In a Godless universe, is suicide brave?

Question

If there's no God, what's the point of sticking around? I think that there are some really good arguments in support of suicide, but unfortunately the people who are for it are no longer around. If there's nothing really special about humanity, why not put yourself out of your misery. If we're no more significant that a blade of grass or a sewer rat, is it so bad to just get it over with? What's the point of living out a pointless existence?

Answer 1

Hi Joe, from a practical viewpoint suicide is a cowardly act, you do this to cop out of life`s hardship,but expect others to carry the burden, the ones you leave behind that is, who are left destroyed with grief and pain and the awful added hurt of trying to come to terms with it,when all they can ask is why,while never getting an answer.
Yes loved ones are left with a lifetime of hurt that was not of their own making, what sympathy or consolation do they get?

Answer 2

I think it takes courage to stick around even in the absence of a grand reason. Anyone could take the easy way out. Not that I think killing yourself is an easy task. But I can see how someone who is bent on doing it weighs momentary pain vs. a lifetime of pain and it might seem like the more logical choice when life doesn't give them any pleasure. It's a momentary solution with permanent consequences. Dealing with life in all its complexity and ambiguity takes more determination, patience, and yes, courage.

I don't know if there is a God with any amount of certainty. Therefore, I can't give you a religious answer for our significance in the universe. But I think it's even more amazing if we are here by chance. Just by the luck of the draw, this universe was able to sustain life. And life evolved to us, creatures who can contemplate our own existence. It seems such a shame to not enjoy the ride while we're here. I know I can be a "destination" sort of person. But the fun really is in the journey. It's going to end eventually, so why not take a look around while it lasts?

Answer 3

LIFE IS FUTILE

Yes, there is no God. Yes, humans aren't special (ok, better at using tools, but at least dolphins don't have wars). Yes, the second law of thermodynamics will get to us all eventually.

HOWEVER...

Life can still be fun! I remember being like you and wanting it all to end. Then, one day, I said "**** feeling sorry for myself and doing nothing all day! I'm going to go out and have fun anyway." Even though I really just felt like locking myself in my room and crying, I would go and at least try to socialize and find activities I liked. I became much happier after that.

Volunteer in an animal shelter. Learn to write short stories, or take tae kwon do. Climb a mountain. Practice the fine art of finding and keeping a significant other. Try to make friends. Life can be fun again.

Answer 4

Its all about ones perspective I guess.....and the fact that emotions are usually a cyclical thing. People have an inbuilt survival mechansim, just like animals and plants do. Some are stronger than others.

Believing in a God or Gods has little to do with wanting to live (more of a fear of dying than anything else)...we WANT to experience each moment because its human nature to do so. THAT is why humans have survived and continued to procreate for centuries despite the worst possible conditions.

You dont see tribes and villages (who often had no gods) wiping themselves out...they defend their people to the end. Freedom, love, hope, family pride, dealing with death, stress.....boredom, pain. You KNOW those things go on BUT you also know there WILL be periods of happiness too...feel the sun on your face, wind in your hair, bees busy pollinating flowers, joy of orgasm, eating a great meal when youre hungry etc...

I agree that internalising yourself.....inside your own mind and excluding the finer art of living...forgetting it because you have so much pain could be a good reason to die BUT even in pain and death there are still moments of pure joy. Last week I held my moms hand while she lay dying...her pain was controlled by medication but still KNEW the whole family were there for her...and drifting in and out of conciousness....she held my hand back, said she loved me many times and made me laugh by giving me "her" look of disgust and saying "I'm still alive"...and when she finally crossed I knew she was as comfortable and loved as any person could feel. She's atheist and we all are but that didnt take away the love we felt for her. The good, great, hugs, bad and ugly bits all melded into "who cares" at the end because once a person is gone....you cant hug them anymore to make it right or scold them for doing or saying irritating things.

People who suicide, dont give themselves or anyone peace...no chance to say goodbye. Dead is forever...so if you have the chance to live...you should hang onto it as long as possible because you never know when a REALLY awesome good bit is going to happen....could only be a moment away....as I sip my wine and hear my baby stirring awake in the next room. Suicide is silly...because you'll be dead soon enough...why bring it on sooner? Just create more fun, happiness and goals in your life and think about it next year...and next year...and next year...when you are less busy living and have absolutely no-one to care that you exist...except yourself of course.

Answer 5

To reproduce and die, thats it. Just like the animals we are. If we were ment for something else we wouldnt die in such a short time and in the same way common animals do. So step 1.. Get money and beauty to help you breed, dump your seed.. and maybe get divorced and repeat till you shrivel and die alone in an old folks home. 2 rot in the ground as your offspring trys to make others in their image.

Answer 6

Ok if there is no GOD who planted your thoughs of suicide in your head? No other animal on earth commits suicide ... its in their genes to be survivors. So it should be in yours too.

If there is a God, who created you and waents you to live, who is responsible for planting the thoughts in your head? ... the devil.

I believe the devil drives us to such points of desperation that we think suicide is the only way out. Why? Because then we cannot be free and happy.

If there is a God who created you, do you think he sits in the sky laughing at your suffering and misery ...NO... read the story about the footsteps ...

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed
he was walking along the beach with the LORD.


Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the LORD.


When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.


He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.


He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.


This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:


"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."

The LORD replied:


"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."



written by Mary Stevenson

Answer 7

There is nothing else dearer than life. Suicide is the most cowardly act one can commit. The challenge is to find what makes life worthwhile because it is . You should consult wise people.

Answer 8

in a godless universe, it is. it takes a lot to commit suicide, it isn't easy to take your own life, it isn't painless.

even knowing God does exist, i still feel insignificant, nothing in his eyes. i know i am wrong, but people's actions are always saying more than their words. so does God's actions; sitting up there and seeing it all and waiting for judgement day to punish them. makes me sick and burn with rage.

Answer 9

the point of living is to have fun while you are here, there really is no meaning of life we are just wht happen to grow on the 3rd rock from the sun. accept it and go make some babies, theres nothing else to do.

Answer 10

i think there it is better to survive if there is not god. if there is a god then dieing would be sweet cuz you get to chill with naked angels and cozy clouds!!1