Is it really fair for someone who commits suicide to be damned to hell?

Question

I've often heard from Christian acquaintances that people who commit suicide automatically go to hell, because they commit a murder for which they can't ask for forgiveness. I've also heard that it's because they throw away a God-given gift. All that being said, though, would a just, compassionate God condemn someone to hellfire and damnation for having a mental illness that causes him/her such desperation that he/she decides to end it all?Surely a just, compassionate God would take into account a person's motives for committing suicide.

Answer 1

My Grandmother killed herself because she was severely depressed. Apparently though, Judaism has come out and said that those who kill themselves do to depression and the such are not condemned to limbo (which is what the belief used to be I believe)

Needless to say, I am very against the idea that you will burn in hell forever when the reason you killed yourself was outside of your control.

Answer 2

There's a couple of schools of thought of on this.

Some believe that it is the one unforgivable sin. Once you kill yourself you obviously can't ask for forgiveness from the sin.

Others beleive that there is compassion for those who commit suicide because they were not fully cognitive. It doesn't mean that they are insane. Instead this belief recognizes that those who are covered in depression lose some of the rationality, their ability to reason. Instead of being able to see things clearly, or understand that problems can be solved, they believe that the only way is death. In fact many who contemplate suicide beleive that it would be easier on their loved ones if they left this life instead of remaining in it.

Those that see it as an unforgivable sin see it as a selfish act. That the person commiting suicide is only doing it to free themselves, and isn't thinking about the pain of anyone else. This is hardly the case. Most people in this position think that they are hurting their loved ones more then being alive then by being dead.

And often, the one stopping factor for those committing suicide is the thought of what it will do to their loved ones.

After dealing with many people that have been caught in the web of depression and suicidal thoughts and also after studying the bible I have to say that I side with the idea that G-d shows compassion to everyone. And that G-d will not damn someone for committing suicide or consider them selfish and trying to play G-d in their own lives.

These people are so full of hurt and despair that I cannot fathom a G-d who would not have compassion on them.

Answer 3

People who would be in a frame of mind that would do such a thing deserve love, still and always, not hate. And such awful words, of someone going to hell because of it, only hurts the people who are grieving even more. And it's horrible that some people don't care about their hurt and just want to be blunt with what they think is "the truth."

I for one am glad I'm an atheist... at least I don't believe that such an awful thing would come from one I have lost like that... I do however feel for believers who then feel an extra pain associated with thinking their loved one is in hell...

Answer 4

If you see it as a disease or illness, ...
Luke 9:1 One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples[a] and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases.

(Notice it says ALL diseases.)

Matthew 9:35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.

Luke 7:21 At that very time, Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind.

Jesus is the answer to all of it and it's our reponsibility to share that and help others when we get the chance to. He doesn't want us to stay the same when we're like that. He's our second chance on life. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God's compassion never ends. Also read Lamentations 3:21-26.

Answer 5

According to Silvia Brown, the spirit's/soul's of suicide victims are either damned or not. She says (and she is a world renowned psychic by the way) that if a person is suffering from a general mental illness their spirit will not be damned, but if someone does it because of not wanting to cope with life then there's a good chance that their spirit will be damned. for more information consult a counselor. also i might add that there is some debate about depression and whether or not it classifies as a mental illness. i believe in a just god, but i wouldn't take any chances either. its best to find someone you can confide in to help cheer you up. and if you can't confide in any of your friends, find new friends, or even consider talking to a member of the religious comunity. for best confidentiality, try going to a catholic priest if you are not catholic, or going to a baptist, methodist, lutheran, anglican, pastor if you are catholic... you get the idea.

Answer 6

I believe that's been a improper interpretation of the bible.
Jesus said the only unforgivable sin was to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit.
I believe it can be proved that it is incorrect because there are many people who attempted suicide, but failed and some soon after wards turn their lives to Christ.
If, to commit suicide is the ultimate sin, then you wouldn't be forgiven just because you sucked at it.

Answer 7

Personally, I don't know. I think suicide IS forgivable, especially in cases where it's the result of a chemical imbalance.

I'm not God, what right do *I* have to judge who goes where when they die?

The God I know is merciful and just, and I don't think suicides always go to hell. We just don't know if, in the last few seconds they were alive, they realized they made a mistake and repented. We just don't know. So I prefer not to judge.

Answer 8

In any case,
the Bible says no such thing.

What the Bible really says is

#1 People are saved by their belief in Christ

#2 Unbelievers are damned.

Suicide is a form of homicide and therefore a serious sin. I am not making light of homicide.

On the other hand, murderers can be saved-
Like Moses and the Apostle Paul.

Answer 9

A just, compassionate God would never create hell in the first place.

Answer 10

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