Sacred Choices

This Week's Quotation:

“Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.”

~ Chief Aupumut, Mohican war leader and diplomat, approx. 1725.

Sacred Choices

Rev. Berry Behr, Interfaith Minister

Talking about death is stepping into sacred territory, and yet too often we skirt the conversation. Last month I had the privilege of helping DignitySA convene an interfaith dialogue on end of life choices — an opportunity that felt necessary for faith leaders who want to respond with compassion rather than fear to the concept of medically assisted dying.

Leaders from many traditions came ready to listen, and to courageously share their thoughts. We used a World Café format so small groups could move between four questions: Why are conversations about dying important? Why might people of my faith resist medically assisted dying? Why might they embrace it? What do we need to learn more about? The willingness to sit with these questions—and with each other—set the tone: respectful, honest, and surprisingly open.

Predictable concerns emerged: moral tradition, the fear of “playing God,” and worries about abuses. But what surprised and moved people were the reasons some would accept assisted dying. Four themes stood out.

First compassion and relief of suffering. No one can live another’s pain; the most faithful response is often simply to be present and to seek what brings peace to the suffering person. Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s words resonated: denying a dying person dignity is itself unkind.

Second, autonomy and agency. Many spoke of honoring the God-given capacity to make profound decisions about one’s own body and life—backed by practical tools like advance directives and living wills.

Third, justice and responsibility. Beyond individual choices lie social concerns: avoiding needless prolonged suffering, protecting families from undue burdens, and seeing assisted dying as part of a wider moral calculus about responsible care.

Fourth, faith traditions’ diversity. Different faith communities bring different understandings, but beneath the variety was a shared recognition that life and death are complex, situational, and shaped by how we view the mystery that follows.

What stayed with me most was the spirit in the room: connection, surprise, breakthrough, possibility. Leaders valued the safe space to wrestle with tender dilemmas and left knowing that none of us needs to navigate this alone.

About Open Windows

We, the authors of this blog, dedicate it to the transparent exploration of the world's sacred scripture and enlightened spiritual thought. We believe that the original inspiration of all faiths comes from a common source, named and revered in a myriad of ways. With that understanding, the innumerable symbols, beliefs, and practices of faith cease to divide. They become open windows to a common reality that inspires and unifies us. We find deeper insight and nourishment in our own faith and from the expression of faith from others.

We hope these weekly quotations and meditations speak to your heart and soul.