Case Study on Death and Dying

Case Study on Death and Dying Abstract The Christian worldview states that life is a precious gift that God gave to every human being. According to Hoehner (2020), “the death of the body remains one of the central, universal, and inevitable outcomes of life”. The Christian worldview sees any means of ending one’s life as morally incorrect, as they believe the only one that can decide that is God. Making the choice of euthanasia due to the diagnosis of a terminal illness can sometimes be the only option a person can see. They do not want to endure the suffering and pain they are about to go through and let alone see their loved ones suffering with them as well. Everyone should be able to make that choice, of whether to prolong their lives or opt out of any live saving measures or treatments. Death and dying are a very challenging part of life and it can be very difficult for everyone, from the person who is experiencing it to their family members, but death is just part of life. We will discuss the Christian worldview on the death and their standpoint on euthanasia utilizing the case study of George, who was recently diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), along with analyzing George’s imminent death and ethics regarding voluntary euthanasia. George’s interpretation on his suffering with an emphasis on the Fallenness of the world? According to Hoehner (2020), the Christian worldview provides meaning and purpose to suffering. Christians see suffering and death as the outcome of sin. The foundation of sin and death are a mark of God’s command to Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve were created in the image of God, to not eat of the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil (Hoehner, 2020). God stated, “in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die”. God did not design this to be a punishment, but rather an expression of love and faithful obedience. As stated in the Christian narrative, God is faithful to all his promises , Adam and Eve died “spiritually” after eating from the tree and eventually suffered from a physical death. In other words when a human being dies, it is because it is God’s “curse”. In the case of George, he would associate his new suffering of this newly diagnosis to being a sinner. This is because God stated that sins and suffering go hand in hand. Death is seen as humanity’s separation of God, because of their sinning (Hoehner, 2020). Death, pain, and suffering, and illness are all consequences of the fall, which were not part of what God had planned for humanity. Therefore, George will at least know all humans sin at one point or another in their lifetime and George can find some sort of console in that and just accept his faith. George’s interpretation on his suffering with an emphasis on the hope of Resurrection? “For the Christian believer, death is given its ultimate meaning in terms of Christ’s own suffering, death, and resurrection” (Hoehner, 2020). Resurrection provides practice for learning to die and plan for the final chapter of one’s life with purpose. The Christian worldview believes that God created human beings in his image. They believe that one’s suffering is supposed to bring them closer to God and understand all the suffering that Christ went through when he died for humanity’s sins. The Christian’s perspective would interpret George’s new diagnosis as God’s will. Jesus’s death paid the ultimate sacrifice for guilt of his people’s sins and for those who trust him, and this was assured by his resurrection (Hoehner, 2020). Jesus’s death and resurrection was how his people were saved and put an end to guilt and punishment for every sin that humanity has committed. If George believes that his suffering can be a result of his sins, and this can give him the chance to atone his sins and rebuild his relationship with God. This can also help George believe that God can and will forgive him and his suffering will end after his death. The Christian’s worldview about the value of George’s life as a person According to the Christian worldview, every human being is created in the image of God, which gives every human being dignity and value. To be a person, one must have a relationship with God. Regardless of his terminal diagnosis, George’s life is still considered valuable, therefore the only one that can decide it is time to part from this world is God. One just does not lose their worth because of a disease and George is expected to endure his suffering, because his suffering should not make one make the choice to end their life. According to White (2020), life is a precious gift from God, but as stated previously, suffering is just part of everyone’s life due to one’s sins. George’s life is still valuable to God and based on the Christian worldview. The significance of the “imago Dei” (the image of God), is that as a human being we are more than simply physical bodies, because God is a spirit. Therefore, being made in the image of God means that as humans we also pose a nonphysical reality (White, 2020). In other words, just because George has been diagnosed with ALS, he has equal worth to every other human being, regardless of physical or mental ability, or any other differentiation (White, 2020). The Christian worldview on whether George should opt for euthanasia The Christian narrative and worldview are against active and involuntary euthanasia (Frey & Blackwell, 2018). This is because the Christian worldview, God has the ultimate power over death and life, and the fact that every human being remains valuable since they are all created in God’s image. The Christian worldview is truly opposed to euthanasia, this is considered a prohibited practice due to moral grounds, because they believe life to be cherished and suicide in any form is prohibited (Haerens, 2015). Based on the Christian narrative, George should “accept: his suffering because his suffering id God’s will and this is a way for George to rebuild his relationship with God. God utilizes suffering and pain to bring them close to him and this allows every human being to atone from their sins. Death is the humanity’s separation from their creator as the source of both physical and spiritual life, with sin being the cause of such separation (Hoehner, 2020). Because God has a purpose for everyone, George should perceive his terminal disease as God working on his life and his suffering is all just a plan, because God is the one who gives life. Options that are morally justified in the Christian worldview Given George’s diagnosis and what would be morally justified in the Christian worldview is for George to continue living his life despite the suffering he is going to have to endure as his disease progresses. God gave humans the gift of life and one taking into their own hands to end their life is unacceptable and morally wrong (Hoehner, 2020). Although the Christian worldview sees ending one’s life as morally incorrect, sometimes they do carefully accept regulated forms of passive euthanasia (Frey & Blackwell, 2018). Passive euthanasia is referred to as “euthanasia that involves withholding medical care, or not doing something to prevent death” (Frey & Blackwell, 2018). This would be considered voluntary euthanasia, because the patient would be the one deciding to die and requesting the passive euthanasia. This would allow George to opt for this choice if he wished to stop any medical treatment to prolong his life without it being morally incorrect in the Christian worldview. George has the two options of enduring his suffering and let God’s will determine what will happen with his life or opt for passive euthanasia. What decision would I make if I were in George’s situation? I believe everyone should be able to make the decision of how they die if they are suffering from a terminal illness. I believe this way one can still preserve their dignity. If I were in George’s shoes I would opt for voluntary euthanasia. Although, the Christian worldview is against euthanasia, it would be too difficult for myself going through the pain and suffering of ALS, but it would also be very difficult for my family to see me suffering and lose all my abilities of being myself. I do not believe that is a way for anyone to live. ALS is a catastrophic disease. It is a degenerative disease affecting the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that causes muscle atrophy and deterioration of motor neurons leading to the loss of the ability to speak, move, eat, and breathe on your own. The Christian narrative states, that God is forgiving. Therefore, I believe God would forgive anyone for making the choice of passive euthanasia. Conclusion Only the individual suffering and enduring the pain of a terminal illness knows how they feel and when they have had enough and decide when they no longer want to prolong their life. The Christian worldview sees suffering and pain as part of one’s life and one should just endure it because it is God’s plan in order to bring humanity closer to him. Due to this believe, George should endure his suffering and allow God’s will because euthanasia is morally incorrect in God’s eyes.