Case Study on Death and Dying

Case Study on Death and Dying Name Institutional Affiliation Case Study on Death and Dying How would George interpret his suffering with an emphasis on the fallenness of the world? George is a successful lawyer who is suffering from a hip injury, but when he visited a health care institution, the nurse suspected that he might be showing early symptoms for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a degenerative disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain as well as the spinal cord. After the initial examination, additional testing showed that George was suffering from this condition. ALS contributes to gradual and progressive deterioration of motor neuron and muscle atrophy, leading to a complete loss of muscle control. Moreover, continuous degeneration of muscles makes an individual to lack the ability to eat, speak, move, and eat. This implies that an individual would be bound to the wheelchair, and life expectancy is reduced to between three and four years. Such loss of power and dignity, as well as torture, has made George contemplate the possibility of voluntary euthanasia. According to Sullivan and Taylor (2018), euthanasia can be defined as an act an of killing an individual painlessly or allowing an individual to die by withholding medication in a situation where one is suffering from a chronic disease that is incurable. From a Christian perspective with an emphasis on the fallness of the world, Christians are advised against choosing euthanasia or assisted suicide, and this implies that George should interpret his suffering as part of life. A believer who has been baptized, has repented, and received the Holy Spirit, taking one’s life is ungodly even when one is suffering from a chronic disease. Evidence indicates that with the advancement of medical technology, it is possible for an individual to live his end days without undue pain even when suffering from a chronic disease (Shah & Mushtaq, 2014). Therefore, the body would cease naturally, and a person would die without the disease-causing death. In Roman 8:28, God has promised that his works will work well for all individuals who love him. Therefore, George should believe that his trials and sufferings will come to an end since God causes good things to happen even from sufferings that are experienced by believers. How would George interpret his suffering with an emphasis on the hope of resurrection? From a Christian perspective, George should understand that there is life after death and this implies that assistant euthanasia should not be considered as a means of ending the suffering that he is going through (Buttenshaw, 2019). Studies have shown that modern medicine has the ability to drastically reduce the pain associated with chronic diseases. Therefore, George should note that the hope of resurrection can only be guaranteed when he bases his belief in God and desists from taking his own life. Traditionally, assisted suicide has been opposed taking into consideration that this act tends to go against legal and religious codes. Of particular significance is the Hippocratic tradition of non-maleficence. From a legal, social, and Christian perspective, there is an ethical perspective of "do no harm," and this philosophy has also been emphasized by the...