Christian Beliefs about Life and Death » Euthanasia and Relieving Suffering: Christian Views

Relieving suffering: the example of Jesus

The lesson Euthanasia, Assisted Dying and the Law explained what euthanasia is, the types of it and what the law says. This lesson looks at what Christians teach, and why they do not all agree.

Key terms:

• Burdensome treatment: medical treatment that brings the patient more pain or strain than benefit, or that has very little hope of working.
• Dignity: the worth that a person has and the respect they deserve.
• Vulnerable: easily harmed or pressured, for example because of illness, age or disability.
• Pastoral care: caring for the whole person, including their feelings and faith, usually by a priest, minister or chaplain.

Christians believe that compassion is at the heart of the Christian life. They look to Jesus, who is the main example for Christians. The Gospels describe Jesus healing many people who were suffering. In Mark 1:40-42 he heals a man with leprosy, and in Mark 2:1-12 he heals a man who could not walk. Jesus also told his followers to care for the sick. In the parable of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:36), the king says, "I was sick and you looked after me."

So Christians believe that relieving suffering is part of following Jesus. Down the centuries, Christians have built hospitals and cared for the sick. Many Christians still work as doctors, nurses and chaplains today.

The Christian roots of the hospice movement

You have already met Cicely Saunders, who opened St Christopher's Hospice in London in 1967. She was a committed Christian and she said her faith inspired her work. Her aim was to care for dying people so well that they would be comfortable, cared for and not alone. Her work grew into the modern hospice movement.

For many Christians, hospices show the right answer to suffering at the end of life: good palliative care, with pain relief, time with family and pastoral care, instead of ending life early.

Why the Catholic Church and most Churches oppose euthanasia

The Catholic Church teaches that euthanasia is always wrong, and Orthodox Churches and many Protestant Churches agree. The Church of England has also opposed changing the law to allow it. Their main reasons are these.

Many Christians add that suffering does not take away a person's dignity. They say dignity comes from being made in God's image, not from being healthy or independent. Some Christians also say that suffering can have meaning, because Jesus himself suffered, and that dying people can be helped to face death with love around them.

Killing or letting die?

Most Churches that oppose euthanasia do not say that doctors must always keep a person alive. The Catholic Church teaches that there is a difference between killing a person and withdrawing burdensome treatment.

• Killing: deliberately causing a death, for example by giving a lethal drug. The Catholic Church says this is wrong, even if the person asks for it out of compassion.
• Withdrawing burdensome treatment: stopping a treatment that is only prolonging dying or causing great strain. The person dies of their illness. The Catholic Church teaches that this is allowed, because the aim is not to cause death but to accept that death cannot be stopped.

In the same way, giving strong pain relief to ease suffering is accepted, even if it might shorten life a little, because the aim is to relieve pain and not to cause death. The key idea is the intention: what the person is trying to do. Many Christians would say that letting nature take its course is not the same as ending a life.

Christians who support assisted dying

Not all Christians agree with their Church. Some Christians support assisted dying for people who are dying and in great pain. Their reasons include:

• Compassion: Jesus taught love of neighbour (Mark 12:31), and they say love means helping a person who is suffering badly and asks for help.
• A loving God: they believe God would not want people to suffer pain without hope.
• Choice: God gave human beings free will, so a dying person should have a say in how they die.

Some well-known Anglican leaders have said this. In 2014 Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa said he supported assisted dying, and the former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey said he had changed his mind and now supported it. Other Christians, including many Church leaders, strongly disagreed.

Christian responses to arguments about choice and dignity

Non-religious people, such as many humanists, may argue that a person has the right to choose how they die, and that a "death with dignity" is better than a long, painful decline. Christians who oppose euthanasia respond like this:

• Choice is important, but not unlimited. Because life is a gift from God, it is not ours to throw away. Choices also affect other people and society.
• Dignity does not depend on ability. Every person has dignity because they are made in God's image, however weak or dependent they become.
• Better care is the answer. Good palliative care and hospices can ease pain without ending life, so Christians say money and effort should go there.

Christians who support assisted dying reply that dignity can mean avoiding a painful and helpless death, and that compassion should come before rules.

Exam-style question

(a) Identify three Christian teachings or beliefs that lead some Christians to oppose euthanasia. [3 marks, AO1]

(b) Choose one religion. Outline two reasons why this religion is against euthanasia. [4 marks, AO1]

(c) Explain why there are different Christian attitudes to euthanasia. [6 marks, AO1 and AO2]

(d) "Christians should never support euthanasia." Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer you should refer to at least one religion. [12 marks, AO1 and AO2]

Recap

• Jesus healed the sick, and Christians believe relieving suffering follows his example. The hospice movement, started by Cicely Saunders, has Christian roots.
• The Catholic Church and most Churches oppose euthanasia because of the sanctity of life, because only God should end life and to protect the vulnerable.
• Killing is different from withdrawing burdensome treatment, because the intention is different.
• Some Christians support assisted dying out of compassion.
• Christians answer arguments about choice and dignity by saying life is a gift, dignity comes from being made in God's image and palliative care is the better answer.