Religious question about suicide (church, Islam, faith, pray)

[g-vegas]

Originally Posted by Padgett2

Does the Bible really say that suicide is a sin?

Other than "man cannot take what he cannot give." I can't think of one right now.

(I have a cousin that used that scripture to get out of milking the cow before school. so scripture can be twisted, if you want to bad enough)

Of course, "Thou shalt not murder". Murder is not just killing someone else, it is killing anyone that has life, even yourself.

[SuSuSushi]

Originally Posted by g-vegas

Of course, "Thou shalt not murder". Murder is not just killing someone else, it is killing anyone that has life, even yourself.

If you stay in a burning building, you're killing yourself. If you jump from a high window, you're killing yourself.

So what you're saying is that if anyone is trapped in a burning building and their only choice is to stay and die, or jump to their death...that they're going to hell either way.

[mzjamiedawn]

If one is continually walking in the light, his sins are forgiven. If the person who decided to jump rather than face a more horrible death was living his life right, he would be forgiven.

Otherwise, think about it...if you think you won't go to heaven because of one sin, who would make it to heaven? None of us is perfect. We'd have to ask for forgiveness 24/7 out of fear of dying with one sin on us.

I don't think jumping from the building to avoid a more horrible death by staying would be suicide. You're going to die either way. It would be human nature to take the less painful way.

And if all else fails, do like sususushi said, and repent on your way down!

[Padgett2]

Think about the man that throws himself on a grenade. That's suicide. He knows he's going to die. But suppose in so doing it, he saves the lives of others. It's still suicide, but is it still a sin?

"Thou shalt not kill." And yet, your government sends men into war without a thought about causing them to sin. War is wrong. But sometimes it is the lesser of two evils. Suicide is sometimes in the same category.

[g-vegas]

Originally Posted by SuSuSushi

If you stay in a burning building, you're killing yourself. If you jump from a high window, you're killing yourself.

So what you're saying is that if anyone is trapped in a burning building and their only choice is to stay and die, or jump to their death...that they're going to hell either way.

No, first if your saved, you dont go to hell, even if you sin. Second, unless you started the fire in the building to kill yourself, whatever you do was not murder cause did not inflict it on yourself. I you stay in the building you will die, but the only other choice is to jump, and you will die. If you dont have any other choice but to die, than the Lord is the one who is saying it is your time to go.

[g-vegas]

Originally Posted by Padgett2

Think about the man that throws himself on a grenade. That's suicide. He knows he's going to die. But suppose in so doing it, he saves the lives of others. It's still suicide, but is it still a sin?

"Thou shalt not kill." And yet, your government sends men into war without a thought about causing them to sin. War is wrong. But sometimes it is the lesser of two evils. Suicide is sometimes in the same category.

Throwing your self on a grenade for someone else is not suicide, it is love, the Bible even states, "There is no greater love than this, than a man lay down his life for a friend." War is not wrong, it is not pleasant, but it is a necessary unpleasantness. The Bible talks plenty about God sending his people into battle.

[BST]

First, I have great compassion for those who have no hope...and who are realistically considering death as their only alternative to life's troubles. I cannot judge that person. I am not qualified to do so.

Second, the scenario of the OP paints one into such a corner that the only choice is death. When you no longer have control of the outcome, is it really a conscious choice to die?

Finally, I think a choice to take one's own life, while a final act of desparation, may not be a curse to damnation.

'Sin' is an archery term that means "you missed the bull's-eye." Redemption from sin, to me, means the consequences of my bad aim are not held against me. My response to that graceful act of forgiveness is to become a better archer...because I am no longer afraid of missing, my aim becomes true. Therefore, forgiveness is not a license to sin more...rather the impediment that made me a habitual sinner is removed, and I am a better person for it.

[loose cannon]

Im really moving away from belief in damnantion. It's ludicrous! Sucide, Eternal Sin. I will no longer be held captive by these doctrines. I will live the way I want to live! Im free!

[cncracer]

I have mixed feeling on the subject. As an atheist I have no religious baggage to deal with, but in the case of an individual who is healthy and having depression or mental health problems I would hope there would be a medical path to prevent suicide.

In the event of sickness with no hope of cure; which included pain and being drugged beyond the ability to feel life, I think allowing a suicide would be the kindest thing a person could do.

It has always seemed strange that man could see this need to help his pets die, but could not recognize the need in his fellow human.

How far is having to unplug a family member with the do not restart documents from suicide? I think this is that grey area of choice many would call suicide and the extream would call it murder.

It is a hard subject and I still have no answers accept for myself.

[BST]

Originally Posted by cncracer

I have mixed feeling on the subject. As an atheist I have no religious baggage to deal with, but in the case of an individual who is healthy and having depression or mental health problems I would hope there would be a medical path to prevent suicide.

In the event of sickness with no hope of cure; which included pain and being drugged beyond the ability to feel life, I think allowing a suicide would be the kindest thing a person could do.

It has always seemed strange that man could see this need to help his pets die, but could not recognize the need in his fellow human.

How far is having to unplug a family member with the do not restart documents from suicide? I think this is that grey area of choice many would call suicide and the extream would call it murder.

It is a hard subject and I still have no answers accept for myself.

Having faced my father's death recently, I have a fresh memory of his last days. None of us wanted to hasten his dying...and none of us wanted to prolong his suffering. On the morning he passed away, I had great peace and relief. Those emotions came from my faith and a hope that there is a new life after death.

I can understand that some people demand proof before they believe. But my experience is real enough for me that it's all the proof I need. For me, life beyond the grave is so much more intriguing and positive than the reality we know in the here and now. And if it turns out that it's all been a fairy tale, at least I had great peace and hope on a day that many others would have been miserable. It's a choice I'm happy with.