Spirituality

How would each religion interpret the nature of George’s malady and suffering? Is there a “why” to his disease and suffering? (i.e., is there a reason for why George is ill, beyond the reality of physical malady?)

Budisms see life as suffering, it’s only by deeds that you can reach Nirvana, a state of the highest meditation. This is the worst fear that you could be at.

In christianity God doesn’t believe in a punishment, it’s a trial or a test that we go through. God loves all, including the sinner.

In George’s analysis of his own life, how would each religion think about the value of his life as a person, and value of his life with ALS?

In the Buddists view, there will be a rebirth. Death is not feared, Nirvana should be reached.

In the Christian view, the human life is of value.

What sorts of values and considerations would each religion focus on in deliberating about whether or not George should opt for euthanasia?

Given the above, what options would be morally justified under each religion for George and why?

Finally, present and defend your own view.

Christianity

What is prime reality and is it– real? To this we might answer God, or the gods, or the material cosmos.

What is the nature of external reality, that is, the world around us? Here our answers point to whether we see the world as created or autonomous, as chaotic or orderly, as matter or spirit, or whether we emphasize our subjective, personal relationship to the world or its objectivity apart from us.

What is a human being? To this we might answer a highly complex machine, a sleeping god, a person made in the image of God, a “naked ape.”

What happens to a person at death? Here we might reply personal extinction, or transformation to a higher state, or reincarnation, or departure to a shadowy existence on “the other side.”

Why is it possible to know anything at all? Sample answers include the idea that we are made in the image of an all-knowing God or that consciousness and rationality developed under the contingencies of survival in a long process of evolution.

How do we know what is right and wrong? Again, perhaps we are made in the image of a God whose character is good; or right and wrong are determined by human choice alone or what feels good; or the notions of simply developed under an impetus toward cultural or physical survival.

What is the meaning of human history? To this we might answer, to realize the purpose of God or the gods, to make a paradise on earth, to prepare a people for a life in community with a loving and holy God, and so forth.5

Buddahism

–What is prime reality – the really real? he Buddhist worldview is basically monistic. The existence of a personal creator and Lord is denied. The world operates by natural power and law, not divine command.

–What is the nature of external reality, that is, the world around us? The world functions on natural law, not by divine command.The cornerstone of Buddhist philosophy is the view that all life is suffering. Everyone is subject to the traumas of birth, sickness, decrepitude, and death; to what they most dread (an incurable disease or an ineradicable personal weakness), as well as separation from what they love.Here our answers point to whether we see the world as created or autonomous, as chaotic or orderly, as matter or spirit, or whether we emphasize our subjective, personal relationship to the world or its objectivity apart from us.

–What is a human being? A man is worthless in the Buddist religion, until he reaches Nirvana.

–What happens to a person at death? Buddhists believe in a cycle of death and rebirth called samsara. Through karma and eventual enlightenment, they hope to escape samsara and achieve nirvana, an end to suffering.

–Why is it possible to know anything at all? Sample answers include the idea that we are made in the image of an all-knowing God or that consciousness and rationality developed under the contingencies of survival in a long process of evolution.

How do we know what is right and wrong? The Noble Eight-fold Path

1.Right belief: recognition and understanding of the Four Noble Truths.

2.Right intention: the disciple sets himself to the single-minded pursuit of the goal and makes this his aim.

3.Right speech: watching one’s words and seeking to avoid deceptive and uncharitable speech, idle chatter, and gossip.

4.Right action: avoidance of wrongdoing; behavior to be motivated by selflessness and charity.

5.Right livelihood: not following an occupation which would cause harm to other beings.

6.Right effort: patient striving to prevent and eliminate evil impulses and to foster and develop good ones.

7.Right mindfulness: seeking self-awareness through steady attention to thoughts, feelings, and actions.

8.Right concentration: combines with right effort and right mindfulness in the spiritual discipline which enables the disciple to overcome all that holds him back in his search for nirvana.

–What is the meaning of human history? They believe in rebirth, that once we day we will refigure into something else

1. Respect for autonomy − A principle that requires respect for the decision making capacities of autonomous persons:

2. Nonmaleficence − A principle requiring that people not cause harm to others.

3. Beneficence − A group of principles requiring that people prevent harm, provide benefits, and balance benefits against risks and costs.

4. Justice − A group of principles requiring fair distribution of benefits, risks and costs.

What is prime reality – the really real? To this we might answer God, or the gods, or the material cosmos.

What is the nature of external reality, that is, the world around us? Here our answers point to whether we see the world as created or autonomous, as chaotic or orderly, as matter or spirit, or whether we emphasize our subjective, personal relationship to the world or its objectivity apart from us.

What is a human being? To this we might answer a highly complex machine, a sleeping god, a person made in the image of God, a “naked ape.”

What happens to a person at death? Here we might reply personal extinction, or transformation to a higher state, or reincarnation, or departure to a shadowy existence on “the other side.”

Why is it possible to know anything at all? Sample answers include the idea that we are made in the image of an all-knowing God or that consciousness and rationality developed under the contingencies of survival in a long process of evolution.

How do we know what is right and wrong? Again, perhaps we are made in the image of a God whose character is good; or right and wrong are determined by human choice alone or what feels good; or the notions of simply developed under an impetus toward cultural or physical survival.

What is the meaning of human history? To this we might answer, to realize the purpose of God or the gods, to make a paradise on earth, to prepare a people for a life in community with a loving and holy God, and so forth.5