Majorities across several religious groups say physician-assisted death is morally permissible
% who say patients choosing to end their lives with the help of a doctor is …
Note: Those who did not answer are not shown. Figures may not add to subtotals due to rounding.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted May 5-11, 2025.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Majorities across several religious groups say physician-assisted death is morally permissible
% who say patients choosing to end their lives with the help of a doctor is …
| Morally wrong | Morally acceptable | Not a moral issue | TOTAL Not morally wrong | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Religiously affiliated | 44% | 28% | 26% | 54% |
| Protestant | 48% | 26% | 25% | 51% |
| > White evang. Prot. | 60% | 18% | 20% | 38% |
| > White Prot., not evang. | 25% | 46% | 28% | 74% |
| > Black Protestant | 52% | 18% | 30% | 48% |
| Catholic | 40% | 31% | 27% | 59% |
| Jewish | 23% | 53% | 23% | 76% |
| Religiously unaffiliated | 12% | 51% | 36% | 87% |
| Atheist | 5% | 66% | 29% | 95% |
| Agnostic | 6% | 63% | 30% | 93% |
| Nothing in particular | 17% | 39% | 41% | 80% |
| Among those who say religion is __ important in their life | ||||
| Very | 59% | 17% | 22% | 39% |
| Somewhat | 31% | 36% | 32% | 67% |
| Not too | 14% | 52% | 33% | 85% |
| Not at all | 8% | 56% | 36% | 91% |
Note: Those who did not answer are not shown. Figures may not add to subtotals due to rounding.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted May 5-11, 2025.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
