Religion and fake religion!?

Question

If suicide is rewarded by being sent to hell than why do people smoke? Surely they know they are killing themselves and in turn commiting suicide so how can they be true believers? I see it all the time because I live in front of a church! They come out after service and blaze up a cigarette! If that isnt suicide then what is!

Answer 1

John G, in your response to this question you say:
"Smokers are not intentionally trying to kill themselves. A lot of them are hooked and wish they could stop. Shooting yourself in the head, drug overdose, and jumping off of a cliff or building are a lot different."

Those that OD on drugs are most often hooked and wish they could stop! A lot of suicides wish they could end their intense suffering (usually a by-product of depression and trauma) and they too wish they could 'stop'. There is no difference. Like blueflower said, as you simply cannot know the reality of someone else's inner and outer life, it is impossible to judge their experience.

This question rings true loudly, and I wish someone religious would stand up and say "Hey, my god would never send someone who experienced intense suffering here on earth to a place in which they have to suffer until the end of time." I am not religious, so I cannot say it as such - but I know that I find it morally reprehensible that people call God an "all-knowing, all-loving, omniscient, powerful" male figure and yet believe that he is so full of hate he could torture people so horribly.

And Drew D., you wrote:
"It is something that church people might do once a year and smoking is not sucidle it is your own choice that you pick that you want to do for the rest of your life."

So now "church people" aren't smokers? At least suicides only commit their "sin" (an end to suffering) once in a lifetime. If smoking is not suicide but your own choice, then how is suicide not your own choice too? If one didn't choose it, it would be homicide.

How can someone believe so strongly in the Bible as Truth, then stretch and twist that truth to suit themselves? It also reads in the Bible that unbaptized children will go to hell, no ifs, ands, or buts. Is the allegory only in what you wish it to be and the rest truth?

I believe in energy, in light, in the goodwill in most everyone. I believe we find salvation and solace in unending kindnesses, in learning to be humane and compassionate. While I hope that those who are thinking of suicide get some help from a counselor or psychiatrist before making such an agonizing decision for themselves and those that love them, it is not fair to categorize them as needing to suffer more.

Great question, Mr. Sunshine. I hope someone can enlighten us as to why a god so deserving of such worship, so delightful and wondrous, should even have a hell. I know I may be bombarded with the fact that "hell" isn't really fire and brimstone but just a constant nothingness, and what can I say? More twisting of biblical verse? And what angry and judgemental God is deserving of worship? There is no original sin, just great fallacy in believing so. We have our whole lives to make our choices - some simply have less choices than others do.

All the best with finding good answers!

Answer 2

There is a difference between suicide and malice to your own health. It is not illegal, just not recommended. Not following the 10 commandments are illegal.

Now to another side of the story. it is a fact that the suicide rate is higher than the homocide rate. I don't know the statistics for today, but I know it is getting lower. In 2003, the rate for suicide deaths to homocide was 3:1. And for every successfull suicide, there are 8-25 attempted. Scary numbers. I WILL NOT accept that all people who commit suicide go to hell. It just is not JUST. Unless the shoe is on your feet, you can not judge the circumstances that individuals are placed in. Neither can I and as far as I am led to believe, only GOD is worthy of saying what is to be. How can GOD be all forgiving if He can not forgive? Kind of takes away HIS true majesty and mercy if you ask me. But you aren't, so this is just my 2 pennies. PEACE!

EDIT: This confuses me at times. There is religion and false religion. But if it exists and can function, then how is it false? I know that the differences is if it is of the lord GOD of israel(pbuh), then it is real. If it isn't, then it is false. But then why does so many false religions teach incredible notions of peace compared to that of others?

Answer 3

I know a whole lot of people who have died and I dont know anyone yet who has died from smoking. Im sure there are some that do but the chances are a whole lot greater of dying from a car accident than from smoking. No one ever asks that though "why if the leading cause of death in any age groups is car accident, why do people still drive?" There is no gaurentee that smoking will even cause an illness. Some people get sick from it, some do not so it isnt even remotely like putting a gun to your head with intentions to kill yourself right now. I smoke and IF I get a smoking related illness, it most likely will not be until late in my life when everything from living is now taking its toll on my body, pollution, food, contaminated water, sunlight etc.where as I can be killed today driving to work.

Think about it.

Answer 4

I believe that a person who honestly proclaims Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, would choose not to smoke. For this exact reason. Lead by example. When you are born again you are supposed to crucify your old self and no longer be a slave to sin but a slave to Jesus Christ. Before I was a became born again I smoked, chewed, went bar hoping and everything under the sun. I realized that I am a sinner and that without Jesus as Lord of my life I would end up in hell. Jesus was the second Adam the first brought sin into the world and cursed mankind, the second died and suffered God's wrath for us and provided a way for us to be forgiven.

Answer 5

I completely agree with you and have thought the same thing. But due to the Word of Wisdom that my religion believes in says that we can't smoke. So no Mormons smoke unless they are unactive or unwilling, which would be sad. I also believe Alcohal and drugs and inhale stuff is suicidal and my religion also bans it so i'm GLAD!

Answer 6

also in that category is eating too much fat and sodium,,,, driving drunk,,,,, no seat belts on school buses (guess that ones childrencide though) ,,,,,,not having radon/carbondioxide/smokedetectors in your home,,,,,,, leading a stress filled life etc etc etc,,,, there are many ways to passively take your life, by just living you are dieing,,,,so i dont think that qualifies as suicide,,,, plus it depends on what church your in front of,,,, some religions do not see suicide as a horrible crime, nor that the people go to hell, only a few do,, others see it as a troubled soul who will go to heaven and be healed

Answer 7

Well, people can be well meaning, and well intentioned.

But in the end we is all just plain folks! Doin' the best that we can, but cigarettes is an addiction.

And some people are just not strong enough right away to break their addictions.

As there faith becomes stronger maybe that will happen.

Answer 8

Sin in essence is to control your happiness outside of God's boundaries. We like to feel relaxed, and to do that through a controlled substance (cigarettes) instead of God is outside of his boundaries. To find relief outside of God's boundaries such as suicide is also a sin. The only sin that you void yourself of the opportunity to repent of is suicide. After you're dead, you're done.

Answer 9

Jesus-ianity: You 2 could have partiality from an independent God regulation<--regulation: Vengeance is mine saith the regulation to the regulation. Billy-goat-Graham & Son: enable's all have one handbag, and that i will carry the handbag Jack-in-the-field: i will promise to fade, yet shop doping up like an Impe Stephen Hawking: Now accessible in Lego

Answer 10

Over 60% of those who commit suicide are clinically depressed. Which as most of you probably don't know, is an inbalance in the brain which causes both physical and psychological abnormities.