What is the Christian view?

Christians believe that all life is valuable, indeed that all life is precious and holy. However, if a person has a very poor quality of life - through physical or mental disorders - they sometimes feel that they'd like to end their life.

Christians believe that all life is valuable, and follow the sanctity of life teachings in the Bible, which show them that it doesn't matter what your life is like, all life is sacred, created by God.

A key verse is to be found in Romans 9:20:

'But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’

Christians encourage people to accept the way they are formed, living a life that is full, and the way God has chosen for them. This is not to suggest that a person shouldn't seek support - of course, they should get all the medical help they can! - but it does mean people shouldn't seek to end their own life.

They believe that:

• Regardless of the quality of a person's life, they have a God-given purpose. God created them for a reason, therefore they can have a good life. Suffering, pain or disability, does not stop a person's life from being worthwhile. On the contrary, people who suffer can make awesome contributions to society and the people around them.
• Life is a gift from God, so all life should be respected and protected.
• God can help a person who is struggling.