As Euthanasia Expands in the West, Here’s How Christians Can Respond
Editorial note: The terms euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are often used interchangeably and will be in this article. Euthanasia refers to a healthcare worker intentionally and directly administering drugs to kill a patient. Physician-assisted suicide refers to a healthcare worker prescribing drugs for a patient to self-administer to end their own life.
In the span of a few short years, physician-assisted suicide (PAS) and euthanasia have become increasingly prevalent in much of the West. In recent weeks, multiple stories have highlighted this reality.
Recent Developments
Days ago, France became the most recent Western nation to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide. The legislation does not require an individual to have a terminal illness to become eligible, only a “serious and incurable illness” (think diabetes, heart disease or cancer) that “threatens life in an advance or terminal stage.” Any elderly person with a serious health problem would likely qualify under these conditions.
In June 2026, a doctor in the Netherlands permissibly killed a 12-year-old child for the first time under their euthanasia regime. Tragically, the country began permitting euthanasia for kids under 13 beginning in 2024.
This year, Canada – which has one of the most liberal euthanasia systems in the world – crossed a dark threshold. The nation has killed over 100,000 people by PAS or euthanasia since legalizing it just a decade ago. The country is set to further expand its euthanasia regime to make individuals suffering solely from a mental health condition eligible in 2027.
The Anglican Church of Canada recently published a “liturgy” for clergy to use with those who choose to die by assisted suicide.
Last year, euthanasia expanded in the United States to 13 states after Illinois and New York legalized the practice.
The Advance of Euthanasia
It is good for Christians to know just how prevalent euthanasia is becoming in much of the West. The further it spreads, the more important it is to know how to respond in a biblically faithful way.
Switzerland first legalized PAS in 1942, while the Netherlands became the first nation to legalize euthanasia in 2002. Either PAS or euthanasia are also legal in Belgium, Luxemburg, Colombia, Canada, Australia, Spain, Germany and the United States.
The United Kingdom and Ireland are currently advancing legislation to allow euthanasia or PAS.
A Christian Response
Clearly, the advance of PAS and euthanasia across the West is not slowing down. Indeed, it’s accelerating. How should Christians respond to this unhappy development?
Here are five reasons Christians – and all people – should oppose legalizing assisted suicide.
First, opponents of euthanasia and PAS are opposed to killing innocent people. Both euthanasia and PAS involve one person (usually a doctor) directly or indirectly killing another person. It’s always morally wrong to kill an innocent person.
Second, euthanasia corrupts the medical profession; it violates the Hippocratic Oath to “do no harm.” Medicine is intended to treat and cure diseases, and death is not a treatment or a cure. Suicide is never the answer to a problem.
In fact, the American Medical Association opposes euthanasia because it “is fundamentally incompatible with the physician’s role as healer,” is “difficult or impossible to control,” and “poses serious societal risks.”
Third, euthanasia is essentially never necessary to control pain or suffering. Thanks to great advances in palliative care and hospice, it is possible to greatly reduce or eliminate suffering at the end of life without resorting to euthanasia.
Fourth, euthanasia can quickly transform from a “right to die” to a “duty to die” to save the government expenses in healthcare costs.
Fifth, Christians especially should remember that suffering, while never an intrinsic good, can serve a redemptive purpose if united to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross (Colossians 1:24). While the culture may treat suffering as something to be avoided at all costs, Christians know through faith that God can use all things – even suffering – for our good (Romans 8:28).
If you want to talk more about end-of-life issues, or have been impacted by euthanasia or PAS in some way, see information below to speak to one of our caring Christian counselors.
Focus on the Family offers a one-time complimentary consultation with our ministry’s professionally trained counselors. The consultation is free due to generous donor support.
To reach Focus on the Family’s counseling service by phone, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time). Please be prepared to leave your contact information for a counselor to return a call to you as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can fill out our Counseling Consultation Request Form.
Related articles and resources:
Understanding God’s Plan for the End of Life
A Godly Perspective on End-of-Life Decisions
Aging Loved Ones and Physician-Assisted Suicide
Answers to Common Questions About Physician-Assisted Suicide
The Problem With Ending It All: A Response to Physician-Assisted Suicide
Anglican Church of Canada Launches ‘Pastoral Liturgy’ for Medically-Assisted Suicide
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