'Jesus was our inspiration, he guided us'

Raju William / TNN / Jun 8, 2006, 02:23 IST

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Unfazed by the criticism following a decision to give their entire body to science, this couple has resolutely refused to change it.

'Jesus was our inspiration, he guided us'

LUDHIANA: Unfazed by the criticism coming their way following a decision to give their entire body to science, this Chandigarh-based Christian couple has resolutely refused to change it.
On February 23, on the day of their daughter's birthday, the couple — Daniel Dass (48) and Zeenat — had approached PGI's anatomy department for donating their bodies.
The decision, made after much opposition from members of the family, was nevertheless heresy to most members of the community. Christians from the beginning have buried their dead.
They stress upon the analogy between the resurrection of the body and the Christ. In the light of the same dogma (of resurrection), it is easy to understand how the interment of mortal remains of the Christian dead has always been an act of religious import.

The decision, denounced by others in the community on the grounds that it is against the basic tenets of Christianity, says Dass "is actually in line with what Jesus did on the Cross. He shed his sacred blood so that we all live.
What can be a better way of celebrating life than using our bodies to facilitate medical teaching and research for the larger benefit of mankind. "Moreover, faith is a very personal matter. Jesus was our guiding light" Dass told TOC.

His father, a pastor of Salvation Army, too was disapproving. "However, he relented on the grounds that I was independent to make my own decisions," recalls Dass...
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His biggest support has been his wife, who after initial reluctance gave in to her husband's wish. Their two kids Nikhaar (16) and Suhird (15), students of BN Model School, Sector 37, Chandigarh, too are keen on donating their bodies. "But I told them to wait till they grow up to take a conscious decision on this issue," he added.
A regular blood donor at PGI, Dass is not a member of any Christian denominational church. Faith does not beg membership, he argues. In fact, what actually prompted the decision was a remark by a fellow community member about denial of space in graveyard in absence of Church membership.
Incidentally, after almost three months of the decision, the couple received a letter of acceptance from the premier institute about a fortnight ago.

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