Dimensions of religion and attitudes toward euthanasia

Abstract

Understanding the role of religion in attitudes toward euthanasia requires viewing religion as a multidimensional construct. In this study, four dimensions operationalized religion: religiosity, spirituality, afterlife beliefs (afterlife, heaven, and hell), and religious denomination. Using data from 1066 adults interviewed in the 2018 General Social Survey, a logistic regression showed religiosity, belief in afterlife and heaven, and religious denomination were significantly associated with opposition to euthanasia. Although most studies have shown a negative influence of religion, we found that not all dimensions of religion have a negative association with opposition to euthanasia and the role of each dimension differs.