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Year 11
AQA

Different religious views about euthanasia

I can explain Christian teachings on euthanasia and how they influence Christian responses.

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New
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Year 11
AQA

Different religious views about euthanasia

I can explain Christian teachings on euthanasia and how they influence Christian responses.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The Bible teaches that life is sacred and that Christians should show love.
  2. Some believe enduring suffering can bring people closer to God.
  3. Most Christians oppose euthanasia but accept withdrawing treatment if it prolongs suffering.
  4. Liberal Anglicans may use situation ethics to support active euthanasia.
  5. 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.


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: Different religious views about euthanasia, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

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.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
The of life is the belief that life is sacred and should not be ended by human choice.
Correct Answer: sanctity, Sanctity
Q2.
In the UK, which of the following is legal?
voluntary euthanasia
assisted suicide
Correct answer: withdrawing life-sustaining treatment in some cases
Q3.
Which of the following is an example of passive euthanasia?
refusing to give a patient food and water
Correct answer: switching off a life-support machine
prescribing medication to help a patient end their life
Q4.
What does the principle of 'autonomy' mean in the euthanasia debate?
that doctors should decide when a patient dies
Correct answer: that individuals should have control over their own life and death
that governments should control end-of-life decisions
Q5.
What is palliative care?
Correct answer: care that focuses on relieving suffering without curing the illness
care that speeds up the dying process
care that only religious patients receive
Q6.
A key argument against euthanasia is that it might put people at risk of feeling pressured into ending their lives.
Correct Answer: vulnerable, Vulnerable

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
The movement was founded by Dame Cicely Saunders to provide an alternative to euthanasia.
Correct Answer: hospice, Hospice
Q2.
A will ensures a person’s wishes about medical treatment are followed if they can no longer communicate.
Correct Answer: living, Living
Q3.
Which Christian teaching suggests that life is sacred and should be protected?
Correct answer: “So God created mankind in his own image.” (Genesis 1:27)
“Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10)
“Your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
Q4.
Which Christian denomination is most likely to argue that suffering has a purpose?
Correct answer: Catholic Church
liberal Anglican Church
The Pentecostal Church
Q5.
Why might some Liberal Anglicans support euthanasia?
they believe suffering has no value
Correct answer: they follow situation ethics, considering love and compassion in each case
they believe all suffering must be ended at any cost
Q6.
Some Christians believe suffering has and can bring people closer to God.
Correct Answer: value, Value