Why is suicide a crime?

Question

Doesn't an individual have the sole right to determine if he/she continues living or not?

Eyesopen16,

I think this is something you should read. http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/

First let me say I know the devastating effects of having someone close to you commit suicide first hand. I am truly sorry to hear about your dad. But what I believe is if someone chooses to address their problems via suicide then I believe that decision should be respected. Even if the decision is an extremely selfish and cowardly one. No one else will ever understand their headspace exactly. People cope with problems differently. To make it a crime is a violation similair to inhibiting freedom of speech and thought!

Thaylen M,

While there might not be much that can be done to someone who's already dead, those who survive a suicide attempt have been known to have legal actions taken against them. Even if they're the only "victim" of the "crime".

Answer 1

They should but then that would mean that the goverment has lost control of you, heres why.....
Because if you do it and "succeed" that means it "works" and as our goverment only likes to control that which "works" it cant control you killing yourself so it must be made into a criminal act, if that doesnt make sence, take a look at the canabis and alcohol issue, which one "CAN" be controled?
As we all know that both "work" even "speed" and "Heroin" and "cocaine" work! just as Morphine, caffeine and Ambian work.
Do yo see a pattern here?
All the synthetics, lab created, mass produced items get controled by the Goverment, but the homegrown, imported, natural, easily accessed get the Illegal to prossess, use, sell, transport....ect....becasue they cant be controled....PERIOD!

Answer 2

Suicide is in most cases the result of a serious mental illness. Punishing people for attempted suicide makes as much sense to me as to punish a diabetic for going blind as a result of their illness.

I don't know why it's a crime in some places. I don't know why some people insist on others suffering forever. Society is not very willing to help people with serious mental illnesses, but is ready to punish them. Maybe it has something to do with society's power-fetish to control other people's lives or maybe it has to do with insurance (to prevent people from killing themselves so that family can claim insurance money).

In my country attempted suicide is not a crime, but people who attempt suicide are considered out of their mind and a danger to themselves (and sometimes others) and can be forced into medical treatment to rid them of the suicidal thoughts "for their own good".

Personally I have mixed feelings on the subject. I think it should be each individual's right to end their life if they no longer want to live, but at the same time I know that many individuals can be cured of their illnesses and can live a good life and find happiness again even though they don't believe it when they are suicidal. I wonder if it would be possible to find some middle ground. To help people get well if they can, but if they can't get well and get out of the pain then let them end it if they want rather than force them to suffer for the rest of their life.

Answer 3

Think about that okay. If suicide was a crime and a person killed themself---who would be prosecuted? The person is dead. No, suicide is not a crime but it is one of the most selfish things that a person can do. A natural or accidental death is more easily dealt with than a suicide because those left behind would feel as though they failed the person who took their own life and that will add guilt to grief. It personifies selfishness to do that to someone.

Answer 4

If someone commits suicide with no help I don't think it's a crime. It's considered a Mortal sin to Catholics.

If you're asking about assisted suicide, that's a different scenario. The person who helps the person wanting to die, is considered by law to be guilty of murder because they have caused the death of another. The law doesn't take into account the special circumstances of a slow, painful death, etc.

I sympathize. It's terrible to see a loved one suffering and not be able to do anything to help.

Answer 5

self inflicted suicide or attempted suicide is not a crime.

assisted suicide is a crime.

Oregon allows for assisted suicide in certain narrow situations (terminal illness) if this decision has been counseled for 6 months and is approved by two doctors.

I think the Oregon approach would seem radical to many but it doesn't condone assisted suicide for any reason, ie you had a bad day today.

Answer 6

so r u saying u think a 13 year old child has the right to take their own life and is right by doing it....what the hell kind of an opinion is that....when u r old and sick and r on all kind of drugs and thats the only thing keeping u alive with live support and have lived your life and r suffering or in severe pain...that is your decision...i still dont necessarily agree with that... but that its a decision thats for the best...it is a very selfish act...My father killed himself when he was 24 and left my mother at 21 to raise to baby girls....my sister who just turned 2 and myself, i wasnt even 1....and YOUR telling me u think that, that is ok...obviously U have never lost anyone to suicide....talk to a few families who have lost someone to suicide and maybe u will change your opinion

Answer 7

Im afraid that wether you beleive ethicly that suicide chould not be a crime unfortunatly legaly it falls under the catagory of murder if you want to know why its to stop people claiming insurance for there families by murdering themselves.

Hope this helps.

Answer 8

Suicide is not a crime, but you could hurt the ones around you a lot when you commit it.

Answer 9

any harm intentional/ unintentional to a life is a crime. Suicide though a harm to oneself, also is defined in the same way. Hence, a crime

Answer 10

I believe that we may not take a life. Life is given to us in order for us to learn a lesson, or lessons such as endurance, forgiveness, humility and love.

If one were to end her/ his life, the lesson/s may not be completely mastered and understood. With the unlearned lesson/s, we will miss the opportunity to become more compassionate beings.