Christians: What constitutes suicide?

Question

Don't get into the mental issues in this thread, because a large percentage of those who commit suicide are clinically depressed. I"m just a little curious about people's stance on what constitutes suicide. If one dies from smoking, after developing lung cancer, how is this different from one who overdoses on drugs. Both people are doing something to help them cope, and both activities, usually after prolonged use, killed them.

Usually, drug overdose is not a direct suicide method, but an accidental occurrence. How can this be separated from people giving themselves a disease through smoking? It amazes me that so many people who condemn suicide victims are smokers, and some will develop a life threatening disease. Furthering on this, many of those who overdose on drugs are indeed suffering from clinical depression, while the majority of those who smoke are just dealing with every day problems.

Answer 1

Many of those who overdose on nicotine or drugs may or may not be clinicaly depressed. I'm not one to diagnos, but you should really ask a doctor about that statement in your last sentence. I've heard that the majority of those who smoke are addicted to nicotine, and the majority of smokers want and try to quit several times and many are successful. So, one would tend to believe that they are concerned for their health. That sounds like they do want to live, and not die slowly.
Remember, you can't always assume everyone is the same. Each smoker, drug user, and suicider are are different.

Answer 2

I think there's a difference between planned, deliberate suicide and making bad choices that will, most likely, prove to be detrimental for our health. People who smoke, drink, and use drugs on a regular basis aren't usually doing so because it will ultimately end their life; they do these things in order to deal with the tough problems they face while alive. When someone is suffering from an addiction, it doesn't mean that their life is over -- it means that their loved ones can still reach out to them and show them that there is a better life available to us all. Someone who has put a gun to their head and pulled the trigger, however, pretty much doesn't have any options left.

Answer 3

I think suicide would be any person performing an act with the intent of ending ones life.

If you are going to use smoking as a method of suicide, I think you would also have to include anything that the general medical field considers to be life shortening . And that is a long list.

Answer 4

If you drive a car, then get killed because you fell asleep at the wheel and rolled the car, was that suicide?

Not everyone who smokes gets lung cancer and not everyone who overdoses on drugs ends up dead.

We all have to answer for our actions.

Answer 5

Hi Jett,
I agree with you completly. Smoking, illicit or licit drug use to the point of injurring oneself is quite possibly suicidal. I do not use any drugs that I don't need to live. I have also Never Smoked. I consider smoking a sin since it is doing damage to the TEMPLE of the LORD. GOD deserves our attempt at keeping this body in the best shape that we can so that we are able to do HIS WORK every day of our lives. Have a great day.
Eds

Answer 6

I tend to agree with you somewhat on this issue. However, people who smoke don't do so with the intent on getting lung cancer, nor do they do it to intentionally kill themselves. That doesn't constitute a suicide. If you seek to intentionally take your own life, that constitutes a deliberate suicide. Why was this question directed at Christians?

Answer 7

Good question. I'm curious, because they say that people who commit suicide do not get into Heaven, but what if they ask for forgiveness BEFORE or while they are dying? Does that count?

And what happens if you commit suicide under duress or force?

Answer 8

Suicide is not a sin according to a human, but it is against the will of the Creator who made every soul with a purpose and unconditional love.

Answer 9

Suicide is purposefully taking your own life. It's the intent to kill yourself. If you start smoking or doing drugs because you WANT to eventually kill yourself, then yes, that is suicide.

Answer 10

we experienced a recent suicide in the family

the main thing we learned is christianity largely does not cover it, save the idea of god killing self by letting man kill jesus

jesus let himself be set up, framed and could have got away but he killed himself

so my other friends who died, and were christian (I am not) told me before hand I would understand later (then I was)

and now I do

each day we make choices, and one of them is to live or die

my friends chose to die and I honor that decision