The Scottish Christian Forum on Assisted Dying (SCFAD) brings together a range of Christians who do not necessarily hold exactly the same views on assisted dying and the precise form the legislation should make.

But, as a Forum, we are broadly supportive of the case for enacting a legal framework to permit assisted dying in Scotland, subject to appropriate safeguards, as being in line with Christian ethics.

We do not express this position uncritically.  We carefully reviewed the text of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill proposed by Liam McArthur MSP that is currently under consideration in the Scottish Parliament.  We raised a number of comments on the proposed Bill, as set out in our August 2024 consultation response to the Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee.  In particular, we argue that the legislation must facilitate pastoral and spiritual support for those seeking an assisted death (and for their families where applicable).

We have also submitted evidence on the the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (for England and Wales) proposed by Kim Leadbeater MP.  Whilst SCFAD is not directly concerned with issues of assisted dying outside Scotland, we note that Scottish MPs are able to vote on this Bill and some provisions could have implications UK-wide.

As Christians we also believe profoundly that all people are of equal worth in God’s sight, and we are thus concerned that the legislation must facilitate any individual who meets the criteria to be able to access an assisted death if that is their genuine wish, without discrimination (for example) between rich and poor or between those with different levels of education or access to professional advice. It is vital that all the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 are fully respected in terms of access to assisted dying.

We were invited to give evidence in person to the Committee at the Scottish Parliament on 21 January 2025.  We were very encouraged that the Bill was passed by MSPs in the Stage 1 vote on 13 May 2025.

At Stage 2, detailed amendments were considered by the Health Committee: we prepared a list of five possible amendments which we felt would improve the Bill considerably, specifically from a perspective of Christian pastoral care.  We have shared these proposals with a number of MSPs who are broadly supportive of the Bill, but sadly none of them were formally tabledand are hopeful that they will be considered by the Health Committee in its Stage 2 considerations.

The Bill was then subject to consideration of amendments by the whole Scottish Parliament at Stage 3 in a mamoth four day debate (Tues 10 – Fri 13 March).  Over 300 amendments were considered – some sensible changes were agreed, but we were very disappointed to see an amendment passed which means that even if the Bill is passed, assisted dying will only be available to those who are expected to die within 6 months.  This means many in great suffering who would be expected to live for more than 6 months won’t be able to access an assisted death until the final stages of their condition.

A final debate on the Bill as amended will take place on Tuesday 17 March 2026 and we should know by 10pm that evening whether or not it will become law.  (However, even if passed, it is expected to take around 12-24 months for all the regulations and guidance to be finalised in order to allow the new law to be commenced.)