Values and Considerations the Christian Worldview Focus on in Deliberating about Whether or Not George Should opt for Euthanasia
The values the Christian worldview to consider when making a decision if George should undergo euthanasia or not, is the suffering is inherent in the life of human beings and the same way Jesus suffered, people ought to accept suffering and let the will of God to happen, just like Jesus did (Shelly & Miller, 2009). When Jesus was crucified on the cross, he suffered immensely before he died and he even asked God to take away the suffering He was experiencing if it was His will. It is, therefore, the will of God for George to experience the current disease, and thus George should accept the suffering and ask God to provide him with the strength to carry on. Moreover, since God sometimes uses suffering to bring human beings closer to Him, George should try to figure out God’s teachings through his sickness (Meilaender, 2013).
The belief of life after death is a major determining factor in how an individual views imminent death (Meilaender, 2013). Christianity views pain and death as the will of God and the resurrection of Jesus as the hope that there is life after death. Therefore, George is supposed to perceive his life and sickness as the will of God over his life. God is the giver of life and only He should take away George’s life.
Options that Would be Morally Justified in the Christian Worldview for George and Why
The option that is morally justified for George as per the Christian worldview is for him to continue bearing the suffering and continue living until when God decides to take away the pain and suffering through death. Accordingly, the Christian worldview does not support euthanasia as an option. Life is a gift from God and thus euthanasia equates to interfering with God’s plans for a human being and this is both morally wrong and unacceptable in Christianity. Suffering is also inherent for all human beings, being even Jesus suffered immensely while on earth so euthanasia is not an option for any suffering Christian (Shelly & Miller, 2009).
My Decision if in George’s Situation
Despite being a Christian, in case I was experiencing George’s suffering from a very painful and disabling disease like ALS, I would consider the option of voluntary euthanasia. Euthanasia is against the teachings of Christianity; however, as a nurse, I witness patients experiencing so much suffering especially when facing terminal diseases. Accordingly, I would not want to undergo such pain and suffering in the face of unavoidable death in the option of euthanasia is available. The Bible indicates that God is very forgiving and understanding and hence no sin is unforgivable, including euthanasia.
Conclusion
From Christian’s perspective, life is a priceless gift from God and only the creator should take away life. Suffering is a part and parcel of a human being and God uses suffering to bring humanity closer to him and make them turn away from sin. From the Christian perspective, George ought to accept his disease condition and the ensuing suffering as God’s will and try to figure out what God is teaching him through the sickness. In Christianity, euthanasia is a morally wrong option for George. End of Life Decisions/ Death and Dying Case study.
References
Meilaender G. (2013). Bioethics: A Primer for Christians, 3rd Edition. Michigan: Eerdmans.
Saybey B. (2016). Definitions of death: brain death and what matters in a person. J Law Biosci. 3(3), 743–752.