DEATH
What is Death?
Death is the termination of the biological functions that
define a living organism. It refers both to a particular event and to the
condition that results thereby. The true nature of the latter has, for
millennia, been a central concern of the world's religious traditions and
of philosophical enquiry. Belief in some kind of afterlife or rebirth is a
central aspect of many religious traditions.
What are some of life/death issues?
Issues Related to Reproduction
It has been stated that approximately ten to fifteen
percent of all married couples in the United States and Canada are
infertile, while an additional ten percent have fewer children than they
desire. As in the case of various Old Testament characters,
childlessness can become a burden to individuals or couples today. In
the past there was little to be done to cure or correct infertility. Now,
however, with the modern advances of medical technology, these
people have various options to choose from in order to have children
to call their own. These options include artificial insemination, in vitro
fertilization, embryo transplant, and surrogate mothering. There are,
however, moral and ethical implications involved in these procedures
that make them unsuitable.
Issues Related to Death
Abortion
While infanticide is legally and socially treated as murder
and few in our culture would approve of it, the killing of unborn infants
(often called fetuses in order to still the conscience and minimize the
social stigma) has become both legally and socially acceptable. For
some women, unmarried and married, abortion is just another form of
birth control.
The truth is that the Scripturally unlawful taking of human
life is always murder, whether it be that of the unborn embryo, fetus,
or infant, or that of the supposedly useless members of society such
as the handicapped and aged. Abortion is murder. It violates the
sacredness of human life--life conceived in the image of God.
Life begins at conception--both physical life and eternal
existence. God is the giver of that life (although few realize that) and
only He has the right to take the life of the unborn. The question is not
at what stage in the development of the unborn child abortion is
permissible (the first, second, or third trimester), but when life begins.
Logically and Scripturally we are driven to the conclusion that life
begins at conception (not the day after or the hundredth day after:
Psalm 139:13-16; Luke 1:35) and that the unborn infant is a person
with all the potential of normal human development (Luke 1:36, 41,
44).
This being true, the use of any means of birth control that
would prevent the embryo's developing in the uterus, such as the
I.U.D. and certain drugs, would be morally wrong as this would be
abortion in the earliest possible stage even though the woman may
not know that abortion is occurring at that time. Also morally wrong
would be the taking of the life of the unborn even when continuing the
pregnancy to term would either really or supposedly endanger the life
of the mother. That would be abortion nonetheless, and abortion is
murder. Such situations call for complete submission to God and His
will to provide a satisfactory answer to such as moral dilemma.
Euthanasia
As Christians we believe that life is a gift form God and
that the sustaining and terminating of that life are equally under His
control. We believe the life is more than mere biological existence, and
that man has also an undying soul housed within his mortal body.
Death of the body releases the soul to its eternal destiny.
Since life is by God's prerogative, we believe that the
cessation of life must also be by His design. We believe, according to
the Scripture, that it is morally wrong for one person to take the life of
another (Exodus 20:13; I John 3:15).
Our society is becoming more and more morally perverse
in regard to the sanctity of life. With the legalizing of abortion, the
ensuing low view of life is reaching into still other areas of man's
existence. "The right to die," "dying with dignity," and other such
concepts dealing with quality and value of life are pervading the
thinking of our society.
One such concept is called euthanasia, or "mercy killing."
Euthanasia is the practice of deliberately easing into death an
individual who is suffering from a painful or incurable disease or
handicap. The request for such a death may be a voluntary one by the
suffering individual, or from one who is legally responsible for such an
individual. Either is morally unacceptable, being in the first case
tantamount to suicide, and in the second, murder.
A related facet is passive euthanasia, or the withholding of
life-giving sustenance, as in the starving of a newborn having a
congenital defect or the withholding of reasonable life support from a
terminally ill patient.
From acceptance of euthanasia in these medically related
areas, it is but a small step to the justification for putting away socially
or financially burdensome individuals to alleviate responsibility for their
care. Such death by design is nothing short of murder and should be
an unthinkable option for any morally guided individual or society.
In addition to the moral implications of euthanasia there
are also social implications to consider, such as the lessening of
respect for the sick, the elderly, the handicapped, as well as for life
itself. There would also, undoubtedly, be a deterioration in the
provision of health care for such individuals. Society would degenerate
to a survival of the strongest, the most capable, the most useful.
The disposition of life is far too sacred to be entrusted to
capricious human control. It must be left in the hands of God, with a
corresponding acceptance on man's part that God doeth all things well.
Living Wills
The problem of having the "right to die" is an ethical issue
resulting from modern medical technology. Today biological life can be
maintained for months and years after the brain has ceased to
function. The question is, do we keep the physical body going even
after the person we once knew is no longer "there"? Answers to this or
similar questions are not easy. We have no historical or Biblical
precedent on such issues. As Christians we believe that only God can
give life and only God should take life.
