Is Suicide a Sin?

Is suicide a sin

  • Yes - all things being equal

    Votes: 8 24.2%

  • No, I believe there are exceptions

    Votes: 3 9.1%

  • Maybe - I'm on the fence with this

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Yes, it's a sin. Period.

    Votes: 23 69.7%
  • Total voters
    33
  • Poll closed .
Laela

Laela

Sidestepping the "lynch mob"
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-dml/dml-y038.html

God tells us to choose Life and I believe someone who chooses suicide to deal with their pain (i.e. they are sober and premeditating the act) isn't taking God up on his offer that he will provide a way of escape.

But what about people who are mentally ill and die in that diseased state of mind? Have they sinned?
 
What does the option mean, "Yes-all things being equal"?

I think that if someone isn't in a rational state of mind that they won't be held accountable as if they were. But some people argue that anyone in deep enough despair to take their own life couldn't be in a rational state of mind. This is such a painful thing. I do think there is a difference between the mentally ill (schizophrenic, paranoid, etc.) and the severely depressed in this situation.

I believe that the sin of suicide is giving into the deception that God has abandoned you, that there is no answer for you. The sin is despair since it ultimately lacks faith at its most fundamental level. That is meant as no judgment whatsoever on those who have taken their own life.
 
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You know, I remember asking my former pastor about this subject and he said something very profound to me concerning suicide being a sin and sending one to hell. He said we can't judge if someone's in heaven or hell who've committed this act because only God knows that person's mental state when they committed it. When someone takes their life, they have to be in some serious despair. :nono:
 
I always thought it was.

I remember a woman who suffered from postpartnum depression ended up killing herself and I kept thinking is she going to hell. I mean it was the hormones from her pregnancy that caused the depression, will she go to hell for that?

I want to hear more responses.
 
As someone who has contemplated suicide many times in my life....I do believe it is a sin. I think it is because it is a selfish act that puts you before God. If you truly believe in God and put all your faith and trust in him you wouldn't go through with it. He would find some way to keep you from doing it. And a person wouldn't want to go through it because they would find themselves calling on God to rescue them and renew them or giving them some reason to keep living.
 
What I meant was all situations falling under suicide... whether the person's in their right mind or not.
I agree that we can't make that call that someone who kills themselves will go to hell, for only God knows that person's state of mind and he is a merciful God.
Mentally ill people are even treated with mercy in the court systems because they are more of a danger to themselves than others because they aren't in their right minds. Some would say they are demon-possessed but that may not always be the case.
I do believe that suicide could be seen as a way out for those who are sober (not mentally ill) as it is a way to remove the pain more so than to take their lives. But they also need prayer and mercy by others.

God won't give us more than we can bare... I'll always believe that.


nicola.kirwan said:
What does the option mean, "Yes-all things being equal"?

I think that if someone isn't in a rational state of mind that they won't be held accountable as if they were. But some people argue that anyone in deep enough despair to take their own life couldn't be in a rational state of mind. This is such a painful thing. I do think there is a difference between the mentally ill (schizophrenic, paranoid, etc.) and the severely depressed in this situation.

I believe that the sin of suicide is giving into the deception that God has abandoned you, that there is no answer for you. The sin is despair since it ultimately lacks faith at its most fundamental level. That is meant as no judgment whatsoever on those who have taken their own life.
Click to expand...
 
We have no ideal why people do it we can only guess only God knows the real and true reason. Now the commandments say thou shall not kill we know they have broken the commandements a Just person would call on God in all circumstances and believe that God will deliver them from whatever they are suffering. but in unjust person doesn't have faith, doesnt' have the true belief that God can heal. there are instances in the bible where person took their life to save others. Not because of hopelessness but because of the circumstances. The love of a people, knowing God fully. Only God knows our true motives, we would willing lay down out lives for our children in a particular circumstances I do not think that is the same as suicide. But the thing is most people committ suicide to their bodies on the daily bases, smoking is slow murder and overeating and undereating is slow murder decreasing your life expectancy and many other things. Our bodies are to be treated holy.
 
Having been someone who has failed 10+ times of committing suicide I know now that it's a sin in my opinion because your unable to repent. I know that God will be the one who make the final decision as to where you spend eternity but I know that even though I may feel like Im already in hell doesn't mean I am.

I wish more people esp those of the black race would talk about this topic. Its one of the taboo topics like homosexual men in the church. Life can be so hard at times and people give up on you because they gave you a little encouragement and think your will be better instantaneously. Many also believe suicide means you have some mental problem.
 
