I am just wondering what other sensible people think regarding the topic of suicide being treated as a crime. It seems in our society there is no room for the open discussion of suicide as a matter of choice rather than an act of amorality against one's self, or, at the very least, a symptom of mental disease.
I find it rather peculiar that suicide is viewed in such a way when one takes into consideration the idealization of suicidal characters in our various mythologies and recent popular culture.
What do you think?
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Absolutely NOT! If someone truly wishes to end his/her life as a final answer to unsolvable problems with poverty, disability, physical pain, addictions, etc., he/she should be allowed to do so. Since when did the government have the right to interfere with such a personal decision as whether or not to end one's life? If people attempt suicide and fail, they need HELP, certainly not criminal prosecution! Is there a suicide hotline for atheists? Or are they all Xian-funded? Does anyone know?
If you think about it only attempted suicide could be a crime, at least here on earth. Unless they want to try a corpse or punish your relatives (and that last only happens in tax cases).
Religion teaches that if you commit suicide you are lost and "burn in hell" forever. The minister has a "way out" for this saying a person committing suicide is "not in their right mind." Therefore, they cannot be held accountable for their actions. While that does not solve the problem, persons wanting to commit suicide should be looked at very seriously. Perhaps assisted suicide should be an option for some. It's a matter of whether it's a "mental health" issue or not. About 5 years ago I worked with a girl who expressed a desire to commit suicide. Just a few months ago she achieved her goal. As for what the problem was, only she would have known.
The biggest thing keeping me from killing myself is the fear that I might get in trouble for it.
For the person most affected, continuing life or ending life is a rational or pragmatic choice.
In a secular USofA, criminalizing suicide violates the First Amendment religion clause.
In a web search on "painless suicide" I learned a lot.
It should not be a crime and assisting should not be either.
I don't think it should be a crime at all! Suicide can be a viable alternative for some people in comparison to the life they may be living. If they wish to commit suicide, it isn't our business to stop them or criminalize it.
I don't think there is much point in making it a crime, but putting into place a network/system that is there to help people who feel suicidal is a good idea. It such a waste when young people commit suicide.
Euthanasia is a different issue though. But still there should be a support network for helping people wishing to euthanize themselves.
Well, the good news is that you only face criminal consequences for attempted suicide.
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