What is the Jehovah's Witnesses view on suicide?

Question

What I have found thus far says that they don't completely condemn it, but they don't encourage it either. Please give me resources.

I friend of my husband's committed suicide this past weekend. The Christian view is much different from the JW view in many ways. I'd like to get this cleared up when asked questions.

Would a "momentary lapse of reason" be considered a mental condition?

What happened was this...the gentleman was speeding downhill towards a concrete wall. Witnesses say they saw no breaking, and no attempt to stop. (An autopsy is being conducted, but results are not yet released). Even if he tried to stop, the incline of the hill would not allow for a complete and safe stop.

I'm really just curious...(and NOT considering this myself!!!)...but I'm one who likes to know the answers...or at least as much as I can.

Answer 1

**Only God can judge the insane. Only he can read the heart**

Answer 2

As one of Jehovahs Witnesses, I found each answer very interesting, and most all have pointed to scriptures. Having a dear friend whos son committed suicide, it is devastating for the family members, I cannot imagine the pain. I feel it's important to keep these family members in mind and give them hope. Do not concentrate on the condemning part how god feels about murder, rather about only Jehovah knowing the true condition of their mind and heart, is merciful. also important the Bible's hope that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

Answer 3

Nowhere does the Bible say that suicide is an unforgivable sin. this is homicide. yet many that've died have devoted homicide. seem at David as an occasion. purely Jehovah can study hearts. The scriptures additionally say that there'll be a resurrection of the righteous and unrighteous. It additionally says that Jehovah is close to to those that are suffering. purely Jehovah will determine a pair of persons worthiness for eternal existence. Many suicides are brought about my severe chemical imbalance in the physique. this is no longer the persons fault. In any journey, that individual won't go through torment for eternity. they are lifeless. this is going to be because it grow to be earlier they have been born, Nothingness

Answer 4

The important thing is to try to get Jehovah's view. Human life is precious and sacred to Jehovah. (Genesis 9:5; Psalm 36:9) The intentional killing of oneself by suicide would be self-murder and likely displeasing in Jehovah’s eyes. (Exodus 20:13; 1 John 3:15)

However, another important factor to consider is the mental and emotional disorders that are involved in many suicides. Only God can fully understand the role that mental sickness, extreme stress, even genetic defects, have in a “suicidal crisis,” which often happens in a moment of despair. Ecclesiastes 7:7 says, "For mere oppression may make a wise one act crazy, and a gift can destroy the heart".
Will Jehovah forgive the self-murder committed by people in such a mental state? God alone searches ‘all hearts and every inclination of the thoughts.’ (1 Chronicles 28:9) We are not in a position to judge, but we can take comfort in scriptures such as Psalm 103:10-14 “Jehovah has shown mercy to those fearing him. For he himself well knows the formation of us, remembering that we are dust.”
And we can be confident that Jehovah as‘the Judge of all the earth is going to do what is loving, just, and right!’(Genesis 18:25.)

I think the most important thing is to make sure to be supportive of the loved one who has just suffered the loss.
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2001/10/22/diagram_03.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/we/article_00.htm

Answer 5

Well, if you mean
"Do Jehovah's Witnesses believe that those who commit suicide will go to hell?", then the answer is no.

However, we must keep in mind that many different factors may contribute to suicide, such as mental/emotional issues. Only Jehovah knows the heart conditions and motives of someone who decides to do away with himself, so you'll probably never come across a concrete statement like "All JWs believe . . ."

Answer 6

Jehovah's Witnesses view is in harmony with Bible teachings. Of course as has already been pointed out, murder is a sin. But the question is is it unforgivable? The Bible says "For he who has died has been acquitted from [his] sin." _ Romans 6:19 This goes for all of us, by whatever means our life is ended. One need not worry that their loved one, who obviously was suffering very much to commit suicide, is still suffering in some fiery place of torment. The Bible says there will be a resurrection of both righteous and unrighteous. Those who have committed unforgivable sins will not be a part of that. However, Jehovah God is the judge of whether or not this has occurred in each and every case of suicide. Jehovah knows all of the circumstances, thoughts and feelings that led to this act. We trust him to act justly in each case..

