What is the WT teachings on suicide?

kls

As a cult member i once asked a elder ,what are the witnesses teachings of suicide and his answer was that no person's that have taken their own lives will be resurrected wether they were JWS or not.

Is this still the same or have you heard something different.

If you have any Spiritual beliefs , what are your thoughts on suicide . Does god hate them ? does god forgive them ?

blondie

Here are a few thoughts that show how the WTS uses weasel words and dumps blame on the victim. So be forewarned. Recent thinking reluctantly admits that a suicide is just as likely as a murderer to be resurrected; that our death acquits us of our sin just as Jesus said he would see the evildoer in Paradise. (I only have the 2001 CD at work)

** g00 2/22 pp. 5-7 Given a Desire to Live ***

Those whose loved ones commit suicide are often tormented by the question, What could I have done to prevent it? Alertness to warning signs and risk factors may avert an attempt. But if not, remember that you are not responsible for another person?s self-destructive act. (Galatians 6:5) This is especially important to remember in those cases where the suicidal family member deliberately seeks to inflict guilt on others. Dr. Hendin, quoted earlier, notes: "It should be kept in mind that fatal suicide attempts are often made by people who are hoping to influence or manipulate the feelings of other people even though they will not be around to witness the success or failure of their efforts."

Dr. Hendin goes on to point out: "In the case of older people who are suicidal, there are often grown children as well as siblings or marital partners whom the patient wishes to influence, control, or force to assume a more protective role. The demands of the patient are often impossible to meet, the patient is often uncompromising with regard to them, and suicide attempts that are not serious are often followed by attempts that are."

Family members in these circumstances may feel that they are truly under extreme pressure, beyond their strength. Yet, never forget that Jehovah God raises up the dead and that this migh t well include our loved ones who because of depression, mental illness, or despair took their own lives. ?See "The Bible?s Viewpoint: Suicides?A Resurrection?" in Awake! of September 8, 1990, pages 22-3.

While suicide cannot be justified, it is comforting to remember that the future prospects of our loved ones rest with a God who fully understands that weaknesses and frailties could push one to such desperate action. The Bible says of Jehovah: "As the heavens are higher than the earth, his loving-kindness is superior toward those fearing him. As far off as the sunrise is from the sunset, so far off from us he has put our transgressions. As a father shows mercy to his sons, Jehovah has shown mercy to those fearing him. For he himself well knows the formation of us, remembering that we are dust."?Psalm 103:11-14.

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g91 1/8 p. 30 From Our Readers ***

Suicide

My mother, a faithful servant of God, took her life after a month of deep depression. Her death left an indescribable burden and heartache for all of us who loved her. The thought that I might never see her again made the pain of her loss harder to bear. Your article ("The Bible?s Viewpoint: Suicides?A Resurrection?" September 8, 1990) made me feel more "normal" and happy inside, knowing that I can entertain the hope of her resurrection.

T. M., United States

The article was merciful. But might not distressed ones view such mercy as justification for taking the "easy way out"?

N. G., United States

Feelings

of unrelenting despair might make death appear attractive to a severely depressed one. (Compare Job 10:1.) But since suicide is self-murder, it is a violation of God?s law and an unacceptable option for a Christian . If thoughts of suicide afflict a person, he should not presume upon God?s mercy but should seek help to resist self-destructive urges. (James 1:14, 15) He might think of the painful void his death will leave in the lives of loved ones. He should remember that Jehovah "is near to those that are broken at heart" and throw his burdens upon Him. (Psalm 34:18; 55:22) He should also let fellow Christians know of his despair and accept their support. Nevertheless, if a person succumbs to suicidal feelings, bereaved ones can take comfort in knowing that their loved one?s future is in the hands of a loving God. ?ED.

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g90 9/8 pp. 22-23 The Bible?s Viewpoint Suicides?A Resurrection?

THE tragic news of a suicide does not close a chapter in the lives of relatives and friends; it opens one?a chapter of mixed feelings of pity and anger, sorrow and guilt. And it raises the question: May we entertain any hope for our friend who took his or her life?

Although self-inflicted death is never justified, never righteous, the apostle Paul did hold out a beautiful hope for even some unrighteous ones

. As he told a Roman court of law: "I have hope toward God . . . that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous."?Acts 24:15.

Nevertheless,

many theologians have long dismissed any suggestion that the resurrection of the unrighteous might offer hope for those who commit suicide. Why?

Theologians

Contradict Resurrection Hope

William Tyndale identified part of the problem in the foreword of his 16th-century Bible: "In putting departed souls in heaven, hell, or purgatory you destroy the arguments wherewith Christ and Paul prove the resurrection." Yes, centuries ago, churchmen introduced a non-Biblical concept: immortal souls that leave the body at death and go straight to heaven, purgatory, Limbo, or hell. That concept clashed with the Bible?s clear teaching of a future resurrection. As Baptist minister Charles Andrews asked: "If the soul is already blissfully in heaven (or is already justifiably roasting in hell), what need is there for anything further?" He added: "This inner contradiction has remained to plague Christians throughout the centuries."

One result of such errant theology was that "since Augustine?s time [354-430 C.E.], the church has condemned suicide as a sin," says Arthur Droge in the Bible Review, December 1989, "a sin beyond redemption, just like apostasy and adultery."

