Choosing to die

SIR – We value life as a precious gift of God, but also uphold the right of individuals who are approaching their last few months to hand back that gift gracefully if they feel the quality of their life is about to deteriorate beyond the point at which they want to continue.

We therefore support on religious grounds the Rob Marris Assisted Dying Bill for those who are terminally ill, mentally competent and would want the choice (report, August 14). It is a view shared by the majority of people with faith. Those who intend carrying on until their very last breath should receive full support, but so too should those who are dying and want to let go of a life that they no longer wish to live. There is nothing sacred about suffering, nothing holy about agony, and individuals should not be obliged to endure it.

We call on MPs and other religious leaders to back a law that combines stringent protections with compassionate principles.

Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain Chairman, Inter-Faith Leaders for Dignity in Dying Rev Professor Paul Badham Rt Rev Lord Carey of Clifton Rabbi Dr David Goldberg Canon Rosie Harper Rev Baroness Richardson of Calow Rev Ruth Scott Rev Nicolas Stacey Rt Rev Alan Wilson

Bishop of Buckingham SIR – Having previously decried the “slippery slope” argument against the proposed bill to legalise euthanasia, Lord Carey, the former archbishop of Canterbury, now illustrates its reality. Allowing doctors to help terminally ill people take their own lives has, in his view, become a “profoundly Christian and moral thing” to do.

As a Christian doctor, I shall base my morality on the Bible and 2,000 years of interpretation of its teaching.

Dr David Powell

Peniel, Carmarthenshire