Anti-assisted dying group got people to hide Christian motives when writing to MPs

The leading anti-assisted dying group Christian Action, Research and Education (CARE) used Christian reasoning to get its supporters to write to their MPs – but then omitted any Christian language at all from the default email that it got them to send. While recognising that it is essential that all sides are heard in the assisted dying debate, Humanists UK has urged religious groups to be honest about their motives for opposing assisted dying.

CARE hosts on its website a ‘write to your MP’ tool that provides a default message that people can use to write to their MP asking them to oppose assisted dying. MPs Humanists UK has spoken to have reported receiving many emails from people using CARE’s tool. The default text doesn’t mention religion at all but gives as the constituent’s reasons for writing, ‘concern about the very rushed time frame’, inadequate ‘safeguards’, ‘coercive control’, and ‘feeling like a burden on others’.

This stands in contrast to the emails that CARE has sent to its list to advertise the tool. The first, on 7 October, said:

‘As Christians, we have a high view of human life, made in God’s image. We are called to emulate our Saviour’s concern for the vulnerable, downtrodden, and powerless in society, opposing actions that will harm our neighbours. And we are equipped to articulate a better story: full of Gospel hope. The Spirit can help us to do this in love, speaking with grace and truth.

…

‘I trust that you’ll join us in prayer about this issue, asking for God’s mercy on our nation, and powerful intervention. Whatever the outcome, we trust in Him. “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:8).’

A second, on 16 October, started and then finished:

‘Throughout history, the Church has strongly opposed assisted suicide and euthanasia. God’s word teaches us that human beings, made in God’s image, are to be protected and cherished.

…

‘I trust that you’ll join us in prayer about this issue, asking for God’s mercy and powerful intervention. With Him all things are possible.’

The linked-to webpage from which people then write to their MP says ‘Please remember to: …Speak the truth in love. (cf. Eph 4:15).’

On Sunday the Observer published an investigation alleging that ‘grassroots’ campaigns opposed to assisted dying are in fact coordinated and financed by conservative Christian pressure groups. Humanists UK also published its own research into some religious groups’ influence in the assisted dying debate. That includes religious groups funding ostensibly secular groups, and using disability groups as a front for unstated religious views. At a Christian Medical Fellowship event, a speaker boasted that for a disability rally against assisted dying, Christian Concern ‘provided the financial support, made the placards, came along, got the disabled people along, and were completely invisible in doing it.’

Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson commented:

‘It’s clear that CARE’s religious beliefs are a motivating factor in its opposition to assisted dying. And this is a perfectly legitimate motivation to have. But the fact that it is using religious reasons to get people to write to MPs, without mentioning religion in their letters, is concerning. People should be up front about the reasons they are advocating for a certain outcome so that MPs can have all the information before forming their own views.’