What is the modern Christian concept of suicide?

Question

Is it still considered a mortal sin? If not, how do Christians reconcile this with the teachings of the Bible?

It is my understanding that suicide is caused by severe mental anguish and not a conscious refuting of Jesus Christ and God.

My thought is that suicide has been made a mortal sin to prevent the religious from killing themselves in order to reach Paradise early because of their belief on how great it would be.

I'm sorry. I really don't agree with the view of suicide being the act of 'throwing the gift of life back in God's faith'. A God of love and understanding must know that the anguish leading to suicide is not a declaration of hate toward God. Any hate these people would have would be because of the huge pain and suffering they have and the feeling of being foresaken. This feeling is not a choice and the act of suicide can become the only choice available to them at the time.

Interesting answer Sly Fox. But, maybe it's child abuse. Sending a child to die for our sins.

Answer 1

Here where I really risk it!

The Biblical concept of suicide!
There are no passages in the scriptures that clearly state suicide as moral sin, of course it is open to interpretation, but if you follow that course there are many references which could well indicate the right of one to take his own life!
So again we see church interpretation as inaccurate and biased, though I personally think the reasons where much darker than merely preventing the religious from killing themselves in order to reach Paradise early. I feel that it may have been away of preventing sheep escaping the fold.

Now, for this bit.
If one looks into the story of Jesus' death on the cross, if we consider that Judas' role was in fact at the request of Jesus then it could be taken that this was in fact a suicide.

Just a thought

Now I'll wait to see how many thumbs down I get from the pure of heart!

ADDED thank you 'knightofchristandmary' the 2282 is just the thing I was looking to go with my last bit.

Answer 2

Most Christian Churches still teach that suicide is a serious or mortal sin.

However, the state of the person's emotional and mental condition at the time would contribute to mitigating circumstances.

To the person: Towelieban Barbie

"Not at all, suicide is selfishness that goes to mortal consequences."

Your severe lack of compassion and ignorance of the pain and turmoil of those contemplating suicide shows you for who you are.

It is NOT selfishness that motivates suicide but PAIN. Pain that can not be relieved. And lack of hope.

I know!

Answer 3

Depression is a physiological condition and not a reflection on the soul.

It is my understanding that suicide means "hell" and no exceptions for the Christians.

Some spiritualists believe that suicide done for the purpose of hurting someone else (as in unrequited love) could be a dark soul and would be an obstacle in the soul crossing over. At the very worst, the only hell is right here. The dark soul will go right back in-utero for another life without a plan or guides.

Answer 4

To answer this question one must consider the reason for the suicide. Having had a recent suicide in my family it is of course a subject I have breached with the clergy of my own Church. If a person is mentally ill, he or she is not responsible for their actions and so are not held accountable for the suicide. For other reasons (IE. suicide bombers, girl friend left me, in a hurry to get to Heaven, etc.) it is considered to be the same as murdering another person. In order for a sin to be committed first one must know it is a sin, second a person must willingly engage in the action, and third must have the mental capability of making the decision to sin.

Answer 5

Suicide is a self-defeating energy, and therefore useless to the larger system that is trying to survive. Heaven is that larger system. All suicide is likely rejected hence the teachings that it is a mortal sin. As terribly sad as suicide is to the family and friends, apparantly it is a 'final act', but if you believe this stuff then you should consider Hell in the same fashion and that it is not a bad place, rather it is simply the ceasation of that soul.

Answer 6

I can only control what I own. That would include destruction of it. The question is whether anyone "owns" his or her life. And how could that happen? You'd need two elements--the owner, and the item owned. Thus, no one really owns his own life; so no one has a right to destroy it. For those who believe that their lives are owned by God, killing oneself would be usurping God's right in that life. And society steps in as well, and claims that the "State" has an interest in preserving the lives of its citizens, and so often deems suicide or an attempt as a "crime" (hardly ever enforced, by the way :-)

Answer 7

Suicide is a like throwing God's gift of life back in his face, and often has more to do with seeking help than actually wanting to die.

Not being of the "Roman Catholic" tradition, I'm not sure about the "mortal sin" label.

Answer 8

It is still considered a sin, as far as I know, and I believe that the reason you came up with is the hidden motive behind why they have made it so. They want to make sure that you are scared out of killing yourself, because you to go the burning place if you do. It's sick, but if it works...the last thing we need around this country is more suicide...(well...second to last...more suicide would be preferrable to more murder, in some respects...)

Answer 9

All sins are Mortal ( of Man).

The devils put Pressure on Man (male,female) to commit self-murder---suicide.

Self-Murder Is Not the Unpardonable Sin (the Sin that Knocks a Child of GOD out of Heaven).

Children of GOD who kill themselves GO to Heaven.
It is NOT the Unpardonable Sin.

Now, the Ultimate for a Child of GOD is to LEAVE their BODY on PURPOSE (after they have FullFilled their Mission from GOD--on the Earth) , and go Home (Heaven).

See, you don't have to Poke Holes in your Body (gun) or Drink Poision or do things to make your Body die so that You Have to Come outta' it---see? to go to Heaven.

There is a Way to Come Out of Your Body on Purpose AFTER you have Fullfilled Your Purpose on The Earth---for Jesus.

Suicide is not the Unpardonable Sin.

The Body of Christ is (should be) trying to get EveryBody (those who will Accept Jesus as their Saviour) SAVED.

Answer 10

According to the bible itself. The ONLY unforgivable sin is blasphemy against the holy spirit. Anything else can be forgiven by their "savior".