“Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” (C.S.Lewis)

Brittany Maynard and Suffering: 

A Study in Contrast

By Joe Kral

At the beginning of the movie Shadowlands, CS Lewis is heard saying, “Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” It is an obvious reference to CS Lewis’ theology of suffering. The point, however, is to make note that each person suffers and, at times, suffering is part of the Divine plan. Recently, it has come to light that Brittany Maynard, 29-year old Oregon resident who suffers from a rare form of brain cancer known as glioblastoma multiforme, intends to take her own life under Oregon’s “Death with Dignity Act”. Under this nefarious law, if a person is a legal resident of Oregon, judged to be competent and terminally ill, then a physician can prescribe a lethal dose of medication to the patient, to be taken any time by the patient, for the purpose of committing suicide.

Mrs. Maynard’s story is a quintessential study in the theology of suffering. Newly married and looking forward to family life, she never thought her life would be tragically cut short. No doubt Mrs. Maynard suffers from the mental anguish of her impending death as she states, “I’ve discussed with many experts how I would die from it, and it’s a terrible, terrible way to die. Being able to choose to go with dignity is less terrifying.” A painful death is something virtually everyone fears; even the Lord feared His impending scourging and crucifixion. But Mrs. Maynard raises an important question, will her death be dignified? Many in modern society may think so, but in reality Mrs. Maynard’s death will be a tragedy—a model of what not to do.

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