The sanctity of life is the principle that human life is sacred — God-given and therefore not to be deliberately ended by human hands. Most major religions hold some version of this belief, though they differ significantly on how it applies to difficult situations at the beginning and end of life, including abortion and euthanasia.
What does "sanctity of life" mean in religious teaching?
The phrase "sanctity of life" expresses the belief that human life has a special value because it is created by God. In Christianity, this is grounded in the Genesis account that humans are made "in the image of God" (imago Dei), giving each person inherent dignity. In Islam, the Qur'an states: "whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved all of humanity" (5:32), and life is described as an amanah (trust from God), not something humans own to dispose of as they choose. In Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib teaches that the body is given by God. These theological foundations shape how each tradition responds to questions about ending life.
A contrasting concept is quality of life — the secular or humanist view that what matters is not life as a biological fact but life as an experience of wellbeing, relationships and meaningful existence. On this view, a life that involves only suffering without hope of recovery may not be worth preserving at all costs. The tension between sanctity of life and quality of life drives most of the debates below.
What do major faiths teach about abortion?
Abortion is the deliberate termination of a pregnancy. It is legal in England, Scotland and Wales up to 24 weeks of pregnancy under the Abortion Act 1967, and beyond 24 weeks in specific circumstances.
| Faith tradition | Teaching on abortion |
|---|---|
| Roman Catholic | Strictly opposed at any stage; life begins at conception; no exceptions |
| Church of England | Generally opposed but may accept in cases of serious risk to the mother or severe foetal abnormality |
| Islam (Sunni majority view) | Permitted up to 40 days (some scholars say 120 days) if there is a serious medical reason; generally opposed after that; the mother's life always takes priority |
| Judaism | Generally permitted if the mother's life or wellbeing is seriously at risk; debate continues on other circumstances |
| Secular/humanist | Supports a woman's right to choose; emphasises quality of life and individual autonomy |
The key questions for GCSE answers are: when does life begin? Who has the right to make decisions about it? And how should competing interests (mother, foetus, society) be balanced?
What do major faiths teach about euthanasia?
Euthanasia is the deliberate ending of a person's life to relieve suffering, usually in the context of terminal illness. It is illegal in the United Kingdom, though assisted dying (where a doctor prescribes lethal medication for the patient to self-administer) is legal in some other countries including the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland.
Voluntary euthanasia means the person requests it; involuntary (or non-voluntary) euthanasia involves someone unable to express a preference. Passive euthanasia — withdrawing treatment that is keeping someone alive — is legally permitted in the UK through the doctrine of double effect, and is widely practised in palliative care.
Christianity: Both Catholic and most Protestant churches oppose active euthanasia on the grounds that life is God's gift and that ending it deliberately is morally equivalent to murder. The Church supports the hospice movement — palliative care that manages pain without intentionally hastening death. The doctrine of double effect permits giving pain relief that may incidentally shorten life.
Islam: Euthanasia is generally considered haram (forbidden). The Qur'an states "do not take your own life, for God has been to you Most Merciful" (4:29). However, withdrawing futile treatment may be permissible — there is a distinction between allowing death to occur naturally and actively causing it.
What is the difference between active and passive euthanasia?
This distinction matters for both law and ethics. Active euthanasia means taking a deliberate action to end life (administering a lethal drug). Passive euthanasia means withdrawing or withholding treatment (turning off a life support machine; not resuscitating). Most religions and the law in England and Wales treat these differently: passive euthanasia in appropriate circumstances is accepted; active euthanasia is not. Critics of this distinction — including some secular ethicists — argue it is morally arbitrary: the outcome (death) and the intention (to relieve suffering) may be the same in both cases.
What do secular and humanist views say?
Humanists and many secular ethicists support the right of individuals to make decisions about their own deaths, particularly when suffering is severe and recovery impossible. They argue that dignity in dying is as important as dignity in living, and that forcing someone to endure unbearable suffering against their wishes treats them as a means rather than an end. Groups such as Dignity in Dying campaign for legalised assisted dying in the UK, arguing that safeguards can prevent abuse. Opponents — including many religious groups and some disability rights campaigners — argue that legalising assisted dying could create pressure on vulnerable people to choose death to avoid burdening their families.
Frequently asked questions
What is the "doctrine of double effect" in medical ethics?
The doctrine of double effect is the principle that an action with both a good and a harmful effect is morally permissible if the good effect is intended, the harmful effect is foreseen but not intended, and the good effect is proportionate to the harm. In medical contexts, it allows doctors to administer increasing doses of morphine to manage a dying patient's pain even if this may incidentally hasten death — the intention is pain relief, not death. The doctrine is accepted in Catholic moral teaching and is reflected in UK law and medical practice.
How does the law on abortion and euthanasia affect GCSE answers?
Knowing the law gives you a framework for contextualising religious views. The Abortion Act 1967 permits abortion up to 24 weeks in England, Scotland and Wales (Northern Ireland's law changed in 2019). Active euthanasia remains illegal in the UK. GCSE questions often ask you to explain why some people support or oppose a change in the law — knowing what the current law is and why religious groups support or challenge it makes your answer more precise and informed.
Can religious people support abortion or euthanasia in some circumstances?
Yes — and this is an important nuance for exam answers. Not all religious people take the strictest position of their tradition. Many practising Christians support access to abortion in cases of rape, severe foetal abnormality or risk to the mother's life. Some Muslim scholars permit abortion in the early weeks for serious reasons. Liberal Jewish communities tend to be more permissive than Orthodox ones. GCSE mark schemes reward answers that acknowledge diversity within traditions, rather than treating each faith as a single, uniform bloc.
What is a "living will" and how does it relate to this topic?
A living will (also called an advance directive) is a legal document in which a person sets out their wishes about medical treatment in case they become unable to communicate — for example, refusing resuscitation or life support in specified circumstances. Living wills are legally recognised in England and Wales under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. For GCSE RE, they raise the question of autonomy: if a competent adult can refuse treatment in advance, how does this interact with religious teachings about the sanctity of life and the duty to preserve it?
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