Sun Devil Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 I am curious. I have had told by religious people that suicide sends you to hell, yet they also say that god is supposed to be loving and forgiving. If someone kills themself, they were not happy with life or were mentally unstable. Why would a god send them to hell Link to post Share on other sites
amaysngrace Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 I've heard that too. Who knows? I think life can be hell. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
carhill Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 From a perspective of faith, IMO it would depend upon the life of the decedent and how they prosecuted their faith during that life. The concept of hell would matter primarily to those with a faith where post-mortem spiritual residence is part of their belief system. For the rest of humanity, it's really a non-issue. The particular faith I was educated in states the following: "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." Link to post Share on other sites
Anela Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 I hope not. Anyone who's been there, knows that the person already feels like they're in hell. Link to post Share on other sites
january2011 Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 What if someone voluntarily sacrifices their life to save others? It is not clear what happens to "us" after we die. That is, the "us" that is our spirit or essence, rather than our physical bodies. Having said that, I believe that religion is man-made. That doesn't mean it is bad but it is susceptible to the flaws of its creators. And thus questions like these don't have answers that will satisfy everyone. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
avon20 Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Suicides will go to heaven. I believe in universal salvation. I believe everyone goes to heaven. Link to post Share on other sites
M30USA Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 While the Bible doesn't nail this subject down, I personally believe that not all people go to hell if they committ suicide. People can be swayed by Satan into killing other people--and God will forgive them. So why can't God forgive them if they are swayed by Satan into killing themselves? Secondly, killing others is generally done out of anger and hatred; whereas killing oneself is usually done out of grief and despair. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
ffw Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 As far as I know, God is not interested in making us happy but rather making us holly (which is ofcourse our choice). According to the religious books, this life is test for our aftermath. So, basically it's wrong because it rejects God's gift of life & also it's cruel to people who love us. Link to post Share on other sites
ffw Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 What if someone voluntarily sacrifices their life to save others? It is not clear what happens to "us" after we die. That is, the "us" that is our spirit or essence, rather than our physical bodies. Having said that, I believe that religion is man-made. That doesn't mean it is bad but it is susceptible to the flaws of its creators. And thus questions like these don't have answers that will satisfy everyone. According to the religious books, sacrificing onself for the sake of others is equivalent to saving whole humankind. Link to post Share on other sites
M30USA Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 According to the religious books, sacrificing onself for the sake of others is equivalent to saving whole humankind. Only if the one sacrificing himself is without any sin. Link to post Share on other sites
pie2 Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 (edited) While the Bible doesn't nail this subject down, I personally believe that not all people go to hell if they committ suicide. People can be swayed by Satan into killing other people--and God will forgive them. So why can't God forgive them if they are swayed by Satan into killing themselves? Secondly, killing others is generally done out of anger and hatred; whereas killing oneself is usually done out of grief and despair. I was wondering if you could clarify a bit more. Are you referring to Christian believers who have fallen into despair? Do you believe that the soul has an opportunity to ask for forgiveness at the time of judgement (after death)? Edited November 1, 2012 by pie2 Link to post Share on other sites
TheFinalWord Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 No, if you have received salvation and asked Christ into your heart, there is nothing you can do to lose that. Crazy, yes: God's mercy is beyond human comprehension. "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." 3 Link to post Share on other sites
somedude81 Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 I really hope not. It would be very cruel to force somebody into eternal damnation because they saw killing themselves as the only escape from the pain of being alive. 4 Link to post Share on other sites
ffw Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Only if the one sacrificing himself is without any sin. That's not upto us to decide. Link to post Share on other sites
