A new survey shows vast numbers of Christians would support a change in the euthanasia law to give someone the right to choose when and how they die. The YouGov poll, put together by the Westminster Faith Debates, reveals that the majority of Anglicans, Catholics, Methodists, Pentecostalists and Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, are in favour of assisted suicide.
However, Baptists and Muslims are mainly opposed.
Christians were split into three categories: those who identify themselves as a Christian, those who go to church regularly, and those who are 'strictly Christian'. The majority of those who label themselves as a Christian were in favour of a change in legislation despite church teaching being opposed to it. Seventy two per cent of Anglicans, 56% of Roman Catholics, 61% of Presbyterians and 62% of Methodists say they would support a change. Of those who actively go to church, 49% support a change, 36% are against and 15% said they don't know. Numbers of supporters drop again for those deemed 'strictly religious' with just a third in this category favouring a law change.
Professor Linda Woodhead from Lancaster University put the poll together and tells Premier's Marcus Jones she's surprised with the results.
However, the poll has been dismissed by the Church of England.
A spokesman said:
"This study demonstrates that complex discussions on topics such as assisted suicide and euthanasia cannot be effectively conducted through the medium of online surveys.
"The survey failed to provide accurate and universally agreed definitions of the terms it used, it spoke of 'rights' without any understanding of the nature of human rights law and it introduced terms such as 'the sanctity of life' which have specifically religious connotations rather than terms such as 'inherent value of life' which are 'faith-neutral'."
The survey has raised questions about how assisted suicide is discussed in churches across the country. Daphne Hall worked in end of life care and now volunteers at her local hospice. She told Premier's Victoria Laurence on the News Hour she'd like to hear more church leaders preaching on this subject:
A debate on euthanasia is being held in Westminster tomorrow night. A number of speakers including former St Paul's Cathedral Canon Chancellor Giles Fraser and Baroness Finlay - who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on Dying Well - will attempt to answer the question 'Should we legislate to permit assisted dying?'.