Euthanasia: An Ethical Dilemma Essay
Throughout our lives, we are faced with hardships and dilemmas that we must somehow resolve or overcome. Influenced by one’s world view, the decisions that are made can have a significant impact on one’s life, some even life altering. The concept of Euthanasia which is the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma (Oxford Dictionary) brings up many different opinions depending on a person’s world view. I will examine the ethical dilemma of Euthanasia based the Christian world view, how it would be resolved and compare it to other worldviews.
Ethical Dilemma
Joni, a seventeen-year-old girl, has suffered a vertebrae fracture which leaves her paralyzed …show more content…
Theodicy or the defense of Gods goodness and power despite the presence of evil and suffering (DiVincenzo, 2014), is another claim one could make to influence Joni to not turn to euthanasia as the answer for her suffering. Those who endure suffering, which is all of mankind, will surely benefit from their experience, even if they don’t feel as though they will at the time. Romans 5.3-5 states “Not only so, but we[a] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (NIV). By persevering through rough time, one’s character may be strengthened and can increase their compassion so that they may be equipped to comfort others who suffer and help them to find hope.
Resolution
Supposing Joni is of Christian faith, she should act according to the Christian worldview and believe that this does not have to be the end. If God had intended for her to die from her injuries, she would not still be here. God has a plan for everything and though this misfortune may seem like nothing good will ever come from it, she survived for a reason. Joni must take her pain and suffering and transform it into motivation; motivation to prove herself wrong. This is a life worth living. Her old life may be gone and that’s a hard reality but it doesn’t mean that she can’t make a future for
Throughout our lives, we are faced with hardships and dilemmas that we must somehow resolve or overcome. Influenced by one’s world view, the decisions that are made can have a significant impact on one’s life, some even life altering. The concept of Euthanasia which is the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma (Oxford Dictionary) brings up many different opinions depending on a person’s world view. I will examine the ethical dilemma of Euthanasia based the Christian world view, how it would be resolved and compare it to other worldviews.
Ethical Dilemma
Joni, a seventeen-year-old girl, has suffered a vertebrae fracture which leaves her paralyzed …show more content…
Theodicy or the defense of Gods goodness and power despite the presence of evil and suffering (DiVincenzo, 2014), is another claim one could make to influence Joni to not turn to euthanasia as the answer for her suffering. Those who endure suffering, which is all of mankind, will surely benefit from their experience, even if they don’t feel as though they will at the time. Romans 5.3-5 states “Not only so, but we[a] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (NIV). By persevering through rough time, one’s character may be strengthened and can increase their compassion so that they may be equipped to comfort others who suffer and help them to find hope.
Resolution
Supposing Joni is of Christian faith, she should act according to the Christian worldview and believe that this does not have to be the end. If God had intended for her to die from her injuries, she would not still be here. God has a plan for everything and though this misfortune may seem like nothing good will ever come from it, she survived for a reason. Joni must take her pain and suffering and transform it into motivation; motivation to prove herself wrong. This is a life worth living. Her old life may be gone and that’s a hard reality but it doesn’t mean that she can’t make a future for