Attitudes Towards Euthanasia among the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Clergy

Abstract

The issue of legalizing euthanasia has been a longstanding topic of discussion in Finnish society for the past few decades. The support for euthanasia has increased in Finland among the general population, as well as among physicians and nurses. This study aims to address the gap in euthanasia research by focusing on the attitudes of the clergy, a group that has not been extensively studied in relation to this topic. The study utilizes both quantitative and qualitative data to examine the factors that contribute to clergy’s attitudes towards euthanasia. The theoretical framework of this study is based on the concept of religiosity, specifically in the theory of lived religion, which allows for an investigation of the interplay between individual attitudes, cultural context, and the influence of institutional structures, such as the Church. The research data consists of 19 published newspaper articles by Church experts, an electronic survey distributed through the Clergy Union of Finland, and six interviews with Finnish Evangelical Lutheran pastors. Data were collected between 2018 and 2021. This dissertation comprises four separate publications and a summary article. The first publication examines the official statements and discourses of the experts of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland regarding euthanasia. The second publication presents the quantitative results from the electronic survey of the Finnish clergy’s attitudes towards euthanasia. This publication elucidates the distribution of attitudes among the clergy and the impact of gender, religiosity, and the diocese on attitudes towards euthanasia. The third publication explores the narratives behind euthanasia attitudes, particularly the influence of family background and various life events. The fourth publication delves into the religious justification further to explain the influence of religiosity on euthanasia attitudes. This summary contributes to the understanding of the clergy’s attitudes towards euthanasia, shedding light on the factors and religious justifications that underpin these attitudes. The findings demonstrate that divergent interpretations of doctrinal views and personal life experiences explain the differences in euthanasia attitudes among the clergy. These findings suggest that these factors are also relevant to other ethical and moral topics within the Church and should be taken into account in ongoing discussions.