This question is for athiests...its about suicide...?

Question

I'm just curious, if you are atheist...what are your feelings on suicide....since you don't believe in God, you obviously don't believe in Heaven or Hell. The whole "commit suicide thing and go to hell" must only pertain to people who believe in God. So what does an atheist think...I mean if religious people say that life is just the step before Heaven, then what do atheists think about providing their own exit, since their is no Heaven for them?

Answer 1

Perhaps 'they' make it up as 'they' go along?
My friend (a self proclaimed atheist) says that;

"Life 'happens' - you are here, via your parents sex act -
You live, and then you die. . .
We come from 'nowhere' and we return to 'nowhere' . . .
All that religion stuff is created by humans to resolve their fear of the unknown."

Sounds plausible to me . . .

Answer 2

When I was Atheist, I had no problem with suicide, and still don't. I believe that a person has the right to end their own life. Can you persuade them not to? Sure, by all means. We don't want people all over the place just killing themselves because they don't like the hand that life dealt them. But if someone is terminally ill, and is going to die after months or even years of agony, It's far more moral for them to die before the horrendous pain sets in. We do it for pets, why not people? When a cat is going to die, we don't let it sit there until it organs give out, we have it euthanized because it's more humane. People should be granted the same right. As far as depression goes, I think people should know that there is help and life won't always be like this, but when it comes down to it, it's their life, not mine. They have the right to end it if they so choose.

As I implied in the beginning of this answer, I'm no longer an atheist, however I'd say that my morals remain unchanged. Knowing that there is a divine being, has no impact on weather I am moral or immoral.

Answer 3

Consider this. I am an atheist.

My parents divorced and since my mother's boyfriend molested me when I was about three, my dad got custody. But he didn't want me, so he left me with my grandmother to raise me.

She died 20 days before Christmas (when I was nine) and my father and his soon to follow parade of rude girlfriends followed. He was abusive and neglectful, and got engaged- without telling me. I found out from the neighbor.

I ran away when I was 17 (after graduating high school) and have moved cross country from friend to friend in a vain attempt to make enough money to support myself.

I must have tried killing myself more than 20 times, all sorts of methods. Because I felt useless, worthless, unloved, unwanted, and cursed.

I still think there is nothing wrong with suicide, and no one can really call me selfish since I disowned my family and only really have two friends. I don't think about what will happen after I kill myself. I think about all the pain that is and will keep happening if I DON'T.

*shrugs*

Now, though, after YEARS of pain and struggling I'm finally starting to scrape out enough to make it on my own come this summer. Would I regret having succeeded in killing myself?

No, because I wouldn't have known better since once I was dead, I believe nothing happens to me except I become worm fodder.

Answer 4

Because to some people the idea of not existing at all seems better than living a painful and miserable life. I personally think that suicide is a selfish act, as it often causes such pain for all the people that are left behind. But killing yourself is just putting an end to your suffering, like going to sleep puts an end to your day, and being punched in the face puts an end to your being conscious.

Answer 5

Most atheists still consider life to be precious, so Suicide is still frowned upon.

Additionally, suicide harms the family and friends of the victim. Athiests have friends and families, and love them, so they try to resist suicide.

Most suicidal people are such because of depression, loss, or suffering. Religion doesn't really play a part. In fact, religioous beliefs become eclipsed by the suicidal person's problems.

Answer 6

I think that we should make the most of this life. Its the only one we have. I think that people commit suicide when they feel hopeless and can't imagine living anymore with the pain they are feeling. I believe they can not cope because they are suffering from a chemical imbalance.

I think that the best thing to do is to see a doctor and get some medicine. No one is to blame for having a chemical imbalance in the brain - it happens to perfectly normal people.

Answer 7

Suicide is wrong. You don't have to believe in hell to think that. look at who gets left behind. My cousin's ex husband shot him self a few months ago and intentionally left 4 kids 11 and under behind with out a father. Why would I as an atheist think that was OK?

Answer 8

As an atheist, I realize how precious life is. The fact that when you die, there is nothing, tells me that we should appreciate life all so much more. We're here for a short while... make the most of it and leave humanity with the best you can.

Not to mention, don't hurt anyone while you are here. There are always people who care about you.

Answer 9

My personal opinion as an atheist is that since there is no afterlife, it's pointless to shorten your only life. Keeping that in mind, it's always up to the individual.

Answer 10

it is still wrong.

As an atheist I put great emphasis on this life since it is all we have. And to me the purpose of life is living your life for the betterment of all life. Killing yourself does not serve this purpose...unless you have some horrible plans for the world should you go on living.