Death is a universal word which many people can easily acknowledge, though there are many meanings to it and they can vary with each religion. The most common groups that define it is biblical, philosophical, and medical. In many religions, each have something to say about death and how for some it isn’t the end. An example of this is in the Christian bible, “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:46 ESV) (Robert Driskell). In many Christian religions, the idea of death isn’t just about the physical effects but the spiritual as well, they have faith on the afterlife and for them death would only be a separation of their body, their soul will move onto the next stage which some hope;
…show more content…
These are well known examples of death. Although, it does make one think of another concept that could be similar to it and that is a coma. Being in a coma can be defined as, “a prolonged state of unconsciousness. During a coma, a person is unresponsive to his or her environment. The person is alive and looks like he or she is sleeping. However, unlike in a deep sleep, the person cannot be awakened by any stimulation, including pain.” (WebMD) There are many debates on this, and if keeping someone in this state is humane for them or would unplugging life support be for the best. Being in a coma, life and death aren’t in your hands anymore, but those of your loved ones. Which is why diagnosed as one would be as if you are dead to the world, since you are unable to say or do anything. Although, death is permanent as soon as it happens, but that isn’t necessarily the case for a coma since, “patients in a coma may be in a deep coma or may survive in what is termed a “brain dead.” Brain death is defined as irreversible cessation of all brain functions, including the brain stem. Death may be declared in an individual who has sustained brain death.” (BlackDoctor.org1) Coma’s are different from death, but because of the state the people are in, they are also the ones who could be considered the closest to death, but a family’s hope that the person would recover which is why many keep them on life support. Although, it becomes another story when, “once a patient is declared brain dead, the family usually opts to remove uncomfortable tubes and machines quickly. “Pulling the plug” would render the patient unable to breathe, and the heart would stop beating within minutes.” (Jessica Ryen Doyle) The concept of a coma is similar to death, but also it can contrast with it because in a coma, death is yet to be declared but they can be just as
These are well known examples of death. Although, it does make one think of another concept that could be similar to it and that is a coma. Being in a coma can be defined as, “a prolonged state of unconsciousness. During a coma, a person is unresponsive to his or her environment. The person is alive and looks like he or she is sleeping. However, unlike in a deep sleep, the person cannot be awakened by any stimulation, including pain.” (WebMD) There are many debates on this, and if keeping someone in this state is humane for them or would unplugging life support be for the best. Being in a coma, life and death aren’t in your hands anymore, but those of your loved ones. Which is why diagnosed as one would be as if you are dead to the world, since you are unable to say or do anything. Although, death is permanent as soon as it happens, but that isn’t necessarily the case for a coma since, “patients in a coma may be in a deep coma or may survive in what is termed a “brain dead.” Brain death is defined as irreversible cessation of all brain functions, including the brain stem. Death may be declared in an individual who has sustained brain death.” (BlackDoctor.org1) Coma’s are different from death, but because of the state the people are in, they are also the ones who could be considered the closest to death, but a family’s hope that the person would recover which is why many keep them on life support. Although, it becomes another story when, “once a patient is declared brain dead, the family usually opts to remove uncomfortable tubes and machines quickly. “Pulling the plug” would render the patient unable to breathe, and the heart would stop beating within minutes.” (Jessica Ryen Doyle) The concept of a coma is similar to death, but also it can contrast with it because in a coma, death is yet to be declared but they can be just as