Laela said:
But what about people who are mentally ill and die in that diseased state of mind? Have they sinned?
Click to expand...

A sin is a sin : no exception. Suicide is a sin, period !
Suicide means murder, not of someone else, but against your own body.
Ex. 20.13 Thou shalt not kill.
Ez. 18.4 Behold, all souls are mine…

With suicide, you cut yourself off repentance and the source of life.

Be aware, even someone who accepts the sovereignty of God can be depressed and ask to die :
1K. 19.4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

There is planned murder and unplanned murder. In Numbers 35, God does not see these two sins the same way :
Nu. 35.15 These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither. 35.16 And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

So, to answer your question : mentally ill or not, with a suicide, Yes they’ve sinned. But, if I understand, if someone is mentally ill, his suicide can not be considered as a planned sin.

For the punishment : only God knows !
[FONT=&quot]But, I tend to believe that some will be judged more severely than others : let’s not forget that mentally ill can mean not responsible for.[/FONT]
 
:goodpost:





Crown said:
A sin is a sin : no exception. Suicide is a sin, period !
Suicide means murder, not of someone else, but against your own body.
Ex. 20.13 Thou shalt not kill.
Ez. 18.4 Behold, all souls are mine…

With suicide, you cut yourself off repentance and the source of life.

Be aware, even someone who accepts the sovereignty of God can be depressed and ask to die :
1K. 19.4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

There is planned murder and unplanned murder. In Numbers 35, God does not see these two sins the same way :
Nu. 35.15 These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither. 35.16 And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

So, to answer your question : mentally ill or not, with a suicide, Yes they’ve sinned. But, if I understand, if someone is mentally ill, his suicide can not be considered as a planned sin.

For the punishment : only God knows !
[FONT=&quot]But, I tend to believe that some will be judged more severely than others : let’s not forget that mentally ill can mean not responsible for.[/FONT]
Click to expand...
 
:goodpost:

ITA.. depression and suicidal thoughts ought to be dealt with and not swept under the rug.. Pebbles posted a great Sticky thread in this forum that I go back to read every now and then. I think prayers are constantly needed, because ANY ONE OF US can slip into a bout of depression or be dismayed for one reason or another. No one's exempt from attacks, but there's always comfort in knowing we have a choice and that glimmer of hope is always what gets us back on our feet. :yep: God always blesses those who choose Life.

Like the Psalmist David..though he can be seen as "schizophrenic"... there's a reason for that. He had this desperate hope that gave him Peace, even in the midst of any Storm. Blows my mind every time I think of the Psalms. When I'm down, it's usually the Psalms I run to. And when I'm upbeat and grateful, I get lifted by the Psalms as well.

I personally feel that people who battle depression more often than others are really a threat to Satan's plans for them, because they have the strength to fight and get back up. The battle is in the mind. Some of the most incredible testimonies I've read are by Warriors for Christ who broke through.

Could be the enemy sees some David in you now.... keep singing in your heart. Keep smiling. Let folks think you're crazy when you praise him in the Storm ... :drunk:

coco_diva4 said:
Having been someone who has failed 10+ times of committing suicide I know now that it's a sin in my opinion because your unable to repent. I know that God will be the one who make the final decision as to where you spend eternity but I know that even though I may feel like Im already in hell doesn't mean I am.

I wish more people esp those of the black race would talk about this topic. Its one of the taboo topics like homosexual men in the church. Life can be so hard at times and people give up on you because they gave you a little encouragement and think your will be better instantaneously. Many also believe suicide means you have some mental problem.
Click to expand...
 
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As the Mother of an only child who committed suicide, I know for a fact, it's not a sin. God gave me insight and understanding when my son committed suicide. My son lived for 40 minutes before he died and I was shown that in that 40 minutes, God came to him and asked if he wanted to go with God. I know my son said yes, due to things that happened after he passed away. I know that my son was not in his right mind and God does not hold them accountable for what they do. Without the peace and understanding God gave me, I wouldn't have been able to make it.
 
Coffee said:
As the Mother of an only child who committed suicide, I know for a fact, it's not a sin. God gave me insight and understanding when my son committed suicide. My son lived for 40 minutes before he died and I was shown that in that 40 minutes, God came to him and asked if he wanted to go with God. I know my son said yes, due to things that happened after he passed away. I know that my son was not in his right mind and God does not hold them accountable for what they do. Without the peace and understanding God gave me, I wouldn't have been able to make it.
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Coffee, I am so sorry that you and your son had to go through that.
 
