Assisted dying/suicide is about more than an individual choice; it impacts communities and is of public interest. If the proposals are successful, they will fundamentally change a society’s relationship with the health and social care sector. People will go from receiving a duty of care to feeling a duty to die if they are concerned about being a burden to loved ones.
For the past 20 years, we have engaged with the issue in the media and in parliament, and the current proposals are the most significant attempt to change the law in many years. Our motivation is based on the fundamental truth that all human life is valuable and should be protected. However, our concerns are shared with many people of different belief systems as well. We believe legalising assisted dying in the UK will lead to unintended consequences, particularly for those living in socially deprived communities, with learning and physical disabilities, the elderly or those suffering with mental distress.
Over the years, we have produced resources to help Christians engage both politically and pastorally and have linked them below. We are wanting to encourage the church to pray without ceasing in the coming weeks and months.
As the issue is discussed extensively in the media and in parliament, let us pray that those most vulnerable and dependent on the health and social care system will be protected from harm, their personhood respected, and access to support strengthened.
Engaging with the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
Assisted dying bill reaches a critical point in its parliamentary process
Be a part of a movement persuading MPs to vote ‘no’ at third reading. Email your MP
Assisted dying law – what comes next?
Danny Webster reflects on the vote in parliament to progress the bill to permit assisted dying and what will happen for it to become law Read morePodcast and media interviews
"The church can, and should, offer a pastoral perspective on this debate. Christians have been at the forefront of the hospice and palliative care movements, and we continue to give dignity to each person in the final days of their life."
UK Director, Evangelical Alliance
UK Director, Evangelical Alliance
Improving end of life care in the UK
Public policy work in the Senedd, Holyrood and Westminster. We take a collaborative approach, working with member organisations, across party parliamentarians, disability charities and those in hospice care and the NHS.
Christian leaders in Scotland: sign our joint letter against the assisted dying bill
We urge MSPs to join us in expressing concerns Find out more
"It's important for people to have a good death," says Rachael Maskell MP
Watch our Cross Section interview with Rachael Maskell MP about palliative care, safeguards and how we journey with those who are suffering Find out more
Kim Leadbeater replaces High Court judge with assisted dying review panels
Backbench Labour MPs are vocalising their concerns in response to Leadbeater’s U-turn Find out more
Understanding key terms
Assisted dying: proponents of the Assisted Dying Bill in 2015 in England and Wales, argue that this term best describes prescribing life-ending drugs for terminally ill mentally competent adults to administer themselves after meeting defined legal safeguards.
Assisted suicide describes giving assistance to people with long-term progressive conditions, or who are not dying in addition to patients with a long-term illness to die. The drugs are self-administered.
Voluntary euthanasia: this describes a doctor directly administrating life-ending drugs to a patient who has given consent.
