Politicians in the UK Back Proposed Legislation for Aid-in-Dying
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which seeks to legalize assisted dying in the UK, has sparked strong opposition from the UK Evangelical Alliance (EAUK) and other Christian organizations. The primary concern is that the bill puts the most vulnerable members of society at risk and undermines the sanctity of life.
Danny Webster, head of the EAUK advocacy team, expressed sadness at the bill's progress but is motivated to continue working to prevent it from becoming law. He stated, "We believe that every life is precious and that we should be doing everything we can to care for and support those who are terminally ill, not offering them a way out."
The EAUK plans to continue engaging with MPs and holding them accountable if their hopes for the bill's improvement are not met. Ross Hendry, CEO of CARE, echoed this sentiment, stating, "The bill lacks safeguards to prevent coercion of vulnerable people and people ending their lives due to feeling like a burden or lack of support."
The bill's supporters have expressed concerns about the safeguards and workability of the law. Some MPs have conditionally supported the bill, stating that they want additional safeguards or parts of the draft law to be changed.
Christian legal groups warn the bill creates "serious risks of pressure, coercion and abuse" on the elderly and infirm, who might feel compelled to choose death to avoid being a burden. Arguments emphasize that changing the law would make vulnerable individuals, particularly terminally ill adults, even more susceptible to subtle societal or familial pressure to end their lives prematurely.
The Evangelical Alliance and many church leaders uphold the sanctity of life, opposing any form of state-sanctioned killing, which they see as incompatible with Christian ethical teachings. They also stress that clergy would not participate in assisted dying practices, reinforcing their opposition.
The bill has been criticized as imprecise and dangerous by Christian commentators, suggesting that legalizing assisted dying may open the door to unintended harms. Church figures note the broader societal impact, warning that assisted dying legislation may deepen divisions and erode trust within communities and political institutions.
In a positive turn of events, the House of Lords recently rejected a move to introduce assisted dying legislation. This relief was shared by the Christian campaigners who advocate for approaches emphasizing care, empathy, and support for terminally ill adults without resorting to assisted death.
For more information about the #OneMoreYearEF campaign, which is being launched by Evangelical Focus to support their mission, visit their website. The bill will return to the House of Commons for further debate in Spring 2025, most likely on 25 April. The EAUK will continue to engage and hold MPs accountable if their hopes for the bill's improvement are not met.
- The bill's critics, including Christian organizations and legal groups, argue that the lack of adequate safeguards in the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill could lead to pressure, coercion, and abuse, particularly towards vulnerable individuals like the terminally ill and elderly.
- In line with Christian ethical teachings, the Evangelical Alliance and church leaders oppose any form of state-sanctioned killing, including assisted dying, as they perceive it as incompatible with their beliefs and see clergy participation in such practices as unacceptable.
- As the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill returns to the House of Commons for further debate in Spring 2025, the EAUK has vowed to continue engaging with MPs and advocating for policy-and-legislation that emphasizes science-backed health-and-wellness measures, mental-health support, and compassionate therapies-and-treatments, rather than focusing on offering ending-of-life options.
