The Christian worldview would not offer euthanasia as a solution to any given life. This is because it focuses on the sanctity of life and considers euthanasia as suicide. Christianity perceives life as a gift from God from conception. Bogue et al. (2022) note that for Christians, God is the sustainer of life and as a gift, he can take it away when he wants.
Therefore, taking away life is defying God’s will to live. Additionally, the Christian worldview also focuses on imago Dei which means the image of God. This means that regardless of any shortcomings whether physical, cognitive, emotional, or psychological humans are intrinsically valuable. Therefore, suffering from a disease such as ALS does not limit the natural worth of human life (Gonçalves et al., 2022). It is also notable the Christian worldview argues that Christians are stewards of their bodies and therefore they should try to seek their end but instead care for them the best way they can. In the position of the patient with ALS, this includes going to therapy and following treatments prescribed by doctors. Christianity also focuses on the importance of growth and suffering. Notably, suffering is crucial in deepening faith and increasing reliance on God. Therefore, there is more to be gained in sickness than just suffering. Focusing on a person’s inherent worth regardless of their physical shortcomings, Christianity has been emphasizing compassion and dignity. This means that health practitioners and caretakers should offer comfort and care to patients during their illness (Londral, 2022). Additionally, they should focus on the individual’s dignity and avoid aggressive treatment that aims to prolong a person’s suffering. With this in mind, the patient is guaranteed that even in suffering they will not be alone, and they will always be taken care of. Especially in the case of this patient, it is evident that he has been active in the community and therefore reciprocity, respect, and empathy will come naturally to the people around him. |
Suffering in a Christian worldview is integral in decision-making for Christians. A Christian can have two perspectives and through them, they can decide on the choices they can take at any given position. One perspective on suffering is considering it as a test and refinement of themselves.
When Christians see suffering as a test of their faith, they can persevere through more pain without losing hope or complaining. Furthermore, they can increase their reliance on God, and further refine their character but shunning from sin and seeking God’s strength (Bogue et al., 2022). Considering this view in the patient suffering from ALS, he might be willing to persevere and experience more treatments, which he will view as a test of faith in God. Another perspective of suffering is compassion and empathy. Christians understand that we should be empathetic and compassionate to those who are suffering. This means that as a Christian, one should always be ready to help alleviate the suffering of other people for the greater glory of God and because human beings are inherently worthy regardless of their situation. When considering deliberating the choices for an ALS patient, they might therefore consider treatments that improve their comfort instead of complicated treatments. Suffering in the Christian worldview is based on the concept of life after death. Therefore, a person might be willing to suffer as they prepare for the eternal life. This will give them a good chance to enhance their faith in God, and even prepare themselves spiritually for the afterlife. As a result, the ALS patient can perceive suffering as a chance to give up sin and live solely for the kingdom of life (Mijatović, 2021). This will improve their relationship with other people, themselves, and most importantly their relationship with God. As a result, even if they are suffering, they will be focusing on the afterlife and therefore they will be at peace regardless of the outcomes of their illness. |
As a Christian, I would accompany the individual and empathize with their situation differently. One way is through spiritual support, while I might not be able to reduce their suffering I can pray with them, and even read the scripture together to offer them comfort.
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