Attitudes of Catholic and Protestant Clergy toward Euthanasia

Abstract

The findings of this study do not categorically confirm the popular assumption that the clergymen are opposed to euthanasia because of the sanctity with which they regard human life. Although they find active euthanasia highly unacceptable, they view passive euthanasia more favorably. However, Catholic clergymen more than Protestant, are significantly opposed to both forms of euthanasia. From the response patterns, a Guttman Scale with a high coefficient of reproducibility was derived, revealing a definite ranking in periority of the different circumstances under which the termination of life supporting techniques would be acceptable. Even though Catholic and Protestant clergymen, in about the same proportions, tend to see the terminal patient as competent to make decisions concerning euthanasia, the two groups, strongly agree that neither the individual patient nor the state should be allowed sole responsibility for the decision.