Nirvana. The center of the Buddhist good rule is called the Eightfold way (Baxter, n.d.). This rule is based on correct view, right lead, right discourse, right resolve, right exertion, right employment, proper fixation and right care. Like Christians, they know the meaning of human history as where the human being came from but largely differ on this aspect.
The Four Principles
Contemplating on the well-being of George from a religious perspective four standards of principlism can be employed. These standards include regard for independence, non-maleficence, equity and usefulness.
Regard for independence
Both religions acknowledge that patients should be treated with consideration and pride. Thus, the worries that George has can be widely consented by both Christians and Buddhists. Both Buddhists and Christians are against the idea of deliberate extermination.
Non-maleficence
Both religions agree on the need to do no harm to another person. Thus, while they would agree to palliative care, they would be against the idea of George seeing a specialist to administer voluntary euthanasia as this causes harm. This is despite the healthcare provider acting on the wish of George as a way of reducing his misery.
Usefulness
Both religions can be applicable to this principle of treating the patient with the dignity they deserve. Healthcare providers should provide the necessary measures to reduce the pain of the patient.
Equity
Both religions would not allow any specialist to administer voluntary euthanasia on George. Christians believe that only God has the right to take life and no single person including self has this responsibility. Additionally, Buddhists believe an enlightened person would not be involved in such an activity.
Contextual Analysis
As per the Christianity beliefs, the feeling that George is going through is normal because of the sudden changes in his body. The reason why Christianity believes it is normal is because God does according to his wish and there is a reason he does it. However, they trust that God is a God of mercy and he will demonstrate his kindness through recovery. Christians believe that when a man discovers the salvation of Jesus Christ, they have nothing to fear about their body because it is not theirs. George would therefore come to terms with his situation and accept who he is (Cohen, 1996). Nevertheless, for the Buddhists, enduring is controlled by man and depends on the changes. Thus, only man can alleviate anguish by dealing with craving requirements (Loh, 2004).
George acknowledges that the advancement of his illness will have significant effect on his life including his physical fitness, and professional life. A Christian overview of the life of George would conclude that he should seek for God’s salvation. ASL is a dangerous disease and a Christian would encourage George to be prayerful for the Lord is the giver and taker of life. On the other hand, a Buddhist would estimate that there is no ‘I’ or spirit and the best George can do is hope to escape the cycle of death by achieving Nirvana.
Buddhists believe that it is bad Karma for George to seek deliberate extermination because it is considered as murder (Loh, 2004). This is same as Christians who believe it is unethical for any medical professional to assist an individual to death because the Bible warns against it (Cohen, 1996). Thus, morally, according to Christians view George should seek for salvation in Jesus Christ who has the ability to heal (Aldridge, 1991). On the other hand, the Buddhist perspective is that it would be moral for George to take his own life an act considered as murder.
Personally, my view is that George should be subjected to voluntary euthanasia because it is his wish. It is clear that he has ASL symptoms and their advancement will make his life and that of his family miserable. While both religions are against it, the disease can cause much harm that expected when George continues to live. This harm can be physical for George, emotional pain for his family and friends and other negative impacts such as burden of financial costs. An unfortunate incident occurred to George and the fact that he has come to accept that things will move to the wrong direction as early as possible he should be granted his wish.
This analysis confirms the need for healthcare providers to offer treatment to their patients with a holistic view of the society and religion. This will help in providing quality healthcare.
References
Aldridge, D. (1991). Spirituality, healing, and medicine. The British Journal of General Practice, 41(351), 425-427.
Baxter, J. (n.d.). The Buddhist World View.Anvil Wincanton.Attempts to make sense and stimulate discussion. Retrieved on May 9th 2017 from http://www.johnbaxter.org/world-views/the-buddhist-world-view/
Cohen, C. (1996). Christian perspectives on assisted suicide and euthanasia: the Anglican tradition. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 24(4), 369-379.
Hare, B. J. (2010). Internet Sacred Text Archive. Retreived on May 9th 2017: http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/index.htm
Loh, K. Y. (2004). End of life philosophy and euthanasia: the Buddhist perspective. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 10(5), 251-252.
Thomas, W., R., D. (1881). Buddhism. Journal of the Pāli Text Society.
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.