BetheButterfly Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 I am curious. I have had told by religious people that suicide sends you to hell, yet they also say that god is supposed to be loving and forgiving. If someone kills themself, they were not happy with life or were mentally unstable. Why would a god send them to hell That's an awesome question. Killing (in most cases) is against God's commands. One of the ten commandments that God gave Moses for the Israelites includes the following: “You shall not murder." - Exodus 20:13 (NIV) I assume this means not to murder oneself too. However, Samson basically committed suicide when he destroyed some of his and his peoples' enemies (Judges 16). I suppose it is ok in God's sight to kill in self-defense or country defense, though I have a hard time with that. However, I do understand and acknowledge that a very important reason I live in a free country is due to the "the men who died to give that right to me." That is powerful and sometimes I am guilty of forgetting that. Im Proud To Be An American with lyrics - YouTube I think one of the reasons why many Christians believe that suicide is an "unforgiveable sin" is because you can't repent afterwards, cause... you're dead. How can you repent? Most Christians believe one can't repent in the afterlife. I don't know though. One passage that greatly interests me in 1 Peter 3 is the following, (I boldened some.) "17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive,[d] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.[e] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him." Anyways, please do not consider killing yourself!!! Life is a gift that if you destroy your own life, you're destroying a priceless gift. Please don't do that. Instead, please use your gift (your life) to help others. If you focus on helping other people, I do think that eventually, you will find a wonderful helpmate (lady) to bless your life. Please don't kill yourself. Please instead make your life count to help others!!! You can do it!!! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
M30USA Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 That's not upto us to decide. Correct, but it's God's decision and we have been informed of it throughout the Bible: symbolically in the pastoral sacrifices of the "lamb without blemish", then in the New Testsment with the Christ, the Lamb of God. Link to post Share on other sites
M30USA Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 I was wondering if you could clarify a bit more. Are you referring to Christian believers who have fallen into despair? Do you believe that the soul has an opportunity to ask for forgiveness at the time of judgement (after death)? Yes, Christians aren't immune to the trials and temptations of Satan. And just because a suicide is the "last" thing they did on earth, it doesn't mean that God can't forgive it--regardless if there is a "moment of opportunity" at the point of death. Remember, God stands outside time. It's only us humans who have this view which says that the only things which count are the last things we did. I'm even skeptical about people who knowingly live a life of disobedience and, right before the die, they accept Christ. Yes, it might be legitimate, but true salvation is something which probably stands outside time, so that it covers a persons sins before, during, and after the "moment" of their salvation. FYI, Martin Luther believed suicide is not an automatic sentence to hell. Link to post Share on other sites
Robert Z Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Gotta love the Catholics, suffering is great but kill yourself and you go straight to hell. We were taught that suicide is a one-way ticket unless you say you're sorry before you die. So, I concluded, it is best to jump off a bridge rather than using a gun to the head. This way you can repent at the last minute. So a trip to hell all comes down to the choice between bridges and guns. Link to post Share on other sites
M30USA Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Gotta love the Catholics, suffering is great but kill yourself and you go straight to hell. We were taught that suicide is a one-way ticket unless you say you're sorry before you die. So, I concluded, it is best to jump off a bridge rather than using a gun to the head. This way you can repent at the last minute. So a trip to hell all comes down to the choice between bridges and guns. Post preface: Even though I am about to post critical comments about Catholocism, this doesn't mean that all Catholics are "going to hell" or are "evil". I am strictly talking about the doctrine here. I have come across a verse which, upon study, seems to refer to Carholocism and the rituals of Catholicism (specifically the worship of Mary the "queen of heaven"). If you have information on this verse then please opine. The children gather wood, the fathers kindle fire, and the women knead dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven. And they pour out drink offerings to other gods, to provoke me to anger. (Jeremiah 7:18 ESV) Link to post Share on other sites
somedude81 Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Please don't kill yourself. Please instead make your life count to help others!!! You can do it!!! Only a saint could think of helping others when they themselves are suffering. Link to post Share on other sites
Anela Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Only a saint could think of helping others when they themselves are suffering. If you can find a way to help others, even when you're in pain, it can allay the pain somewhat. Last year, I read the book 29 Gifts, and it reminded me of that (I first heard about the author's website four years ago). 2 Link to post Share on other sites
mercy Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 I am curious. I have had told by religious people that suicide sends you to hell, yet they also say that god is supposed to be loving and forgiving. If someone kills themself, they were not happy with life or were mentally unstable. Why would a god send them to hell Only God knows a persons heart. I believe with all things it is the intent behind our action. Was/is the person crying out for help and none in their mind was to be found. Were/are they making this decision to inflict pain on those they are leaving behind. 4 Link to post Share on other sites
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