The harsh verdict of being "beyond redemption," or hopelessly consigned to hellfire, carried the judgment-at-death argument to its shaky extreme. Admits the National Catholic Reporter: "Two of the church?s greatest doctors railed against suicide?Augustine branding it ?detestable and damnable wickedness? and Aquinas indicating it was a mortal [unforgivable] sin against God and the community?but not all churchmen have agreed."

Happily, we can avoid such "inner contradiction" by accepting two compatible Bible truths. First, "the soul that is sinning?it itself will die." (Ezekiel 18:4) Second, the real hope for dead souls (people) is to live again through "a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." (Acts 24:15) What, then, may we reasonably expect for people who commit suicide?

An

Unrighteous One to Be Resurrected

Jesus told a criminal sentenced to death: "You will be with me in Paradise." The man was unrighteous?a lawbreaker rather than a distraught suicide victim?guilty by his own frank admission. (Luke 23:39-43) He had no hope of going to heaven to rule with Jesus. So the Paradise in which this thief could hope to come back to life would be the beautiful earth under the rule of Jehovah God?s Kingdom.?Matthew 6:9, 10; Revelation 21:1-4.

For what purpose will God awaken this criminal? So that He mercilessly can hold his past sins against him? Hardly, for Romans 6:7, 23 says: "He who has died has been acquitted from his sin," and "the wages sin pays is death." Although his past sins will not be accounted to him, he will still need the ransom to lift him to perfection.

Therefore, theologian Albert Barnes was wrong and misleading when he asserted: "Those who have done evil shall be raised up to be condemned, or damned. This shall be the object in raising them up; this the sole design." How beneath a God of justice and love! Rather, a resurrection to life on a paradise earth will furnish this former criminal (and other unrighteous ones) a golden opportunity to be judged by what they do after their resurrection.?1 John 4:8-10.

A Merciful Opportunity

Stunned friends of a suicide victim may thus take comfort in knowing that "Jehovah has shown mercy to those fearing him. For he himself well knows the formation of us, remembering that we are dust." (Psalm 103:10-14) Only God can fully understand the role of mental sickness, extreme stress, even genetic defects, in a "suicidal crisis," which, the National Observer noted, "is not a lifetime characteristic [but] often a matter only of minutes or of hours."?See Ecclesiastes 7:7.

Granted, one who takes his own life deprives himself of the opportunity to repent of his self-murder. But who can say whether one driven to suicide might have had a change of heart had his fatal attempt failed? Some notorious murderers have, in fact, changed and earned God?s forgiveness during their lifetime.?2 Kings 21:16; 2 Chronicles 33:12, 13.

Thus, Jehovah, having paid "a ransom in exchange for many," is within his right to extend mercy, even to some self-murderers, by resurrecting them and giving them the precious opportunity to "repent and turn to God by doing works that befit repentance."?Matthew 20:28; Acts 26:20.

The Responsible, Scriptural View of Life

Life is a gift from God, not something to be abused or to end at one?s own hand. (James 1:17) Hence, the Scriptures encourage us to see ourselves, not as immortal souls, but as valuable creations of the God who loves us, who treasures our being alive, and who looks forward with joy to the time of the resurrection.?Job 14:14, 15.

Love strengthens our recognition that suicide?though evading one?s own burdens?only heaps more problems on loved ones left behind. As far as the one who rashly took his own life is concerned, we humans cannot judge as to whether he will get a resurrection or not. How reprehensible was he? God alone searches ?all hearts and every inclination of the thoughts.? (1 Chronicles 28:9) But we may be confident that ?the Judge of all the earth is going to do what is loving, just, and right!??Genesis 18:25.

[Footnotes]

This article is intended for the survivors of suicide victims. For a fuller discussion of the subject of suicide, see The Watchtower, August 1, 1983, pages 3-11 and Awake!, August 8, 1981, pages 5-12.

Farkel

The WTS is slowly and grudgingly admitting that mental illness actually exists and has hinted that "some" who commit suicide "may" be resurrected.

As long as it is practiced in moderation......

Farkel

minimus

Those who commit suicide will get disfellowshipped.

kls

Blondie -thankyou and how do you fit all them brains in your head

Farkel , yes they are talking of persons getting help. That did surprise me.

cruzanheart

Right. So first they drive a person to suicide and then say MAYBE such UNRIGHTEOUS people would be forgiven. How &*&%()$()# noble of them.

I fart in their general direction.

Nina

Bubbamar

Nina - you can get disfellowshiped for THAT too!!

So they admit that the "unrighteous" will be resurrected - but people who are DF'ed will not. Hmmm How can a disfellowshipped person not qualify as an "unrighteous"?

I imagine they have flip-flopped on this doctrine more than once.

I just love the disclaimer that people shouldn't commit suicide---as if they know that masses of their followers would do just that if they thought they would wake up next in paradise earth.

JT

The WTS is slowly and grudgingly admitting that mental illness actually exists and has hinted that "some" who commit suicide "may" be resurrected.

As long as it is practiced in moderation......

#####

YES Moderation is the key, indeed in wt

outoftheorg

The wbts seems unable to do the impossible, yet easiest and most truthful when responding to this question.

The only true answer is WE DON'T KNOW.

Outoftheorg

kls

Outoftheorg. that is the answer that all religions should live by instead of persecuting the loved ones left behind to wonder about their dead loved ones that have taken their own lives. That answer is something that i can live with.

What is the WT teachings on suicide?

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