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 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.
Commentaries on the topic of assisted dying/suicide
How might we approach the conversation on Assisted Dying?
David Smyth shares his reflections on the upcoming Assisted Dying private members bill and how we can put this into context as Christians
Issue Briefing on Assisted Dying
Equipping Christians to engage both pastorally and politically on this issue
Podcast 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
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 strict legal safeguards.
Assisted suicide describes giving assistance to die to people with long-term progressive conditions and other people who are not dying in addition to patients with a long-term illness. The drugs are self-administered.
Voluntary euthanasia: this describes a doctor directly administrating life-ending drugs to a patient who has given consent.
