The attitudes of a random sample of Cleveland clergy toward the experience of terminal illness and the circumstances justifying euthanasia are presented and analyzed. The clergy response patterns revealed that, although eager to prolong life as long as possible, terminally ill patients fear a prolonged period of illness more than death itself. They also agreed that most patients favor the disclosure of terminal illness. The clergy's response to a questionnaire exhibited a definite ranking (i.e., scaling) in the order of priority of the different circumstances justifying passive euthanasia. Using training in death counseling as a control variable produced sharper division in the response categories for each statement. The controversial nature of euthanasia and the problem of ascertaining the psychological needs of the terminally ill became more apparent with the group who had more training in death counseling. Interpretations of the findings are presented, and a need for a careful reexamination of the effects of death education on attitudes toward controversial subjects in death and dying is stressed.

ABSTRACT" 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.Although euthansia and abortion are subjects that have generated considerable controversy in recent years, there is every indication of growing concern surrounding these issues in the future. Regardless of the pigeon holes in which these topics are classified, it is certain that historically based religious attitudes in western culture underlie the heart of the argument. Since debate on the legalization of euthanasia and the legal status of abortion is likely to proliferate there is consequently an urgent need for research on the attitudinal disposition of clergy toward, both of these issues. Except for the formal statements of church spokesman there is a paucity of empirical data on the opinions of individual clergymen. One of the main reasons postulated for this lack of knowledge is our aversion to issues concerning death.

The findings of this study do not categorically confirm the popular assumption that the clergymen are opposed to euthanasia because of the sanctity with which they regard human life. Although they find active euthanasia highly unacceptable, they view passive euthanasia more favorably. However, Catholic clergymen more than Protestant, are significantly opposed to both forms of euthanasia. From the response patterns, a Guttman Scale with a high coefficient of reproducibility was derived, revealing a definite ranking in periority of the different circumstances under which the termination of life supporting techniques would be acceptable. Even though Catholic and Protestant clergymen, in about the same proportions, tend to see the terminal patient as competent to make decisions concerning euthanasia, the two groups, strongly agree that neither the individual patient nor the state should be allowed sole responsibility for the decision.

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