Comment

Comment by L Ross on July 16, 2013 at 6:47am

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?

Comment by SteveInCO on March 12, 2013 at 7:29am

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).

Comment by Michael Penn on March 12, 2013 at 7:20am

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.

Comment by Future on March 8, 2013 at 8:19am

The biggest thing keeping me from killing myself is the fear that I might get in trouble for it.

Comment by tom sarbeck on March 8, 2013 at 2:14am

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.

Comment by Idaho Spud on March 6, 2013 at 1:38pm

It should not be a crime and assisting should not be either.

Comment by Shane Morris on March 6, 2013 at 1:30pm

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.

Comment by leveni on March 6, 2013 at 4:05am

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.

Comment by Tom Reeves on March 5, 2013 at 5:33pm

Well, the good news is that you only face criminal consequences for attempted suicide.