Welcome to the site; I see you are still fairly new. Once the search feature unlocks for you, you should search around as there are a lot of topics around this already...
When I chat about why most religions frown upon suicide, it boils down to key ideas like the sanctity of life and divine sovereignty. Many people believe life is a special gift from a higher power, so when someone takes their own life, it feels like they are undermining that sacredness. Additionally, there's a belief that only the divine has the authority to decide when a life should end, making suicide seem like a way of stepping outside that divine plan.
Historically, attitudes toward suicide have evolved significantly. In ancient times, especially in places like Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome, suicide was often linked to concepts of honor and shame. For instance, Greek philosophers like Plato debated the morality of suicide, with some arguing that it could be a noble choice in desperate situations. In Roman culture, suicide was sometimes seen as an honorable escape from capture or disgrace.
However, this perspective shifted dramatically with the rise of Christianity. As it spread during the early centuries CE, views on suicide became increasingly negative. The belief in the sanctity of life became central to Christian teachings, emphasizing that only God has the right to take life. This perspective also influences Islam and Judaism, which both have strong prohibitions against suicide. During the Middle Ages, these religious views profoundly shaped societal attitudes toward suicide.
Interestingly, many people assume the Bible condemns taking one's own life. However, even a careful reader will search in vain for any explicit prohibition of self-killing in the Bible. In fact, the biblical attitude toward suicide ranges from ambivalence to praise. There are seven unambiguous examples of suicide in the Bible: Abimelech, mortally wounded by a millstone, ordered his armor-bearer to dispatch him to avoid the suggestion he had been slain by the woman who had thrown the stone (Judges 9:52-54); the prophet Ahithophel hanged himself after betraying David (2 Samuel 17:23); Zimri burned down his house around himself after military defeat (1 Kings 16:18); and the more familiar stories of Saul and his armor-bearer (1 Samuel 1:1-6; 1 Chronicles 10:1-6), Samson (Judges 16:28), and, of course, Jesus' disciple Judas—although it is only in Matthew's Gospel where he kills himself (Matthew 27:3-5; compare with Acts 1:18). There is nothing in any of these stories to suggest that the biblical narrators disapprove of the characters' suicides.
Suicide in the ancient world did not carry the same negative connotations as it does today. For Greco-Roman philosophers, suicide under correct circumstances constituted a "noble death." Socrates (469-399 B.C.E.) chose to drink hemlock rather than endure exile, a choice endorsed by most philosophical schools at the time. If carried out for country, friends, or in the face of intolerable pain, incurable disease, devastating misfortune, or shame, or to avoid capture on the battlefield, suicide was seen as noble. Each instance of suicide in the Bible aligns with these ideals. Saul's death, for example, parallels that of the Greek general Publius, who, similarly wounded on the battlefield, ordered his armor-bearer to kill him (Plutarch, Crassus 25.11).
Two of the biblical incidents exhibit a positive attitude toward suicide. The author of the Gospel of Matthew seems to invite the reader to interpret Judas's hanging as an act of remorse. Judas repents (metamelētheis) and returns the blood money he received for betraying Jesus (Matthew 27:3). He acknowledges, "I have sinned in betraying innocent blood" (Matthew 27:4). His suicide may be interpreted as an act of atonement, as he carries out the penalty laid down in the Hebrew Bible for taking a life: "no expiation can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of him who shed it" (Numbers 35:33; see also Leviticus 24:17). There is no hint of condemnation of Judas's self-killing in Matthew; if anything, it resolves his guilt rather than exacerbating it.
The Israelite leader Samson's suicide is similarly interpreted positively. The narrator highlights the death toll from Samson's actions at a pagan temple, emphasizing that God empowered him to carry out this act. Human and divine approval is sealed with the conclusion: "so those he killed at his death were more than those he had killed during his life" (Judges 16:30; compare with Hebrews 11:32-36). While modern readers may be less inclined to view Samson's suicide as commendable, parallel examples of heroic suicides exist in contemporary film (think of like Spock in The Wrath of Khan, astronauts in Armageddon and Deep Impact, and the character of Russell in Independence Day).
Despite these biblical examples, MOST Christians still believe that suicide IS NOT an unforgivable sin. Some may argue otherwise, but I strongly disagree based on religious texts and contemporary views. If someone has genuinely accepted Jesus and found redemption, that act is seen as covered by Christ's sacrifice. Verses about confession and forgiveness, like 1 John 1:9, focus on the relationship between a believer and God rather than strict legalism. Thus, for many, suicide does not outweigh the grace offered through Jesus.
Looking at other faiths reveals similar sentiments. In Mormonism, suicide is considered serious. The Church teaches that life is sacred and encourages individuals to seek help when struggling. They reference passages from the Doctrine and Covenants, like 121:7-8, reminding members to face trials with patience and seek comfort in their faith. While suicide is viewed as a sin, there's a strong belief in God's mercy, especially for those who may have acted out of mental illness or severe emotional pain. Jehovah's Witnesses also regard suicide as a sin against God because it contradicts the command to preserve life. However, they recognize that mental illness can impair a person's ability to make rational decisions, emphasizing the sanctity of life with verses like Ecclesiastes 7:17 and Isaiah 55:6-7, which encourage seeking God and imply that mercy is available for those who struggle.
In Islam, suicide is seen as a grave sin. Life is regarded as a gift from Allah, and only He has the right to take it away. The Quran underscores this notion in 5:32, equating killing oneself with slaying mankind entirely. Believers are encouraged to trust in Allah, reminded in 2:155-156 that trials are part of a divine test that should be met with patience. The Hadith literature also warns against suicide, indicating severe consequences for those who take their lives. Nonetheless, like other religions, Islam emphasizes Allah's mercy. The Quran reassures believers in 39:53 not to despair of Allah's mercy, suggesting that even serious sins can be forgiven. Scholars argue that if a Muslim who committed suicide was suffering from severe mental distress, Allah's mercy might extend to them.
While it seems that most major religions disapprove of suicide, there is often a layer of mercy involved—like the belief that God will forgive or that Jesus died for one's sins. Most faith traditions, in various ways, discourage suicide.
On the flip side, some religions and philosophies take a different stance. Buddhism, for instance, doesn't label suicide as a sin. Instead, it views it as a reflection of suffering and ignorance, emphasizing compassion and support for those in distress. Hinduism also has a nuanced approach; it doesn't outright condemn suicide but highlights karma and the importance of fulfilling one's dharma (duty). In cases of extreme pain, it might be seen as a tragic choice rather than a moral failing.
Unitarian Universalism encourages open discussions about mental health without judgment, emerging from the merger of Unitarianism and Universalism to emphasize spiritual growth and truth-seeking. They draw from various religious and philosophical traditions, promoting social justice. Secular humanism, while not a religion, focuses on human values, reason, and ethics, prioritizing human welfare and navigating life using rational thought. Existentialism, more philosophical than religious per se, acknowledges individual freedom, suggesting that people have the right to make choices about their lives, including the choice to end them.
As for me, I don't subscribe to any religious beliefs, so discussions about suicide & religious implications don't resonate with me personally. I see death as a natural part of life and am not concerned about what happens afterward or facing judgment from a divine being. However, I fully respect that everyone has their own beliefs and understandings!
Wishing you peace and serenity!
