Christian responses to euthanasia
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain Christian teachings on euthanasia and how they influence Christian responses.
Key learning points
- The Bible teaches that life is sacred and that Christians should show love.
- Some believe enduring suffering can bring people closer to God.
- Most Christians oppose euthanasia but accept withdrawing treatment if it prolongs suffering.
- Liberal Anglicans may use situation ethics to support active euthanasia.
- Hospices provide palliative care, and a living will outlines a person’s wishes for medical treatment.
Keywords
Euthanasia - intentionally ending a person's life to relieve suffering, either by causing death or allowing it to occur
Hospice - a place where people with terminal illnesses receive palliative care
Living will - a legal document that outlines a person’s wishes for medical treatment if they cannot communicate
Palliative care - medical treatment that aims to relieve pain and improve quality of life
Common misconception
All Christians completely oppose euthanasia.
While many Christian strongly oppose euthanasia, some take a more compassionate approach, considering quality of life and situation ethics. Some may support assisted dying in certain circumstances, though this remains a minority view.
Teacher tip
Use real-life case studies (e.g. Diane Pretty, Tony Bland, Debbie Purdy) to illustrate how Christian teachings on euthanasia apply in real-world situations.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In the UK, euthanasia is illegal, but doctors may treatment in certain cases.
Q2.The “slippery slope” argument supports the legalisation of euthanasia.
Q3.Passive euthanasia involves taking deliberate action to cause a patient’s death.
Q4.Which of the following explains the difference between active and passive euthanasia?
Q5.What is a common argument in favour of legalising euthanasia?
Q6.Which religious belief is often used to argue against euthanasia?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The Catholic Church allows euthanasia in extreme cases.
Q2.Some Christians support euthanasia based on Jesus’ teaching of love and compassion.
Q3.What is the Christian concept that life is a gift from God and must be protected?
Q4.What type of care offers pain relief and emotional support instead of euthanasia?
Q5.What is the purpose of a living will?
Q6.How might some Liberal Christians justify euthanasia?
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Christian responses to euthanasia, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Christian responses to euthanasia, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 religious education lessons from the Matters of life and death unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.