PHI 413V Topic4 D2 Reflecting on the Analysis of the Sin of Suicide and Euthanasia
Reflect on the analysis of the sin of suicide and, thus, euthanasia from the topic readings. Do you agree? Why or why not? Refer to the lecture and topic readings in your response.
Reflecting on the Analysis of the Sin of Suicide and Euthanasia Sample
The Sin of Suicide and Euthanasia
Assisted suicide and euthanasia are bioethical issues that trigger varied perceptions from different worldviews, including medical and religious perspectives. Often, religions express concerns regarding the morality of medically terminating life in the event of incurable health conditions. According to Longe (2017), euthanasia entails the act of putting a patient to death by embracing painless medical interventions, including withholding medical treatment or life-prolonging mechanisms in cases of incurable conditions. On the other hand, assisted death entails a self-deliverance process where medical practitioners assist patients to take away their lives. Whether patients and healthcare professionals agree to end life via euthanasia or assisted suicide, such practices constitute killing according to various religions.
As a Christian, I believe that any form of medical intervention to end a patient’s life is a sin because the Bible instructs us against killing. Although pain and suffering may force patients and healthcare professionals to agree on painless procedures to end life, it is essential to consider God’s will to humans. According to Choudry et al. (2018), Christians’ perspective of end-of-life care relies massively upon two central arguments: upholding courage to face death because it allows people to encounter God: and perceiving life as a sacred aspect that belongs to God.
The first argument enhances faith, intrinsic motivation, and determination to endure suffering and contemplate the ultimate end of enjoying communion with God. The second perspective requires Christians to resist any action or procedure to end life because it contradicts God’s purpose and commandments. As a result, I believe in victory over death because Jesus Christ’s resurrection is a fundamental concept that harnesses my faith. Therefore, patients should not encourage euthanasia or assisted suicide because life is a sacred gift from God, and only he can take away human life.
References used
Choudry, M., Latif, A., & Warburton, K. (2018). An overview of the spiritual importance of end-of-life care among the five major faiths of the United Kingdom. Clinical Medicine, 18(1), 23-31. https://doi.org/10.7861/clinmedicine.18-1-23
Longe, J. (2017). The Gale encyclopedia of nursing and allied health (4th ed.). Cengage Learning.
