A question for atheists - (suicide)?

Question

What is the purpose of living if I'm going to be gone in at least seventy years, guaranteed? Does the purpose lie in experience - i.e. living for the sake of living? If I chose to die tomorrow by my own hand, what would it (ultimately) matter? It could be argued that society would be hurt by my death in some way, but where will society be years and years from now; will it even exist?

I'm looking for a secular argument for or against suicide. Thanks.

Answer 1

How many times???

Earth = 4.5 billion years old.

Humans = 300,000 years old.

Let me make this crystal clear...

HUMANS ARE NOT THAT IMPORTANT. In fact, they're pretty insignificant.

Your life has no intrinsic meaning whatsoever in the grand scheme of things, only that which your conscious mind chooses to attach to it.

Your life is to do with it as you please, including ending it.

If there is any point to this life, it is to enjoy it as much as possible, for you will be a long time dead.

Answer 2

I have thought the exact same thing and still do and, when it comes right down to it, I belive that all this proves is that death is nothing to be afraid of. Death, while at times painful, is natural and should be embraced and while many discuss suicide as a shelfish bailing out I belive that it is merely the last resort to someone who finds a calm darkness preferable to the world.

In reality purpose is irrelevant. In the grand scheme of things what does it matter, humanity is a speck upon the earth and that is just fine because what we leave behind, the people we touch, the books we write, the speeches whe give, the kids we have, dont matter if we arent happy.

Suicide cannot be looked at as right or wrong it must be looked at intellectually and, yes, at times, in selfish terms. Do you enjoy the world, the games, the lights, the fun, the love, the friendships etc. Is it worth a few extra years for you?

The question of purpose is irrelevant, happiness is what comes first. Life, our direction, our goals, are what matter.

Answer 3

I think that the purpose of living is simply to reproduce and keep the species un-extinct. I beleive that if you commit suicide then your life has been wasted and so many other people have lost their lives enexpectidly and never had the chance to do the things that they always wanted to do. So in a way it's kind of selfish, it's also selfish to commit suicide because of all of the people that love and care for you. The people closest to you would always feel, deep down, that it was partly there fault (what if...) I suppose that it wouldn't really matter as far as the including whole human race in the argument. But then again, if everybody commited suicide then I suppose it would. By the way I hope that your not thinking of commiting suicide :(.

Answer 4

Atheism means to not believe in anything (no other power/god). To me that means that technically you still have a belief system - which is a belief in nothing.

I think most people are able to see things in everyday life to show them that there are other forces at work. Coincidences are one example. Another (for me) is to notice how things always seem to work out in the end.

To commit suicide means that you take things into your own hands. I don't think that's ever a good choice. Some people may be severely depressed and then the only pleasant option looks like a way out. When you can't manage these thoughts, it's time to see a professional. Everyone should be allowed to live a life that's enjoyable. But you have to remember, that's it's only you who can make this happen.

So if you don't believe in anything, to leave this life may not seem like an issue. But remember, you only have one chance at life, and who would want to ruin that?

The argument really is one with yourself.

Answer 5

Suicide is a fundamental philosophical problem and one not to be takin lightly. I am no an atheist nor do I subscribe to god and religion, and yet I sense something beyond my mortal life.

Indeed, human life is often sad, but imagine how a family feels about a young suicide? Suicide is a horrible event for a family and especially a mother.

I speak from experience. If you are thinking about suicide GET HELP PRONTO!!

In all honestly, the burden of having a suicide child is often so painful that family chooses to forget at least on the outside. The pain never goes away but it gets buried under life.

Answer 6

If your looking for ultimate answers then your going to pretty disappointed. However you should surely consider the effects of your decision on your family, as you will leave them suffering far more grief than is normal when someone dies. Secondly there is the fact that usually there is a lot worth living for, whether it is your children, a favorite food or song, a particular challenge, it might not be ultimate, but surely better than oblivion. I would have thought that an atheistic view point would have made suicide less appealing, as there is no afterlife to provide comfort after-wards.

Answer 7

Athiesm is not necessarily secular. It is possible to be atheist and spiritual at the same time, which precludes use of "secular" as a viable descriptor.

Personally I have mixed thoughts on the existence of god. I do not believe there is no god, nor am I convinced there is one. I do believe in life after death though, and I think that the purpose of life is to develop a solid personality for that afterlife. We are the sum of our experiences, and we carry those experiences across the veil to the other side. Committing suicide drastically reduces the amount of experiences you are able to have, thereby weakening you after death as well.

Answer 8

Well when you finally realize that after this life theres no "heaven" then thats when you really start to live. People waste their life doing "what God wills" rather than what they really want and therefore are following in bad faith. Letting their life slip by. But like I said, once you've come to the conclusion that theres no afterlife, you'll be ultimately FREE!

PS: A question for christians - (suicide)?

What is the purpose of living when you could kill yourself and be with god!?

Answer 9

Atheists consider consciousness to be a treasured gift, worth perpetuating. We have been born into a wide, marvellous world, full of hate and malice, but also full of love and joy. We feel that once we are dead, we face non-existence, which can not be described in terms of eternal restlessness or eternal peace or eternal anything. It is non-existence. Thus, in our tragically short time as conscious beings we need to make the most out of what we have, and fill our lives with as much happiness as we can before it's back to non-existence.

You are missing out on a lot of the joys of life by simply ending it.

Answer 10

Some people just have the sense that there is something meaningful beyond their temporal existence. These are the people of hope and inheritance. Others because of stubborn and selfish attitude can never come to realize that and find no meaning in their lives, except what they can deduce from their narrow intellect. BTW, some people that survived suicide have witnessed some sinister and dark things during a temporary departure, things testified to by spiritually based and hopeful souls of days past..

Answer 11

how can you say such a thing?
;)

would you like to kill an extremely talented, beautiful, well-mannered, successful, wonderful, charming, knowledgeable, respected, ever-forgiving, loving, sweet, kind, caring, responsible, a patriot, a pretty daughter, a lovely wife, a super-mom, a good human being and an adorable maiden like yourself??

the attributes that i mentioned above can be a purpose of your life, if you want.
i know you already have some but won't you like to achieve the others...
the all-rounder woman could be a future-YOU.
that is why suicide is a crime. because you have no right to steal a blessing to the earth, from the earth.
purpose of life is found, if searched. without searching for it...you cannot sit and think about suicide.(that would be a waste of time)
:)