The use of euthanasia is a highly controversial point in both the world and Christian views. Varied opinions are held but God has given a strict directive that requires preservation of life until life yields itself giving way to death. Joni’s case is reviewed to elaborate on the Christian view and the worldview. A solution to this dilemma is provided and the intended consequences highlighted. Jainism believes that one can end their life at some time stands in opposition to the Christian view. Nonetheless, God's direction stands firm and sure and taking away of life is punishable in the laws of God.
Ethical Dilemma Summary
This case involves a 17-year-old Joni who became a victim of a crucial accident diving in the shallow water she assumed to be shallow and broke her vertebrae. The accident rendered her paralyzed in all limbs. The accident has caused her to undergo a period of depression due to her inability to operate normally and the reality that she will no longer have a normal life. She was contemplating suicide and requested for the administration of euthanasia to end her life.
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The ethical dilemma relates to whether to grant the wish or deny it. The patient is young and has a long way to go in terms of growth, development, and age. As a young person, there is the possibility she may be able to live longer but her condition has rendered her inefficient. One would sympathize with her and be tempted to grant her wish in order to end a possible long life of suffering and helplessness.
Core Beliefs
God in the Bible has made a clear position on the relation He has with humanity and the entire creation. Human beings were created in the image of God as God expressly states that “let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). The position elevates man above that of other creatures not as some may suppose that man has evolved from simple forms of an organism and thereby put man at some equal pedestal with lower forms ( Beville, 2014 ). After the fall, while entering into covenant with Noah, and in the sixth commandment, God condemned the taking of human life while he permits the sacrifice of animals and consumption of animal food. While giving commands to Israelites in the wilderness, He laid a distinction between premeditated murder and accidental murder and commanded that whoever commits a premeditated murder to be punished by death ( Beville, 2014 ). The principle clearly indicates that God does not desire murder in any form unless it is unintended but euthanasia is a premeditated killing. Overall, God values human life and has placed laws to protect it, which should be respected and followed.
Resolution
God has given Christians a directive that they should kill. Joni’s case must be solved in a manner that will not violate this law that preserves human life. Joni’s case may be solved in two stages. First, her condition should be examined whether the terminal state requires extraordinary measures unavailable to the family or has a hope of survival and recovery (Bretherton, 2017). Making this clear distinction will help in informing the next step to be made. Secondly, if her condition has been found to be terminal and that nothing much can be done about her situation A Christian approach may involve the use of a pain-relieving agent such as morphine (Jeffrey , 2009). The approach is justifiable and the treatment plan may be terminated at this point. The patient will eventually die at the appointed time but not through a willful killing and it will be a dignified death since all was done to save the life and nothing was done to take it away; it was just the end. In contrast, Joni may make a personal choice having evaluated her condition and seen that it is not worth spending money and energy to discontinue the treatment (Jeffrey, 2009).
Evaluation
In case Joni dies by a discontinuation of her medication, her death will not have been premeditated or enhanced by the actions of the doctor but the underlying cause will be Joni’s illness. It will be a relief on the side of the doctor and grant Joni a dignified death. Administration of painkillers will be beneficial to such a decision as it will relieve the great pain and give her repose to mediate with God in preparation for death as opposed to euthanasia that has multiple side effects that would worsen the condition of the patient ( Tännsjö, 2004 ).
To grant Joni euthanasia treatment with her consent will still be in violation of God’s law. The two, the doctor and Joni, will have premeditated to carry out a killing mission and the doctor will not be held guiltless even though the world may be of a contrary opinion. Even though the family will suffer long having their sick child around agonizing with her in her sickness, it will be worth it and they will do better to encourage her, admonish her and help her go through life jovially in her right senses rather than incapacitated more by euthanasia.
Comparison: Jainism and Christian Resolution
It has been noted that the Christian position does not allow the use of euthanasia as it is a form of killing or premeditated death. In contrast, Jainism allows its believers to take away their life should they deem it the right stage to deliver themselves from the cycle of life and be reborn again ( Beville, 2014 ). The main purpose of killing oneself is to obtain relief from the cycle of life, which may be causing suffering at that particular time. With this view, a Jainism believer will opt for euthanasia and die rather than prolong life.
Conclusion
Joni’s case presents a challenging dilemma in deciding whether to take the life of a terminally ill person who has decided to do so or let her live on in suffering knowing that she would eventually die. Euthanasia is not an acceptable practice in the Christian context given that it violates the laws of God and degrades man from the level that God has exalted him to the lowest level of lower animals without soul, body, and spirit ( Beville, 2014 ). To decide the fate of a patient, the patient’s condition must be examined whether it demands extraordinary treatment that may be expensive to obtain or pointless (Bretherton, 2017). In the Christian context, the patient may be placed under a painkiller to relieve their pain as they prepare for death (Jeffrey , 2009). Euthanasia must be avoided at all costs because it will worsen the condition of the patient through its undesirable side effects ( Tännsjö, 2004 ). However, this Christian view stands contrary to many worldviews such as Jainism that recommends taking away of life to end a suffering in order to be reborn . The Bible teaches about life after death but does not recommend the taking away of life as the way but faith in Christ Jesus as the only way.
References
Beville, K. (2014). Dying to kill: a Christian perspective on euthanasia and assisted suicide . New York, NY: Christian Publishing House
Bretherton, L. (2017). Hospitality as Holiness: Christian witness amid moral diversity . New York, NY: Routledge.
Jeffrey, D. (2009). Against physician-assisted suicide: a palliative care perspective . New York, NY: Radcliffe Publishing.
Tännsjö, T. (2004). Terminal Sedation: Euthanasia in Disguise? New York, NY: Springer Science & Business Media
