1. 1
Instructions: Reply to 2 of your peers below. Must be 250
words or more with 1 References
Review your classmates’ threads, and respond through
considering:
· Do you agree/disagree with your classmates’ interpretation of
the Christian Worldview or Secular Humanistic Worldview and
their application to the case? Explain.
· In your personal worldview, what would you do differently?
What other recommendations would you consider?
Classmates’ Tread 1.
The ANA White Paper is a positional statement recognizing
many different views and stances related to end-of-life
decisions. In offering an overview, The ANA White Paper does
not project a particular viewpoint concerning end-of-life
measures but instead addresses the ethical manner in which a
nurse handles an end-of-life quandary in light of the Code of
Ethics for Nurses (American Nurses Association 2015). For
example, when a terminal patient asks a nurse to assist in end of
life measures, the ANA White Paper clearly states that a nurse
is prohibited morally and ethically to help a patient in any
manner to assist/administer a life-ending medication. However,
the nurse can provide respectful, compassionate, non-
judgemental, high-quality professional care to all patients
despite the patient's situation.
In answering question number 2a, "Where does the Christian
Worldview clash with that of the Secular Humanistic
Worldview? In reading the book "Called to Care." It mentions
different philosophies. One example of a Secular Humanistic
Worldview is the Eastern philosophy's viewpoint that caring is
just of the mind. Another is the naturalist, who views caring as
doing what is best for humanity and not the individual. In

2. Christian Worldview, Christ calls us as Christians to love one
another (Shelly & Miller, 2006). In the Bible, Ephesians 5:1
NLT states we are to "Live a life of love, following the example
of Christ (BibleGateway, 2011). The Secular Humanistic
Worldview clashes with the Christian Worldview in that Secular
Humanistic is more self, whereas, Christian Worldview is more
Christ-like (American Nurses Association, 2019). For nurses,
this Christlike characteristic is apparent through caring for
others.
Question number 2b asks, "Does the ANA White Paper support
a Christian Worldview, the Secular Humanistic View, or another
religious worldview?" In reading the ANA position statement
for "The Nurse's Role When a Patient Requests Medical Aid in
Dying." Although teetering on a fine line, the ANA position
appears to be more consistent with the Christian Worldview
than the others. Primarily by focusing on morally and ethically
caring for the dying patient by respecting the patient's decision,
being non-judgemental, and attempting to alleviate pain and
suffering within the scope of legal nursing practice (Shelly &
Miller, 2006).
Question number 2c. "The term "euthanasia" has been replaced
with the phrase "aid in dying" in this most recent white paper. It
has been said that "he who controls the language controls the
masses." How does this apply to the choice of terms in this
white paper? In reviewing the most recent white paper. The
term, "aid in dying," is a euphemism that is used to downplay
the term, "euthanasia." For example, in 2014, Canada legalized
Bill 52 which allowed the term, "aid in dying" to replace
"euthanasia." This change made it easier to label, "aid in
dying" as being apart of health care and more acceptable to the
general public (Mishara & Weisstub, 2015).
Question number 3. In applying the Christian Worldview to this
case study. This author's response as a Christian would be a
Biblical response following the ten commandments, "Thou Shall
not Kill (BibleGateway, 2011)." This response would be an
accurate response to a difficult situation while upholding a

3. Christian Worldview or stance. My recommenda tion for the
patient is that this nurse would not aid or assist her in dying as
this would be against this nurse's belief. However, this nurse
will be there to comfort her in this time of need.
From a Secular Humanistic Worldview, this nurse could not
follow as it would be against her belief as a Christian. However,
God does not exist from the Secular Humanistic Worldview, and
human existence is only by chance.
Classmates’ Tread 2.
Case Study – End of Life
“The Nurse’s Role When a Patient Requests Medical
Aid in Dying” is a position statement from the American Nurses
Association clarifying the nurse’s role when their patient
requests medical aid in dying. (American Nurses Association,
2015). The statement refers consistently to the ANA Code of
Ethics for Nurses. (ANA, 2015). It reiterates the prime
responsibility of the nurse is to the patient. Excellent, non-
judgmental, culturally competent, and holistic care is to be
provided to the patient both during and at the end-of-life. The
statement aims to provide guidance to nurses as they care for
patients at the end-of--life. It particularly prohibits nurses from
administration of medical aid in dying medication as being
ethically wrong. (ANA, 2019)
The statement essentially concludes that, in states
where it is legal, nurses can and should provide medical aid in
dying if that is what a patient requests. They are prohibited
from administering medical aid in dying. In cases where the
nurse has a moral objection to providing medical aid in dying,
the nurse is justified in refusing to participate if he/she doesn’t
abandon the patient.
The Secular Humanistic worldview and Christian
worldview differ primarily in the existence of God. The Secular
Humanist worldview denies God’s existence. Life occurs by
chance and its continuation is without purpose other than to

4. exist. Finally, death is a permanent end to existence. There is
nothing beyond the moment of death. A practical repercussion
of this worldview is that there is no higher being to answer to.
The person who adheres to this view sees themself as solely in
control of their life.
The Christian worldview fundamentally differs from the
Secular Humanistic worldview in that God exists. (New
International Version, 1973/1990). God creates each human.
(Psalm 139:13). Each human has a purpose and function
specifically designed for them by God. (Proverbs 19:21). Each
person’s days are numbered and God-ordained (Job 14:5). The
human belongs to God and is fully accountable to God. (Romans
14:8). Life does not end at death; the Christian understands that
they will live eternally with God. (John 11:25-26). The
Christian accepts that they do not operate or act outside of
God’s will and God’s will is paramount – not their own.
The ANA position statement supports a Christian
Worldview in the manner with which nurses should treat their
patients. Delivery of culturally competent, respectful, and
patient-centered care aligns with the way that God instructs us
to treat others. ((New International Version, 1973/1990). The
White Paper does not account for the Christian belief that life,
or the choice of when to end life, does not belong to the person
but to God.
The term, “euthanasia” has many negative connotations.
It brings reminders of dark periods in history where euthanizing
mentally ill patients was considered appropriate by the Nazis.
The changing of the term “euthanasia” to “aid in dying”
releases the intervention from those darker connotations. It also
infers that the patient is in control by using the word, “aid.”
This diminishes concerns that the public may have of Physicians
forcing euthanasia on patients. Words can be very emotive.
They can have a slew of associations that can hurt or help an
agenda. Using the words, “aid in dying” brings a far gentler and
more supportive idea than the term, “euthanasia.”
The Case Study – End of Life is heartbreaking. For the

5. nurse who has become closely involved with the family it would
be extremely important to foster accountability with a manager
or charge nurse to ensure an ethical approach to this patient.
The Secular Humanistic worldview would be likely to support
this patient’s request. Providing it is legal, there would be no
reason to deny it. For the Christian worldview, there are many
implications to agreeing with the request.
A personal response would be to provide understanding
and compassion. Comfort and spending time listening to the
patient can help alleviate fears. Additionally, provision of pain
relief and the assurance of continued assessment and further
pain relief measures as needed would bring assurance.
Discussion may involve how the patient views life after death,
how she views her status with God and whether she knows God.
These questions can bring hope and a light in the darkest of
situations. Ultimately the discussion of palliative sedation may
be optional if the pain becomes intractable. (Bozzaro &
Schildmann, 2018).
Ultimately if the patient was insistent upon pursuing
assistance in ending her life, it would be important to respect
her wishes and refer her to a provider who may be able to help.
It would also be important to truthfully explain to the patient
why such an intervention would be against personal ethics and
would prevent personal involvement.