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Year 11
Eduqas

Contrasting views on 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
Eduqas

Contrasting views on 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 Christians 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: Contrasting views on 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.
One of the key pro-choice arguments is that a woman has the right to make decisions about her own ...
Correct Answer: body, Body
Q2.
Under the 1967 Abortion Act in the UK, up to how many weeks is abortion generally allowed?
12 weeks
20 weeks
Correct answer: 24 weeks
Q3.
Which of the following factors could influence a person’s view on abortion?
religious beliefs
views on when life begins
Correct answer: all of the above
Q4.
What is one argument often made by pro-life advocates?
The mother’s financial situation should be considered before making a decision.
Correct answer: Adoption is a viable alternative to abortion.
Abortion is a personal decision with no ethical implications.
Q5.
Which of the following would a pro-choice advocate most likely support?
The belief that abortion is wrong under all circumstances.
Correct answer: A woman’s right to choose to have an abortion.
Abortion as an option only when the mother’s life is in danger.
Q6.
Some Christians, such as those who follow situation ethics, believe that the most important moral principle is , which may justify abortion in some cases.
Correct Answer: agape, Agape

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the beginning of the Bible verse to its ending.
Correct Answer:“So God created mankind,in his own image.” (Genesis 1:27)
tick

in his own image.” (Genesis 1:27)

Correct Answer:“Shall we accept good from God,,and not trouble?” (Job 2:10)
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and not trouble?” (Job 2:10)

Correct Answer:“Your bodies are temples,of the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
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of the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Q2.
What is a common Christian argument against euthanasia?
Correct answer: It goes against the sanctity of life.
It is a painless way to die.
It is encouraged in the Bible.
Q3.
Which best describes active euthanasia?
Correct answer: taking deliberate action to end a person’s life
stopping medical treatment so a person dies naturally
providing pain relief that may unintentionally shorten life
Q4.
Why do some Christians support the use of hospices instead of euthanasia?
They believe hospices help people die as quickly as possible.
Correct answer: Hospices support people to die with dignity without ending life.
Hospices encourage euthanasia in certain cases.
Q5.
In which situation do many Christians believe stopping treatment is acceptable?
Correct answer: when it is only prolonging suffering
when the patient asks to die
in any case of illness
Q6.
Some Christians argue that euthanasia is wrong because suffering can bring people closer to , strengthening their faith.
Correct Answer: God, god