The "right to die" is a different issue than euthanasia. It is
not the "right" to an easy, pain-free death. Neither is it the "right" to
will one's own suicide. Basically it is the right to die a natural death in
the event a person is afflicted with a terminal illness and the attending
physician has determined that there can be no recovery and that death
is imminent. Consequently he does not want to be placed on a support
system which effects an unnatural existence and merely prolongs
death. For such a person the "living will" may prove useful.
We live in an age of specialization, when more and more
patients are being treated by physicians whom they do not know very
well. The "living will" is a written document which speaks for the
patient if he becomes incompetent and helps protect the physician
from legal liability. Many states now have laws requiring compliance
with "living will" documents executed in advance by competent adults.
Efforts are being made to effect uniform "living will" laws for the
nation.
These laws are binding upon the physician so that if he
does not wish to observe the "will" he must cooperate in transferring
the patient to another physician.
While many Christians may never need a "living will" it
does an issue deserve serious thought ahead of time. Even though
another person can sign as proxy for a terminally ill patient, it is better
for a person to sign his own statement while he is emotionally and
mentally competent. Therefore anyone considering signing a "living
will" should discuss the matter with the immediate family well in
advance, so there can be mutual understanding and consent in the
event such a document is needed.
Donation of Organs and the Body
With the advent of organ transplants, the need for many
body organs has grown greatly. Most such organs must be taken from
people who have recently died, usually within thirty minutes or so of
death. The state has made easy provisions for people to donate any
organs they wish or to donate the whole body for research. One simply
fills out a donor card in the presence of witnesses. Most states make
such provisions on drivers' licenses.
The donation of organs or the body for such purposes is
certainly in harmony with Scriptural teaching on loving and helping our
neighbor. Donations for transplants should not be looked upon,
however, as some way to achieve immortality but as a gesture of life
to someone in need. We know of nothing in God's Word which would
prevent us from donating our dead bodies to medical science.
If the whole body is donated, the state normally cremates
the body after it has served its purposes. The state then holds a
funeral service (in addition to any memorial service the family may
have had). In most cases it is possible for the family to request the
body to be returned for their own family funeral.
We view the living body of the Christian as the temple of
the Holy Spirit. However, death is the separation of the soul and spirit
from the earthly body, and our bodies return to the dust of the earth
from whence they came. While we should give the body due respect,
we find no Biblical grounds for placing undue value upon a corpse
destined for decay even though that body has been, in life, the
dwelling place of the Spirit of God.
Society & Culture
Death is the center of many traditions and organizations,
and is a feature of every culture around the world. Much of this
revolves around the care of the dead, as well as the afterlife and the
disposal of bodies upon the onset of death. The disposal of human
corpses does, in general, begin with the last offices before significant
time has passed, and ritualistic ceremonies often occur, most
commonly interment or cremation. This is not a unified practice,
however, as in Tibet for instance the body is given a sky burial and left
on a mountain top. Proper preparation for death and techniques and
ceremonies for producing the ability to transfer one's spiritual
attainments into another body (reincarnation) are subjects of detailed
study in Tibet. Mummification or embalming is also prevalent in some
cultures, to retard the rate of decay.
Legal aspects of death are also part of many cultures, particularly the
settlement of the deceased estate and the issues of inheritance and in
some countries, inheritance taxation.
Capital punishment is also a culturally divisive aspect of
death. In most jurisdictions where capital punishment is carried out
today, the death penalty is reserved for premeditated murder,
espionage, treason, or as part of military justice. In some countries,
sexual crimes, such as adultery and sodomy, carry the death penalty,
as do religious crimes such as apostasy, the formal renunciation of
one's religion. In many retentionist countries, drug trafficking is also a
capital offense. In China human trafficking and serious cases of
corruption are also punished by the death penalty. In militaries around
the world courts-martial have imposed death sentences for offenses
such as cowardice, desertion, insubordination, and mutiny.
Death in warfare and in suicide attack also have cultural
links, and the ideas of dulce et decorum est pro patria mori, mutiny
punishable by death, grieving relatives of dead soldiers and death
notification are embedded in many cultures. Recently in the western
world, with the supposed increase in terrorism following the
September 11 attacks, but also further back in time with suicide
bombings, kamikaze missions in World War II and suicide missions in a
host of other conflicts in history, death for a cause by way of suicide
attack, and martyrdom have had significant cultural impacts.
Suicide in general, and particularly euthanasia, are also
points of cultural debate. Both acts are understood very differently in
different cultures. In Japan, for example, ending a life with honor by
seppuku was considered a desirable death, whereas according to
traditional Christian and Islamic cultures, suicide is viewed as a sin.
Death is personified in many cultures, with such symbolic
representations as the Grim Reaper, Azrael and Father Time.
Facing One’s Own Death
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1678129,0
0.html
The thought of dying often times evokes fear and
apprehension in people. Thinking of others dying can make our own
mortality seem very real. Research has shown that dying people are
even ostracized from society, even avoided by close friends and
family.