Answer 7

Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians. Please do not insult Witnesses by suggesting that they are not Christians.


True Christians (such as Jehovah's Witnesses) believe the bible to teach that intentional suicide is a serious sin. True Christians do not participate in so-called 'assisted suicides'.

However, the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses has no interest in conjecturing wildly about a person's "intentions", particularly when there is no earthly reason to do so. It seems obvious and biblical to note that a moment of insanity does not erase a lifetime of godliness.

(Ecclesiastes 7:7) For mere oppression may make a wise one act crazy


True Christians (such as Jehovah's Witnesses) well-recognize that there is no reason to assume anything regarding another's potential for salvation; Jehovah and Jesus are the perfect, loving judges of humankind. They truly YEARN to resurrect those in the grave.

(Psalm 103:11-14) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, His loving-kindness is superior toward those fearing him. 12 As far off as the sunrise is from the sunset, So far off from us he has put our transgressions. 13 As a father shows mercy to his sons, Jehovah has shown mercy to those fearing him. 14 For he himself well knows the formation of us, Remembering that we are dust.

(Acts 24:15) There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

(Job 14:14,15) If an able-bodied man dies can he live again? All the days of my compulsory service I shall wait [in the grave], Until my relief comes. You [God] will call, and I myself shall answer you. For the work of your hands you will have a yearning.


Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20011022/diagram_03.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20040108/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/we/index.htm?article=article_04.htm

http://watchtower.org/e/20000222/article_03.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19980908/article_02.htm

Answer 8

Stunned love ones of a suicide victim may take comfort in knowing that “Jehovah has shown mercy to those fearing him. For he himself well knows the formation of us, remembering that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:10-14)

Only God can fully understand the role of mental sickness, extreme stress, even genetic defects, in a “suicidal crisis,” which, the National Observer noted, “is not a lifetime characteristic [but] often a matter only of minutes or of hours.”—See Ecclesiastes 7:7.

Granted, one who takes his own life deprives himself of the opportunity to repent of his self-murder. But who can say whether one driven to suicide might have had a change of heart had his fatal attempt failed? Some notorious murderers have, in fact, changed and earned God’s forgiveness during their lifetime.—2 Kings 21:16; 2 Chronicles 33:12, 13.

Thus, Jehovah, having paid “a ransom in exchange for many,” is within his right to extend mercy, even to some self-murderers, by resurrecting them and giving them the precious opportunity to “repent and turn to God by doing works that befit repentance.”—Matthew 20:28; Acts 26:20.

Answer 9

As Christians, we are interested in how Jehovah views suicide. To Jehovah human life is precious and sacred. (Genesis 9:5; Psalm 36:9) The intentional killing of oneself is self-murder, and it is therefore displeasing in God’s eyes. (Exodus 20:13; 1 John 3:15)

One who intentionally takes his own life does so in utter disregard for the sacredness of life; he becomes bloodguilty. When one commits suicide while in possession of one’s mental faculties, this shows one to be void of morality, lacking faith, having no fear of God. It is a cowardly act, where one refuses to face up to the problems and responsibilities of life. If the person claimed to be a true Christian, the act would violently break his relationship with Jehovah. Suicide may be the giving in to pressures from demons who encourage self-destruction. (Matt. 17:14-18) This extremely self-centered act of murder manifests no love for one’s surviving family members, no love for one’s congregation and friends, and no love even for the surrounding community, as it brings shame and distress of mind upon all associates.—Mark 12:31.

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Answer 10

As one of Jehovah's Witnesses I know it's not how WE view the matter. It's what the bible says about suicide that's important. The bible says that "You must not murder" at Exodus 20:13. An intentional act such as suicide is self murder is it not? Human life is precious and sacred to God. Therefore suicide is condemned by the bible.

Answer 11

We don't have a "view on suicide".

We don't like people to do it.

But when they do it, people aren't punished.

We don't judge them as not going to heaven or not getting a future life. We believe that they are in hell, but not suffering since they are dead.

It is too complicated for your simplicity.