Re: I believe it is a sin... -- Catholic Friends Forum

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Date Posted: 15:17:17 08/30/07 Thu
Author: Phil
Author Host/IP: 71-223-16-142.phnx.qwest.net / 71.223.16.142
Subject: Re: I believe it is a sin...
In reply to: Neysa 's message, "Do you believe that committing suicide is a sin ?" on 10:27:40 08/30/07 Thu

...and I find these 'justifications' for suicide to be a bit disturbing, frankly.

The Bible says we are not our own; but we are bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:19,20). We belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. For a child of God to take his life would be to rob God of the use of the rest of that life. Perhaps, but suicide?

There are over 25000 suicides in the US every yr, the 10th largest cause of death in our country. Suicide strikes all socio-economic groups, races and creeds. I have lost a friend, a couple comrades-at-arms and nearly a classmate in HS. The most dominant emotion that I felt was anger. I was relieved to find out later that some of my friends felt the same way I did.

Why? Their decisions were rash and certainly irrevocable. When I went to the Mem'l on base for my co-worker and friend of many yrs, who'd committed suicide, I sat in the back of the chapel with my friends who felt the same way I did. We witnessed an outpouring of guilt-driven grief that I'd never witnessed before in my life, and I'd been around. Why did he put us, and worse yet, his family, thru this? It was terribly selfish in my view.

Was he suffering from some disease? No, not that I know of. In fact, he was fit and healthy and only 30 yrs old. He had no financial problems, family difficulties or some bad guys chasing him.

He also passed along hints to folks he didnt like, knowing that he'd already decided to end his life. I saw 1 of them, a mostly unemotional fellow, on his knees, crying from guilt. Another lady, who worked for me, blamed herself and wept bitterly. Maybe if she'd been more friendly to him she said. Fooey! She was the kindest, most thoughtful and able person I had the pleasure to work with. Needless to say, I had to console these folks, both kind, decent people.

For his own selfish reasons, he left behind family and friends who cared for him. How could he do this to himself and us? I still wonder.

The HS classmate of mine nearly committed suicide over breaking up w/ her boy friend. Barb, would you consider her to be in 'emotional pain'? I sure hope not.

The problem is that its so very difficult to draw the line. Dr Kervorkian helped some poor man w/ Lou Gehrig's disease commit suicide. I saw a before/after pic. The man had wasted away to nothing. I felt great pity and sympathy for him. On the other hand, Dr K, 'the Dr of Death', also helped put a lady to death who had a bad case of arthiritis. I have that insidious disease, but to kill oneself over arthiritis? C'mon! Where do we draw the line then? I'm not sure, so I dont.

Japan and Sweden have very high incidents of suicide, even higher pct-wise than us. (I'm aware of the reasons why, but will pro'bly be deleted if I state them.) However, do we want to become like them? No, of cse not! But we will if we find it acceptable for someone to commit suicide for some1 with with 'emotional pain'. I'm sorry folks, that wont do! Barb, I hope you didnt mean it the way I took it.

However, I do NOT believe that folks who commit suicide should be denied a funeral and a decent burial. Much, if not most, of a funeral is for the living. Family, friends and all who knew him need to bury the deceased with honor and dignity...and to mourn him/her. I firmly believe this.

In short, though, I think that we should always side with life. Over the yrs, I've seen how things can unravel after we look the other way when such things occur. Look how abortion has been allowed to run rampant in our country after Roe v Wade (1973). I hope and pray suicide will not go the same way.

Take care, God Bless,

Phil from AZ

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[> [> Phil........My cousin............ -- Barb, 17:09:31 08/30/07 Thu [1] (clgrtnt2-port-237.dial.telus.net/161.184.42.237)

was in emotional pain to the point where she didn't know her own mind any longer. She lost touch with reality and didn't know the difference between right and wrong by the time she ended her life. That is far different than breaking up over a soured love affair. One must consider individual cases and situations. You simply cannot put all the apples into one barrel. Some will be bruised and some battered...and some completely riddled by worms!

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[> [> [> My statement should have read..."riddled WITH worms." -- Barb, 07:54:06 08/31/07 Fri [1] (clgrtnt2-port-77.dial.telus.net/161.184.42.77)

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