Jewish law looks upon suicide............ -- Catholic Friends Forum

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Date Posted: 13:37:33 08/30/07 Thu
Author: Barb
Author Host/IP: clgrtnt7-port-220.dial.telus.net / 161.184.52.220
Subject: Jewish law looks upon suicide............
In reply to: Neysa 's message, "Do you believe that committing suicide is a sin ?" on 10:27:40 08/30/07 Thu

as a denial of human life that is a devine gift from God. The belief is that an individual should live the life span alloted. If a Jew commits suicide he/she is not permitted to be buried with other Jews in the cemetary, but away from others in the cemetary, and is not entitled to burial and mourning rites.
I have a cousin who was a head nurse. She found life a struggle. Her job was too much for her to handle emotionally and her marriage was a bad one. She committed suicide and my aunt and uncle never spoke of her again as long as she lived, though they adored her. Her brother, though a very religious man...speaks of her with great affection.
Nowadays in the Jewish faith, suicide is no longer considered a sin if one is emotionally in great pain and takes his or her own life. I agree with that completely.

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[> [> Re: Jewish law looks upon suicide............ -- Joan, 04:42:02 08/31/07 Fri [1] (ip68-0-253-131.ri.ri.cox.net/68.0.253.131)

"Nowadays in the Jewish faith, suicide is no longer considered a sin if one is emotionally in great pain and takes his or her own life. I agree with that completely."

I believe it's the same in the Catholic faith. If the person is mentally ill, suicide isn't considered a sin. Like I said above, for something to be a sin, the person has to know that what she's doing is wrong. Someone who is truly out of touch w/ reality wouldn't know right from wrong.

Joan

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[> [> The Catholic Church and suicide -- Joan, 04:45:22 08/31/07 Fri [1] (ip68-0-253-131.ri.ri.cox.net/68.0.253.131)

From the catecism -

Suicide

2280 Everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him. It is God who remains the sovereign Master of life. We are obliged to accept life gratefully and preserve it for his honor and the salvation of our souls. We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of.

2281 Suicide contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and perpetuate his life. It is gravely contrary to the just love of self. It likewise offends love of neighbor because it unjustly breaks the ties of solidarity with family, nation, and other human societies to which we continue to have obligations. Suicide is contrary to love for the living God.

2282 If suicide is committed with the intention of setting an example, especially to the young, it also takes on the gravity of scandal. Voluntary co-operation in suicide is contrary to the moral law.

Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide.

2283 We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives.1

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[> [> [> Protestant Churchs and suicide -- Catie, 06:17:28 08/31/07 Fri [1] (h69.42.91.75.ip.alltel.net/75.91.42.69)

I know it was the same for many protestant churches as well. It seems the more that has come to light about mental illness, depression, etc, the churches are more lenient and understanding. All of that goes to show, imho, that man is so capable of making errors. God doesn't change. I wonder how he felt about churches, christians, et al, condemning folks who didn't deserve the condemnation. Also, it makes me wonder how much more we are wrong in some of our beliefs today. What might be considered "sin" today will not be considered so tomorrow. The church must also be careful of accepting things for the sake of appeasing the public. It all makes me grateful for an all knowing God who understands beyond what we can even imagine!

I won't go into great detail, only to say, Jennifer was terribly paranoid when she died. She was convinced someone was stalking her, out to "get her". It all seemed so sudden to us, because up until the week before she died we'd seen no indication of paranoia. Anyway, in her letters, it was obvious to us there was a lot of fear and unrealistic situations she was dealing with. Yet even to this day, there are those who claim to be Christian who have openly, to my mother in law, speak of how awful that she gave a life dedicated to Christian work, only to throw it all away in the end, to be eternally condemned. That attitude is not only absurdly in contrast to God's mercy and love, but downright mean.

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[> [> [> [> I absolutely agree with you, Catie................ -- Barb, 07:52:37 08/31/07 Fri [1] (clgrtnt2-port-77.dial.telus.net/161.184.42.77)

that it is humankind that is capable of making errors. There is God's will an human will. We will forever keep growing and learning but we will continue to make errors along the way. Hopefully we will learn from them too. I think that is what life is suppose to be about. It's a learning process from beginning to end.

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