In an age where medical science has discovered an ability to tamper with the human life - to artificially create it, to prolong it, or to shorten it - the modern world is once again obliged to ask itself questions pertaining to life. With such newly discovered power which brings humanity towards an unprecedented potential as well as peril, we are once again confronted with questions such as these: What is existence? What is life? What is the meaning of life?

On 4 January at 4 pm, the International Medical University at Bukit Jalil gathered some 90 students, lecturers and guests before a panel of speakers representing various faith traditions to ponder over the meaning of life. I was asked to speak with the audience on the meaning of life from the Christian perspective. It was entirely intriguing to hear the other speakers presenting their perspectives on the meaning of life from the Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim perspectives. The way in which every speaker affirmed the inherent human search for meaning was heartwarming. At a level beyond our religious convictions, there was a sense of human connection and solidarity.

This inter-religious forum subsequently turned to questions of medical ethics pertaining to life issues. The panel of speakers was asked to address issues such as abortion, active and passive euthanasia, as well as DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) Orders. Once again, the solidarity demonstrated by the panel of speakers was amazing. There was such like-mindedness in the way the entire panel categorically affirmed the utter dignity and utter sanctity of the human life. The panel of speakers felt that the human life is to be preserved with a great sense of responsibility and at all cost insofar as medical science renders it possible. We all resonated with the notion that the termination of life, and even the termination of deliberate measures taken to preserve life, is morally wrong. There was also a consensus that one does not have a right to take away one’s own life or another’s life to alleviate temporal suffering, for beyond finding the meaning of suffering, part of the human quest is to also find meaning in suffering.

I think it is very crucial that the various faith traditions in a nation like Malaysia come together to seek points of common agreement whilst not having to sacrifice our own convictions and creeds. I believe it is no mere coincidence that when it comes to familiar human issues, most of these religions demonstrate very similar values and therefore responses; that life is a very precious gift.