Since mental illness is a physical ailment like diabetes for instance, how can a God hold it against someone mentally ill if they kill themselves?
What about the mentally disabled who kill themselves? What if they know no better?
2007-12-12 03:32:20 · 59 answers · asked by lynda_at_work 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Alot of people who commit suicide are clinically depressed and cannot think rationally.
So yes the mentally ill do think of suicide.
2007-12-12 03:37:46 · update #1
No I am not thinking about it :D I am quite happy. Its just a theological question.
2007-12-12 03:49:06 · update #2
I work for a psychiatrist - in the mental health field, obviously - and the truth is this: When a person commits suicide they are NOT mentally well - which means, they are mentally ill, obviously. I do not believe God condemns the mentally ill/thos suffering mentally to hell. I think God is much more loving than most give Him credit for. I think most religions (mine included - Christian) try to box Him in too much. I think we underestimate God's love for us by light years.
2007-12-12 03:39:02 · answer #1 · answered by Marvelissa VT 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I was told by a catholic priest, that the church's views have changed on the issue of suicide.
The traditional view is that if a person commits suicide then they have committed murder, which means they would be going to purgatory/ or hell.
HOWEVER, the new belief is that if a person commits suicide - it means that the person believed their life was so worthless and the pain of being on the earth was so great that they couldn't bare it. IF that is how they truly felt then it means that they were suffering from a mental illness and thus excused from the traditional punishment.
You have to be able to know the difference between right an wrong before you can make a choice therefore God would welcome them to heaven.
But ultimately that is just theology anyway. No one can say for certain what will happen when you die, so you must find your own beliefs and what rings true in your own heart.
I hope that helps.
2007-12-12 03:41:05 · answer #2 · answered by Reiki Chick 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately a lot of people who are Christians misunderstand this question quite frequently.
There is no definitive biblical reference to whether or not a persons soul is condemned to hell due to suicide. Also Chrisitanity believes that the judgement of any persons sins sits with God and therefore your souls final rest is undetermined in this world. No one can say in certainty that they are going to heaven or hell. Not even those who like to quote John and state because they were baptised they are going to Heaven. Only the creator knows the honesty of ones contrition.
No idea about Judaism or other Religions sorry.
2007-12-12 03:40:54 · answer #3 · answered by Diane G 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No since most mental ill people are referred to as "Crazy" by the medical society and "Normal" society they will go to Jinnah(Heaven. The same goes with mentally retarded people because they have the mind of a child therefore neither the mentally ill person or the mentally retarded person know right from wrong. So they can't be found at fault.
2007-12-12 03:38:35 · answer #4 · answered by midnight 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is a problem with the interpretation of a belief system. An omnipotent being would posses the rationale to understand, humans are not omnipotent.
I have always liked the 'painless' song;
Lyrics to the song 'Suicide is Painless'
Through early morning fog I see
visions of the things to be
the pains that are withheld for me
I realize and I can see...
[REFRAIN]:
that suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
and I can take or leave it if I please.
I try to find a way to make
all our little joys relate
without that ever-present hate
but now I know that it's too late, and...
[REFRAIN]
The game of life is hard to play
I'm gonna lose it anyway
The losing card I'll someday lay
so this is all I have to say.
[REFRAIN]
The only way to win is cheat
And lay it down before I'm beat
and to another give my seat
for that's the only painless feat.
[REFRAIN]
The sword of time will pierce our skins
It doesn't hurt when it begins
But as it works its way on in
The pain grows stronger...watch it grin, but...
[REFRAIN]
A brave man once requested me
to answer questions that are key
is it to be or not to be
and I replied 'oh why ask me?'
[REFRAIN]
'Cause suicide is painless
it brings on many changes
and I can take or leave it if I please.
...and you can do the same thing if you please.
"MASH" TM and (or copyright) Fox and its related entities.
All rights reserved. Any reproduction, duplication or distribution
of these materials in any form is expressly prohibited
This web site, its operators and any content on this site
relating to "MASH" are not authorized by Fox
Music by Johnny Mandel Lyrics by Mike Altman
SOUND TRACKS - Joe Locke
Milestone - MCD 9271
2007-12-12 06:21:52 · answer #5 · answered by Yawn Gnome 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In Islam, a person without mental abilities will not be judged for his actions on the Day of Judgment.
However, there is a difference between a person who is "mentally disabled" and one who just has some psychological problems.
2007-12-12 03:44:40 · answer #6 · answered by Abu Ahmad 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The majority of people that commit suicide are mentally ill to some degree. And they are not going to hell. What type of loving Father would do that?
2007-12-12 03:38:34 · answer #7 · answered by plastik punk -Bottom Contributor 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
If Someone is mentally ill I am sure that God already knows that and will send them to Heaven.You can act like the best person in the whole world,But do bad stuff that people never know about,God is the Judge and he will to what is right.
2007-12-12 03:37:43 · answer #8 · answered by Dew 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
First, the statement that most religions believe this is incorrect. As far as I know, only certain sections of Christianity believe this. In some religions, we don't even believe a place called Hell exists.
Now, in Judaism suicide is a sin. However, we assume that the person was mentally ill, and therefore could not control it. So, it's not a sin, and they can be properly mourned, etc.
In any event, it's a tragedy and shouldn't be taken out on the surviving family & friends.
2007-12-12 03:36:47 · answer #9 · answered by Laceyd5 4 · 4⤊ 2⤋
To Suzanne and other misinformed people, about 15 years ago, the RCC church changed its teaching about suicide, what with all we've learned about mental illness.
a person who is so desparate, mentally ill or whatever that they kill themselves is not in their right mind. In order to commit sin, you have to have full mental capacity, know it's a sin, are committing it of your own free will. Someone who hears voices telling them to kill themselves doesn't meet that criteria.
So people who commit suicide are not condemned to hell by that one act.
2007-12-12 04:47:42 · answer #10 · answered by sandand_surf 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