Attitudes of Catholic and Protestant clergy on euthanasia and abortion

This study analyzes the attitudes of a random sample of Cleveland clergy toward: (1) acceptance of euthanasia; (2) the establishment of legal guidelines; and (3) the similarity between euthanasia and abortion. Although the clergymen find active euthanasia highly unacceptable, they expressed a definite ranking in priority of the different circumstances under which passive euthanasia would be acceptable. The clergy tend to oppose legalizing euthanasis, and indicate their fear of potential abuses. More than their Protestant counterpart, Catholic clergy significantly oppose any statement linking euthanasia and abortion. Clergymen who define their role as purely spiritual in nature tend to express greater disapproval of the three issues.Dr. Lazerine obtained his Ph.D. from the same department. The writers gratefully acknowledge the support of the Office of Research Development at Bowling Green State University and the College of Arts and Sciences. This paper was originally presented at the American Sociological Association Annual Meeting, New York, August 1980.