Abstract
A nurse is likely to face different worldviews constantly in their line of work. Such worldviews are often shaped by different religious and cultural beliefs. The question of euthanasia for patients with terminal illnesses lends itself to different worldviews and interpretations. George’s condition of ALS has forced him to consider euthanasia. From, a Christian standpoint, this choice is wrong because only God the Creator has the authority over life and death. Also, Buddhism does not favor euthanasia. The question of the causes of sickness also lends itself to religious interpretation. Christian interpretations are varied. One view is that sickness results from sin. This interpretation could point to sickness as a form of punishment. Also, sickness could also be an opportunity for God’s greatness to become apparent. Buddhist interpretations point to a failure on George’s part to balance out the body elements or his indulgence in the psychological poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance.
Introduction
Organized nursing grew out of a Christian-based worldview. The practice started in response to the teachings of Jesus and the example he set about caring for the sick (Dolan & Fitzpatrick, 1983). According to Shelly & Miller (2006), the role of the nurse also emerged from a Christian understanding of all human beings as created in God’s image and as, according to 1st Corinthians 3:16, the “temple of the Holy Spirit). Undoubtedly, the theological and philosophical underpinnings of nursing matter considerably. It is important to appreciate the diversity in theological and philosophical beliefs that appreciate amongst caregivers and patients. Having a good knowledge and readiness to respect this diversity is important in nursing. Such guidance is crucial to nursing because it prevents the loss of ethical behavior in practice. One of the ways one can identify the diversity surrounding the field of nursing is by examining how different religions or cultures have different worldviews. Specifically, between the two religions, differences can emerge from their interpretations of end-of-life decisions. This paper provides a distinction between the Christian and Buddhist religions in terms of their worldviews as well as their interpretations of a case study involving end-of-life decision-making.
Buddhism and Christianity have distinct worldviews in some regards, but similar in others. These differences and similarities become apparent in the exploration of seven questions on worldviews. The first questions involve the concept of prime reality. Christianity and Buddhism differ in terms of the concept of prime or ultimate reality. Buddhism is unique amongst other religions of the world. It envisages “Ultimate Reality,” differently. According to Buddhism, the “Ultimate Reality” is not a Supreme Being (God or The Almighty), but as a Supreme State known as nirvana. In Buddhism, There are no gods that are recognized as existing out of the confines of rebirth or to whom Buddhists may appeal as saviors. According to Buddhism, those seeking salvation may find it within themselves. This apparent absence of an idea of God has led many people to view Buddhism as a religion of “atheists”. Others believe that it is more of a philosophy than a religion. However, these views are incorrect. The “Supreme Being” in most religions and the “Supreme State” in Buddhism both represent the expression of a similar transcendent Reality which is absolutely perfect, and infinite (Temca.org, 2014). On the other hand, Christianity views the Ultimate Reality as a Supreme Being, God. In Christianity, God the Almighty created human beings, the world, and everything in it (Shelly & Miller, 2006). God is transcendent and immanent, triune, omniscient, good, and sovereign.
The second question that may help distinguish Christian worldviews from Buddhist ones examines the nature of external reality. “What is the nature of the world around us? What is the nature of external reality?” According to the Christian worldview, the world was created by God. Christians believe that God is the only explanation for world creation. Biblical Christianity is the faith that includes the story of God’s purpose: The redemption of humanity and the bringing of glory to himself. According to Christians, “God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1) The idea of creation is the starting point of all understanding of the entire cosmos and man’s place within it. On the other hand, Buddhism teaches that the world was not created. It simply existed and will continue to exist for eternity. The Buddha, in the Aganna Sutta, describes the world that was destroyed and re-involved into its current form after countless millions of years. According to this account, the first life-form developed on the surface of the water before evolving after millions of years of complex organisms. All these processes do not have a beginning or an end. They are only initiated and propagated by natural causes. Also, according to Buddhists, human energies and nature have been flowing together forever and are interdependent. There is no true description of the beginning of the world because the universe and human beings are infinite and will continue to appear and disappear in the universal structure.
The third question explores the definition of a human being: “What is a human being?” According to Christianity, a human being is a creature made in God’s image. As creatures made in God’s image, human beings are expected to obey God’s commandments and do according to his will. Humans are different from animals because they know the difference between right and wrong. They reign supreme on the earth over other beings. On the other hand, according to Buddhism, a human being is just an example of a being that has a mindstream. However, humans have a special standing. Only humans have the power to attain enlightenment. This enlightenment can be obtained from Suddhavasa deities.
Fourthly, the different Christian and Buddhist worldviews become apparent with regard to the question of death. “What becomes of a person upon dying?” According to the Christian worldview, after death, there is the possibility of joining God, the angels, and other righteous beings in heaven or ending up in hell for sinners who fail to repent or acknowledge God. For Buddhists, death can take three forms. These include the end of life, exhaustion of merit, or death at a time when one should not die (Buddhanet.net, 2010). However, the first type of death is the most important. In end of life, one dies after the life they have obtained in their past karma dies. It may be likened to a lamp that goes out once the fuel is consumed (Buddhanet.net, 2010).