In light of this, it is easy to see why many dying patients
report feeling isolated and alone. This is certainly not the type of death
most of us would choose. Being surrounded by friends and loved ones
is how the majority of us would choose to spend our last months or
days.
Why is it so Difficult?
There are several reasons many people have a difficult
time interacting with a dying person including not wanting to face the
reality of their own death, not having the time to become involved,
and not having the emotional reserves to deal with such an intense
situation. Feelings of guilt over whether they could have done
something to prevent or cure an illness, or over how their relationship
with that person has been recently may also cause someone to avoid a
dying person.
When someone is having a difficult time interacting with a
dying person, it often manifests as avoidance of them, difficulty
speaking with them, difficulty maintaining eye contact, and keeping a
physical distance from them. These are likely to be perceived by the
person who is dying.
Factors that may complicate an already difficult situation
are whether the cause of death is viewed as socially acceptable or not
(i.e. heart failure vs. AIDS), whether the death is perceived as “on-
time” or not (i.e. an elderly person vs. a child), and where they die
(i.e. a nursing home vs. their own home). Because everyone dies
differently, the dying person may evoke more avoidance due to their
level of pain or distressing symptoms and how they cope with them.
Some dying people may not want to engage in full conversations but
prefer brief, succinct communication. These things can increase the
discomfort loved ones already feel.
Bridging the Gap
On one side, you have family and friends that are fearful
or uncomfortable being around a dying loved one and on the other, the
dying person feeling abandoned, isolated, and alone. How do we
bridge that gap to bring these people together? Open communication
is the easiest and best way to bridge that gap.
Let the dying person know you are feeling fearful or
uncomfortable, or whatever emotion it is that you have. They’re going
to figure it out anyway! It will let them know that you are taking steps
to get past it and to give them what they need the most during this
time.
Ask the dying person what they need or expect from you.
Some dying people will want to talk very openly about their illness and
their impending death. Others will want to avoid talking about it and
choose to focus more on fond memories or their loved ones lives. Both
are okay but knowing what it is the dying person wants to talk about
during your interactions will go a long way. Some will not want to talk
at all but may want you at their side to hold their hand, read them a
book, or just to feel your presence.
Be honest about what you can offer. If they want you to
visit daily and you can’t fit it into your schedule or don’t feel like you
can handle that much emotional strain, let them know. Tell them what
they can expect from you like, “Bob, I understand that you want me to
visit you every day. I want to visit you as much as I can but every day
may not be possible. I will be sure to visit you every Monday,
Wednesday, and Saturday and if I can fit any extra days in, I will do
it.” The important thing is to not make a promise that can’t keep.
Also, be honest about what you feel comfortable talking
about. Just because the dying person wants to be open and frank
about what is happening to them, you may not feel comfortable
discussing every detail. Let them know if this is the case. Once
everyone’s needs and expectations are in the open, the process of
compromise can begin. Finding a place where everyone is comfortable
and getting their needs met will help make interacting with the dying
person a special experience that you can treasure.
Coping with the death of someone
How do you cope with the loss of a loved one?
So, you’ve lost a spouse, mother, father, child or sibling and you’re
feeling numb.
What you do next, in both the short term and the long term, will have
a direct impact on your mental, physical and spiritual well being.
It can make the difference between long days of depression and a
manageable lifestyle in the days and years ahead.
Cry for Your Loss
Don’t buy into the myth, especially if you’re a guy that you
have to act a certain way. It is natural to cry. And, listen to this: it is
necessary to cry.
There’s an old expression that says that crying is pain
leaving the body. There’s a lot of truth to that.
Talk about Your Loved One
There’s no lonelier feeling than the one in the pit of your
stomach about a month after the funeral. It seems like that loved one
is still very much in your life, tugging at your heart strings daily. But,
it also seems like the rest of the world has gone on with the daily
routine.
Find someone, a dear friend, who is comfortable with the
conversation and talk about that person. It’s a necessary part of the
grieving process. You want everyone to know the quirks of dear old
dad and it’s really more for you than it is for them.
Honor the Memory of the Deceased
The dates on the calendar are tough. Birthdays,
anniversaries, Christmas, they all hurt, especially the first time
around.
Especially during the first year, find a way to make them
(or their memory) part of those special days. Eat at their favorite
restaurant, buy a gift for a family member in their honor, do
something that sparks an old memory.
Allow for Time to Heal
The frown won’t change in a second. It will take time. At
first, when you remember your loved one, it’s going to hurt. Honoring
them will help because it will help you feel like the memory is alive,
even when the person is not.
At some later date, you will remember them with a smile
and a fond memory. That happens at a different time for everyone.
Your time will come. But don’t try to rush it.
Think About Their Wishes
What would they want you to do? They probably wouldn’t
want you sitting around feeling sorry for yourself. This will be hard in
the beginning. But, as time begins to heal, think of ways to live your
life that will honor the loved one. Being the best you can be, knowing
that they are counting on you to do that will help. You can go on with
your life and bring them with you. That’s what they’d want.
