Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
icon-background-square
New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Christian responses to euthanasia

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

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
icon-background-square
New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Christian responses to euthanasia

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

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
View new resources
arrow-right

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 10 religious education lesson on: Christian responses to 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.
speech-bubble
Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

copyright

Licence

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

Skip lesson video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
In the UK, euthanasia is illegal, but doctors may treatment in certain cases.
Correct Answer: withdraw, Withdraw
Q2.
The “slippery slope” argument supports the legalisation of euthanasia.
True
Correct answer: False
Partially true
Q3.
Passive euthanasia involves taking deliberate action to cause a patient’s death.
True
Correct answer: False
Partially true
Q4.
Which of the following explains the difference between active and passive euthanasia?
Active euthanasia is legal, while passive euthanasia is illegal.
Correct answer: Active involves deliberate action to end life, passive means allowing death.
Passive euthanasia is more controversial than active euthanasia.
Q5.
What is a common argument in favour of legalising euthanasia?
Correct answer: It allows people to avoid unnecessary pain and suffering.
It could lead to abuse of vulnerable people.
It is against the Hippocratic Oath for doctors.
Q6.
Which religious belief is often used to argue against euthanasia?
Correct answer: the idea that suffering can have spiritual meaning
the belief that personal choice is the most important value
the argument that euthanasia should be available to all who want it

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
The Catholic Church allows euthanasia in extreme cases.
True
Correct answer: False
Partially true
Q2.
Some Christians support euthanasia based on Jesus’ teaching of love and compassion.
Correct answer: True
False
Partially true
Q3.
What is the Christian concept that life is a gift from God and must be protected?
Correct answer: the sanctity of life
the quality of life
the doctrine of free will
Q4.
What type of care offers pain relief and emotional support instead of euthanasia?
Correct answer: palliative care
respite care
assisted suicide
Q5.
What is the purpose of a living will?
to request euthanasia
Correct answer: to ensure a person’s medical treatment wishes are followed
to prevent families from making medical decisions
Q6.
How might some Liberal Christians justify euthanasia?
by arguing that all suffering should be avoided at any cost
by believing that suffering has value
Correct answer: by applying situation ethics, prioritising love and compassion

Additional material

Download additional material