Do you think suicide is a forgivable sin?

Question

I find it funny how some of you don't, but you have never, or never will, have come close to suffering from clinical depression. No one can say they have suffered from true diagnosed clinical depression and not thought about killing themselves. These are not thoughts of the person's own, these are thoughts drove into them through an illness that claims many lives every year.

Until you have felt your body eating itself while you are still alive, I think you should back off and show a little compassion, as I saw a girl come in here earlier who was very sick, and all you could do was judge her and push her closer to the edge, some of you people make me sick....

Do you think most of the people who commit suicide want to die? Do you know what clinical depression does to someone. Most people just want to feel normal again, something many havn't felt for a long time. You have no idea what clinical depression does to both the mind and the body.

Answer 1

Catholics believe suicide when committed in full knowledge and deliberate consent is a complete turning away from God (a mortal sin) and will send a person to hell.

There are 3 conditions of a mortal sin: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent.

While suicide (or any kind of murder) is always a grave matter, people who commit suicide may not always have full knowledge of what they're doing. Drugs can definitely impair one's thinking, as can other things, such as diseases, intense pain, or anguish.

Therefore, suicide is not automatically treated as a mortal sin.

We are commanded by Christ not to judge others so we leave final judgment to God who alone knows each person's heart.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

I feel that when a person commits suicide, as you say, it is because they are so depressed that they cannot see any way out of the pit of despair that they are in. Depression is an illness, which doctors are finally learning to treat. It is unfortunate that there is still the stigma attached which prevents many people from getting the help that they need. No, it is not a sin. What is a sin is intolerance and rudeness and unmerciful behavior.

Answer 3

Yes if even a sin. I think people who do it feel that there is some sort of afterlife where whatever is eating away at them won't be present. I personally know of 2 people near where I used to live who killed themselves. In one case it was supposed to be over some girl whereas I don't know about the other lad. I have thought about this a lot but I take anti-depressants and I hope they will help me carry on. One reason I didn't do it was the thought of what it would do to my mother.

Answer 4

It's not a sin. Sin is a myth. But, as you say, most suicide is the result of depression and depression is possibly the most underdiagnosed disease around (there's still a great stigma attached to it - people who admit to it are perceived as weak as is anybody with any diagnosed psychological condition). It blows. That said though, this is probably not a good place to get help for it at all - you'd probably get more therapteutic benefit from a bunch of five year olds trying to diagnose what brought on this bout of depression (sorry, just the thought of a 5 y/o playing not just doctor but therapist kind of cracks me up).

Answer 5

I am not sure of your question, but as a survivor of numerous suicide attempts myself and a pastor who has counseled the survivors of those who did commit suicide, I'd like to give my input.
Clinical depression does play with one's mind - as does mania and how many other mental diseases or intense physical pain.
Judas betrayed Jesus 1 time and evidently could not accept Jesus forgiveness.
Peter denied - far worse - Jesus 3 times but accepted the forgiveness.
The distinction has been helpful for me as I wrestled with the "unforgivable sin" - which changes according to the current morality. I understand that sin to be the rejection of the Holy Spirit. I do not find it my place to judge what happens as life ends for a suicidal victim. I do find it my opportunity to feel their pain and bless them w/ God's peace.

Answer 6

I feel that God looks past the disease and will forgive them. That person doesn't want to be depressed, it's not their fault that they are ill and their brain isn't functioning properly. It frustrates me when people try to say for sure what God will or won't do, I can only give my opinion. However, the God who sacrificed his son's life to save ours is a God of love and understanding. Why would a God who did that judge someone based upon an illness that affects their brain?

Answer 7

I like what Martin Luther said about it in the film Luther, of a boy who had hanged himself. Although it was a fictional scene, I think it offers a good perspective. He said, "Some people say that according to God's justice, this boy is damned because he took his life. I say it was overcome by the devil. Is this child any more to blame for the despair that overtook him than an innocent man who is murdered by a robber in the woods? God must be mercy."

Answer 8

Well if it's not forgivable, then Samson wouldn't be mentioned in the Hebrews hall of faith:

Hebrews 11:32

EDIT:
Jett
I've lost two brothers to suicide; I understand very well what you're talking about. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy! You're never the same as a family again. Never!

Answer 9

I'm bipolar. Even on my meds, I get suicidal at times. Can't be helped. At those times, it doesn't matter how much it might hurt others in my life if I were to kill myself. Would I be forgiven? Yes. Would it be hurtful to people? Very much so. Is it worth living through such times? Sometimes, but not always. I don't know.

Answer 10

well that depends on who you want to belive , according to the priests and pope i would say yes , personally i feel some people should be allowed to commit suicide , as there are a ton of reasons that some people just won't understand