Facing the Face of Death in Serenity: Learning from Abrahamic Religion

Abstract

You and everyone you’ve ever known someday will die with a certainty. Death is a topic which relevant to us, and yet it isn’t pleasant to talk about. Western societies embrace individualism that promotes the personal autonomy of the dying. IOM defined a “good death” as “one that is free from avoidable suffering for patients.” Suffering is a state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship. There are 3 types of sufferings: physical, mental, and spiritual. Is it then realistically possible to have a death that is free from suffering? According to research conducted by Pew Research Center on Religion, Abrahamic Religion counted as the largest religion totaling 55.3 % of the world population. Its followers believe that God created mankind in His own image. As life is precious, holy and sacred, only God has the authority to give and take life. Augustine of Hippo, a fourth-century philosopher believed as creations there is a natural longing to join the Creator. For that humans have to go through physical death before being able to join God eternally in spirit.

When we have faith as a foundation to be based on, we accept physical death as a way to join our Creator. Thus, we are able to free ourselves from distress and hardship. We can peacefully undergo the process and look forward to the moment we join our Creator perpetually. So, can we face death in serenity and embracing the future with God in peace and joy? Yes, we can and should.

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Author Information
Puri Trioka Rigodin, University of Gadjah Mada, Indonesia
Imanuel Eko Anggun Sugiyono, University of Gadjah Mada, Indonesia

• Category: Ethics - Medical Ethics

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

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