How would each religion interpret the nature of Georges malady and suffering

Religion forms the foundation of existence for most people and it is no wonder that religious beliefs greatly influence our decisions (Cavadini, 2018). It is therefore vital that religious beliefs are included in the course of patient care to ensure a holistic approach that covers all patient needs. The case study provided involves the protagonist George, who is diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): a terminal illness. The disease has no cure presently and as such throws the elite George into a spin. He is not certain of the future as he contemplates fighting the terminal illness or submitting to voluntary euthanasia. It is also worth noting that health care experts possessing various values as well as beliefs considerably impact the care cycle.

This paper analyzes the fundamental Christian and Buddhism values, exploring the various practices and the manner in which they influence the decisions made by patients. The paper reviews the care provided to patients and goes into length to analyze how the two beliefs perceive issues such as distress, life and contemporary practices brought about in the paper like euthanasia. The process of reviewing Christianity and Buddhism with respect to their life perceptions helps in better understanding the religions and how they justify their actions. It is thus inspiring to understand the various opinions surrounding humanity, suffering and death. The concept reveals that we suffer due to the fact that the world does not work in the manner we wish and through the fact that our lives never adapt to expectations (Kawada and Hashimoto 2016).

Furthermore, human beings hold preconceived notions that never conform to reality hence causing suffering. It is thus worth concluding that Buddhists would be contended with the notion that George was rather upset with the illness as it would hinder his life expectations hence resorted to voluntary euthanasia. The third concept enhances human beings to address the issue of craving in order to address the issue of suffering. It is through controlling our expectations that Buddhist adherents can enjoy the famous cessation dukkha cessation (Kawada and Hashimoto 2016). The theological concept reveals of the scriptural disconnect which brings about entropy. According to scriptures in the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve are created and put in the Garden of Eden where they walk with God’s presence until they decide to sin against him and are thus separated from God (The holy bible, 1989).

Christianity describes the nature of God as being that of perfect justice and one filled with love and mercy. Sin is regarded as a serious offence as it separated man from God. It is thus a serious basis of interest among Christians whereby George’s illness could be speculated to be a punishment from God. It would thus be against the Holy Scriptures to fathom voluntary euthanasia. George would thus be advised to keep fighting as his life is predetermined through his destiny. He never knows if he would be the first one to pull through the situation or he may live to fight through the suffering. The aspect of voluntary euthanasia would thus be inappropriate to fathom as it would go against the value of sacred life.

On the other hand, the Buddhists also draw some similarity with Christians in some aspects as they also regard life as being sacred. The four pillars of Noble truths encourage adherents to be strong and avoid much expectations (Lin, 2016). George would be counseled to let go off all his expectations and accept life as it comes. The feelings of voluntary euthanasia would be attributed to a lot of expectations which seem to be crumbling down with the illness. Finally, present and defend your own view. In my view, both religions offer meaningful teachings regarding human suffering. Physician-Assisted Suicide and Voluntary Euthanasia: How Not to Die as a Christian. Kawada, Y. , & Hashimoto, S. I. Medical Ethics and Buddhism—A Focus on Euthanasia and Death with Dignity.