# Views of Clergy Regarding Ethical Controversies in Care at the End of Life Abstract Context: Although religion often informs ethical judgments, little is known about the views of American clergy regarding controversial end-of-life ethical issues including allowing to die and physician aid in dying or physician-assisted suicide (PAD/PAS). Objective: To describe the views of U.S. clergy concerning allowing to die and PAD/PAS. Methods: A survey was mailed to 1665 nationally representative clergy between 8/2014 to 3/2015 (60% response rate). Outcome variables included beliefs about whether the terminally ill should ever be ‘‘allowed to die’’ and moral/legal opinions concerning PAD/PAS. Results: Most U.S. clergy are Christian (98%). Clergy agreed that there are circumstances in which the terminally ill should be ‘‘allowed to die’’ (80%). A minority agreed that PAD/PAS was morally (28%) or legally (22%) acceptable. Mainline/Liberal Christian clergy were more likely to approve of the morality (56%) and legality (47%) of PAD/PAS, in contrast to all other clergy groups (6%e17%). Greater end-of-life medical knowledge was associated with moral disapproval of PAD/PAS (adjusted odds ratio \[AOR\], 1.51; 95% CI, 1.04e2.19, P ¼ 0.03). Those reporting distrust in health care were less likely to oppose legalization of PAD/PAS (AOR 0.93; 95% CI, 0.87e0.99, P < 0.02). Religious beliefs associated with disapproval of PAD/PAS included ‘‘life’s value is not tied to the patient’s quality of life’’ (AOR 2.12; 95% CI, 0.1.49e3.03, P < 0.001) and ‘‘only God numbers our days’’ (AOR 2.60; 95% CI, 1.77e3.82, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Most U.S. clergy approve of ‘‘allowing to die’’ but reject the morality or legalization of PAD/PAS. Respectful discussion in public discourse should consider rather than ignore underlying religious reasons informing end-of-life controversies. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **\[Continued in .pdf document below\]** --- Attachments- [ picture\_as\_pdf views\_of\_clergy\_regarding\_ethical\_controversies\_in\_care\_at\_the\_end\_of\_life.pdf ](/sites/g/files/omnuum11836/files/rshm/files/views_of_clergy_regarding_ethical_controversies_in_care_at_the_end_of_life.pdf) --- See also:- [ Faculty Research ](/faculty-research/faculty-research)