Why exactly is it that suicide is considered "wrong"?

Question

There are other cultures where suicide was considered honerable. Another perspective, which worked in their society.

The argument of considering the people that are left behind is not valid either. If it was so - there would be noone to go to war. The choice is a form of suicide by itself, but accepted, as it seems to have a higher purpose - but never the less a suicidal decision.

Please refrain from arguments such as "because God/the bible, etc say so"
I'm looking for a technical reason as to why suicide is considered wrong to do.

Answer 1

In our culture it is considered self- murder, the taking of a human life

Answer 2

I would think that outside of religion there is nothing wrong with a carefully thought out suicide. I am thinking of a case when a person has terminal cancer and in unbearable pain. Why prolong the agony and expense?
It is wrong when it is contemplated from the viewpoint of a disturbed person who might in time be over the depression and have everything to live for - who in retrospect, if it were possible for them to reconsider, would be horrified at having done it.
From a religious viewpoint God gives life and only He/She has a right to take it away.

Answer 3

Morals are NOT universal. What is expected in one culture does not carry to ALL cultures.
In the psychological circles most suicide is considered "Wrong" because of the REASONS behind that desire. Most people don't actually want to die, they just want the chaos and pain to stop and they truly don't see any other way. It's treatable and we, as fellow human beings, want to help that person in pain. Most people after receiving GOOD treatment, come out of the depression and can see things in a more positive light, losing the desire to kill themselves.

Answer 4

Interesting question. Considering the jews at Mosada all committed suicide rather than face the wrath of the Roman army and they are honered and revered as heros for doing so.

I consider it wrong under any normal circumstances only because I see life as being prescious and not something to squander.

Answer 5

I've heard people call them girly but never gay. Anyway to answer the question: Its mostly because cocktails are often so diluted with juices or whatever that you can barely taste the alcohol in them therefore they are very easy to drink. They still get you drunk of course, but its the easy way out. Not to be sexist but women are often considered weaker than men...just saying. Men drink strong drinks like whiskey on the rocks to show they're "TOUGH" and can handle a drink that puts hair on their chest. Men shouldn't feel intimidated drinking a cocktail though, at least they're drinking alcohol.

Answer 6

I don't know any technical reasons; and I'm not going to try to preach to you about religion, because there is no use in that. I will simply give you my opinion on suicide:

I feel that suicide is a cowardly thing to do. It is a cop-out. It basically means that you are too weak and afraid to continue on with your life, even though so many other people (probably with worse problems than you) stick around for the sake of their families.

I cannot respect someone who does not respect themself. It is pathetic that when people reach a hard time in their life they just give up and say goodbye to everything. Their parents created them and brought them into this world, and for what? They basically just slapped their parents and their grandparents in the face and told them their efforts in raising, feeding, clothing, and housing them were for nothing because "their life wasn't good enough". It is a selfish thing to do, and I have no sympathy for anyone who attempts suicide.

Look at Owen Wilson! The man is filthy rich, dated Kate Hudson, lives in a big house, gets to make big movies, and it's still not good enough for him? What has this world come to, just quitting every time the going gets rough?

Sad, pathetic people. I'm only 13 and I can see right through their act.

Answer 7

Life is sacred, and precious, it is not to be taken.
The Christian would also say that the living of our life is based on living it with God... that he will care for us and that we have a purpose beyond what we always know or can see, and that purpose is not complete until God determines that it is, not us... up to the last moment. Our faith can inspire others, and have many other purposes.
The giving and taking of life is not up to us, but to God, the Creator. Taking your own life can never be a higher purpose.
It can also be seen as an act against your faith in God.

Answer 8

Hinduism says suicide does not solve problems. It only magnifies future problems in the Antarloka -- the subtle, nonphysical astral world we live in before we incarnate -- and in the next life. Suicide only accelerates the intensity of karma, bringing a series of immediate lesser births and requiring several lives for the soul to return to the evolutionary point that existed at the moment of suicide, at which time the still existing karmic entanglement that brought on the death must again be faced and resolved. Thus turns the slow wheel of samsara( wheel of birth and death). To gain a fine birth, one must live according to the natural laws of dharma and live out the karma in this life positively and fully.
For more info,please visit http://www.himalayanacademy.com/resources/books/wih/

Answer 9

Well it is a bit difficult to answer a question posed in this category without some reference to an individual's religion...so I am just going to answer to the best of my ability. I am a Christian so I believe in God and follow what the Bible says. First and foremost, one of the Ten Commandments is "Thou Shalt Not Kill." This does include yourself. It also says that God will forgive you of any and all of your sins, great or small...as long as you confess them to Him and ask for His forgiveness. Now, following that logic...if you kill someone else then you can ask for forgiveness and receive it...but if you commit suicide then how can you repent for that?? That is why suicide is known as the "unforgivable sin" because once it's done...it's done.

Answer 10

The cultures that you speak of are mainly samurai's who would take their own life rather then fail in battle. You are not in a battle, to take your own life is selfish and therefore should be wrong to you morally. I have attempted suicide many times before and have seen that all it cause's is pain to the one's that do actually care about you. To make another suffer as much as you have to do this is wrong in my book for I would at least not wish my sufferings on to another. Because it will not affect the people who are making you suffer but will affect the people who actually want to see you happy and well.

Answer 11

I guess because it is considered a waste of potential good. I understand there is also a potential for bad if the suicide does not occur, but there is always a potential bad either way. That would be my opinion, it is an optimistic view of course, and a very general view too.