I'm sorry for your loss... :Rose:

Coffee said:
As the Mother of an only child who committed suicide, I know for a fact, it's not a sin. God gave me insight and understanding when my son committed suicide. My son lived for 40 minutes before he died and I was shown that in that 40 minutes, God came to him and asked if he wanted to go with God. I know my son said yes, due to things that happened after he passed away. I know that my son was not in his right mind and God does not hold them accountable for what they do. Without the peace and understanding God gave me, I wouldn't have been able to make it.
Click to expand...
 
Thank you ladies. My son's passing brought me so much closer to God and as I said before, a greater understanding and knowledge. Knowing that I will see him again brings me peace and joy.
 
Coffee, I thank you for your post. I am the mother of a child whose father committed suicide when she was 4 years old. We were not together at that time, but I know the pain of dealing with suicide and raising a fatherless child all the while knowing he is missing graduations and birthdays. I don't know where he is now but I believe God reads the heart and knows that self injury is an act of a person in severe emotional pain.
 
I certainly believe it is a sin. However, we serve a just God who will consider every circumstance and every heart. :yep:
 
Well said...

I just read about that Cleveland serial rapist..he's on suicide watch... it's a chilling story. :sad:


divya said:
I certainly believe it is a sin. However, we serve a just God who will consider every circumstance and every heart. :yep:
Click to expand...
 
Laela said:
Well said...

I just read about that Cleveland serial rapist..he's on suicide watch... it's a chilling story. :sad:
Click to expand...

That story is so terrible...so terrible. I'm on world suffering overload right now. In my human rights class yesterday, we discussed the rape of children as young as 10 months old in the Congo, child soldiers around the world (especially the females), the Uighurs' situation in China etc. :cry: Ready for Jesus to come and make this world anew...
 
WHAT!!!?!!! :shocked: What's going on in Congo and Sudan is getting worse.. and five years ago was bad! :nono:

Jesus.... have mercy. :(
 
Laela said:
But what about people who are mentally ill and die in that diseased state of mind? Have they sinned?
Click to expand...

I wonder if your question isn't really, "Are those that commit the act of suicide who are mentally challenged judged adversely by almighty God?"

Considering that sin is, "Missing the mark of perfection", the fact that a person is in a "diseased state of mind" is a by-product of sin. The sin we inherited from Adam and Eve. So, "Yes"; suicide is definitely sin.
 
It's unfortunate that it is a sin, because a person must feel like they're living in hell on earth in order to commit suicide. I know it is a sin, but i've never understood why. Yes, I know that committing suicide is wrong because you are choosing your own destiny, instead of submitting to God's will. However, I also know that someone that has dealt with those feelings for a long period of time probably feels like a hostage to life.
 
coco_diva4 said:
Having been someone who has failed 10+ times of committing suicide I know now that it's a sin in my opinion because your unable to repent. I know that God will be the one who make the final decision as to where you spend eternity but I know that even though I may feel like Im already in hell doesn't mean I am.

It may not mean you are, but for the average person perception = reality.

I wish more people esp those of the black race would talk about this topic. Its one of the taboo topics like homosexual men in the church. Life can be so hard at times and people give up on you because they gave you a little encouragement and think your will be better instantaneously. Many also believe suicide means you have some mental problem.
Click to expand...


This will probably NEVER change, because after disclosing it people will attribute everything that person says/does to them being suicidal even years later. Ex. " She 's a miserable person. She was suicidal once, you know."
There was a thread in ET about Lisa Nicole Carson and people were wondering why she didn't disclose more about her struggles with mental illness. My sentiments remain the same, " For what?!" Why would someone solicit more ridicule?
 
I remember wondering about this, or mercy killing as one might do when one helps another take their own life to ease their pain--say someone in a vegetable state--and someone said something to me that I will never forget: God is a perfect God. There is no commandment of His that contradicts another, so when He says "Thou shalt not kill," He really means it. That was enough for me to know that I should not commit suicide or help another commit suicide.

But since killing at war or self-defense (as David did Goliath) was never taught to me as being a sin but rather it was done "with God's help", I am guessing that suicide is one of those things we as humans cannot make judgments on--since depression is a disease--and perhaps we'll just have to let the true Judge make that call on Judgment Day.
 
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