According to Christianity, it is possible to know anything because humans are created in the Image of God, who is all-knowing. Further, wisdom begins when one fears God. “Fear,” in this case refers to the acknowledgment of God and worshipping him. Christians believe that once one has acknowledged God as the Supreme Being involved in all things, then they can begin to understand these things. In Buddhism, knowing anything is possible because humans have a mindstream. In Buddhism, knowledge is the attainment of enlightenment, which in turn leads the individual to a state of nirvana.
The knowledge of right and wrong according to Christianity emerges from human likeness to God. Humans know what is right and wrong, but unlike God, often falter and choose wrong things. In Buddhism, knowledge of right and wrong emerges from one’s innate capacity to do both right or wrong.
In Christianity, the meaning of human history is an account of events that enable one to realize God’s purposes. Through the human history events outlined in the Bible, one may find guidance. In Buddhism, human history does not have much meaning because life is part of a continuous chain of events with no end or beginning.
The case study of George’s illness brings to mind an important question: “Is the individual patient responsible for the decision of undertaking euthanasia?” Christianity and Buddhism differ in their interpretation of Euthanasia and why it is not the right choice to take for one who is suffering from a terminal illness. In George’s case, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) will definitely cause him to die in less than five years. However, from Christian standpoint, he should not request euthanasia. This view is based on the concept that life is given by God. Birth and death are life processes created by God and all humans must respect them. The authority of taking life belongs to God. Also, all humans, whether suffering or not, are valuable. From a Buddhist standpoint, euthanasia is wrong. It points to the fact that the individual has let their physical state control their mental state. Buddhism involves training one to always be in control of their physical state and everything in their environment. These views point to the fact that in both Christianity and Buddhism, George would not be advised to proceed with euthanasia. From a Christian standpoint, the decision to end life comes from God because life is a gift. Ending one’s life would be an affront to God not only because he has given the gift of life, but also because the authority to end life is His (Shelly & Miller, 2006). Also, according to Shelly & Miller (2006), there should be perseverance in hope from nurses as well as their patients. From a Buddhist standpoint, George would not have to be answerable to a Supreme Being for his decision, but it ultimately goes against Buddhist beliefs.
Secondly, Christianity and Buddhism have a shared view on the value of life for one who is suffering from a terminal illness. George’s disease will soon incapacitate him to the point where he can no longer perform physical duties and responsibilities. However, even at this state, George’s life is valuable. Christian nursing would let George know that his life is important because he was created in the likeness of God. The Christian nurse should be an embodiment of this belief by treating George as a person of great worth. Buddhist teachings dwell on the individual’s ability to attain enlightenment through their mental state. George can attain a state of nirvana even in his suffering and this ability makes his life very valuable. He can impact other people with his positive energy and make a difference in the world.
Buddhism and Christianity may interpret George’s sickness differently. From a Christian standpoint, sickness is part of God’s will and part of his plan to show his greatness. Sickness occurs in the absence of “shalom,” a concept highlighted in Revelation 21:2-4, as the state of being at peace in one’s relationships with God, oneself, other people, and nature. Also, according to Romans (5:12), sickness could also occur as a result of sin. George could be sick because of sinning and this interpretation would mean that he was being punished. However, there is a connection between healing and Christian salvation. According to Matthew 9:22, Jesus healed a woman was suffering from chronic vaginal bleeding because of her faith. (Shelly & Miller, 2006) From this view, Christians may view George’s sickness as a test of his faith in God or as an opportunity for God’s glory to become apparent. From a Buddhist standpoint, George’s sickness could be as a result of an imbalance in body elements or due to the psychological poisons of greed, ignorance, and anger. Buddhism views the human body as comprised of the four elements of water, earth, wind and fire. Imbalances in these four elements cause sicknesses. As such, George should regain health by balancing these four elements and allowing his chi (body energy) to circulate in his body unimpeded.
Conclusion
In nursing, different worldviews will always emerge in the nurse’s course of doing their job. Such worldviews are usually shaped by different religious and cultural beliefs. The question of euthanasia for patients with terminal illnesses usually arouses controversy. George’s condition of ALS has placed him in a position in which he wants to choose euthanasia. From, a Christian standpoint, this choice is wrong because only God has the authority over life and death. Similarly, a Buddhist standpoint disagrees with euthanasia. The question of the causes of sickness also lends itself to religious interpretation. Christian interpretations are varied. One view is that sickness results from sin. This interpretation could point to sickness as a form of punishment. In the second interpretation, sickness could also be an opportunity for God’s greatness to emerge and His purpose to be fulfilled. Buddhist interpretations point to a failure on George’s part to balance out the body elements or his indulgence in the psychological poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance. Personally, I believe in one’s right to euthanasia when death, suffering, and significant hospital bills are involved. Undoubtedly, effective nursing calls for one to be competent in accepting different worldviews.
References
Buddhanet.net, (2010). A Basic Buddhism Guide: Buddhism and the God-idea. Buddhanet.net. Retrieved 15 January 2017, from http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/qanda03.htm
Dolan, J. & Fitzpatrick, M. (1983). Nursing in society (1st ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders.
Shelly, J. A., & Miller, A. B. (2006). Called to care: A Christian worldview for nursing. Downers Grove, Ill: IVP Academic/InterVarsity Press.
Temca.org, (2014). Buddhism and the Other World Religions Regarding Ultimate Reality | The Edinburgh Muslim Community Association. Temca.org. Retrieved 15 January 2017, from http://temca.org/articles/buddhism-and-the-other-world-religions-regarding-ultimate-reality/
