Suicide

[Battlefrank]

One big opposition to suicide comes from religion. In Christianity, suicide is like throwing away a gift that someone had given you. God gave you life, and it's not your right to take it away. That said, I'm not religious. I think that the ONLY time it should be allowed is when someone has a terminal disease/condition. Or possibly something that can't be treated and causes excruciating pain.

STOP EVEN REFERENCING RELIGION, YOU ARE FUELING THE ESCAPIST HOLY WAR AND NEED TO BE REMOVED.

I was not aware of an "escapist holy war." Is one going on? And we don't have permission to even talk about religion? I'm confused.

On topic, suicide doesn't just hurt you. It hurts your friends, your family, anyone connected to you personally (aside from a mortal enemy or something). If you're in the desert with no friends or family, then whatever. But, otherwise, you have to think about the consequences. I think it's a bad idea because there are always things in life that you'll miss if you do it. Legally, I don't think it should be illegal, but there should be some requirement to seek treatment for a disease(including depression - it's treatable) if you have one or counseling or something. Euthanasia's fine, though.

Escapist Holy War is the name I've given to the fuckloads of religous debate around here lately

 

[James Raynor]

It depends if there just having a mood swing or if they are truly suicidal.

 

[gmer412]

Eh, I thought the objective of guns and bombs were to hurt.. A LOT.

Actually, they are made to kill usually

If you shoot yourself anywhere but a few vital places, you will take a very long time to die. You will bleed out or not die at all. Bombs create shrapnel, yes? Unless you are on top of the bomb (searing pain from explosion) you'll get shrapnel in you (which I'm sure is pretty painful) and then die. So, yes. They kill instantly if used exactly correctly, but usually it's pretty painful.

 

[Ace of Spades]

Well, people have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; should it be revised to life (or lack thereof) liberty and the pursuit of happiness? I don't think so.

 

[Slayer_2]

If you shoot yourself anywhere but a few vital places, you will take a very long time to die. You will bleed out or not die at all. Bombs create shrapnel, yes? Unless you are on top of the bomb (searing pain from explosion) you'll get shrapnel in you (which I'm sure is pretty painful) and then die. So, yes. They kill instantly if used exactly correctly, but usually it's pretty painful.

True, but were did I say they were absolutly painless. Most weapons aren't designed to make the victims have a quick painless death, just to kill one way or another. Simply being shot in the leg or arm can easily be fatal if not attened to quickly, from either shock or blood-loss, not to mention infections. Shrapnel is used to make a bigger kill radius, again, to cause more death. Only a few weapons are made only for injuring, like tasers, but even those can be fatal as you may have heard in the news lately. Either way, my opinion on suicide remains unchanged, and my work here done.

 

[Jaythulhu]

According to all the science, research and opinions of medical professionals, you are entirely wrong in your statement. That said, given how vehemently you emphasize your sweeping generalizations with swearing, I doubt this post, or any other evidence provided will dissuade you from running your mouth.

Perhaps I failed to explain myself properly. Having had it suggested to me that people who commit suicide are just like people who die from cancer made me see red, and I lashed out at out the nonsense I was presented with. I apologise to all if I came off as unfriendly to the mentally ill, or other such. I really should avoid posting when something has managed to irritate me.


Now then, to address your actual post:
A well reasoned argument, but I find a few things I disagree with, as to be expected, I guess. Psychology is very interpretational. Please note that what I said was generalised, not specific. Different people will have different reactions from treatment, but depression is not considered to be a disability or permanent illness by any reputable authority on the matter. Chronic depression and bipolar are different matters. Latest stats I can find post chronic depression sufferers as 14~18% of all people with depression. Their condition is often considered permanent, as the part of the brain that responds to treatment is often damaged or not functioning properly, and we don't have the technology to fix that.

Suicide takes a direct decision from the person. I can find no reliable case studies that list suicide as one of the effects of depression. Also, please note I was not suggesting that all people who get cancer die of it. I was saying there is a big difference between someone who dies from cancer, and someone who chooses suicide.
Note as well that I used one curse word when describing the consideration of others that suiciders have. I don't think I "vehmently emphasised" anything other than that.

Anyway, Kneelord, cheers for the counter. I'll try to explain myself a bit clearer next time. Aggression doesn't lead to well rounded posts. However, you do have a point. I am bigotted against people who commit suicide. I know full well the impact on the people left behind, and after going through that, I'll never change my opinion of them. I may also need to clarify that I do not view suicide and euthanasia as the same thing.

 

[cuddly_tomato]

According to all the science, research and opinions of medical professionals, you are entirely wrong in your statement. That said, given how vehemently you emphasize your sweeping generalizations with swearing, I doubt this post, or any other evidence provided will dissuade you from running your mouth.

Perhaps I failed to explain myself properly. Having had it suggested to me that people who commit suicide are just like people who die from cancer made me see red, and I lashed out at out the nonsense I was presented with. I apologise to all if I came off as unfriendly to the mentally ill, or other such. I really should avoid posting when something has managed to irritate me.

You did explain yourself properly, and you did again just now.

You are convinced that depression itself cannot be fatal. You do not consider suicide a consequence of the illness, but rather as a choice someone has made to deal with the illness. This is arrogant, ill informed, and according to all the current medical knowledge completely wrong.

Mentally healthy people do not often commit suicide. And mental illness is an illness as real as cancer.

 

[Logan Westbrook]

Yes, congratulations, way to diffuse a situation there. *applause*

Look people, I appreciate that this is a hot topic and you naturally have very strong opinions on it, but I would ask that you keep your responses civil.

 

[dalek sec]

It's weird for me, some days I really do wish to blow my brains out and other days I shake my head in disgust that I could think something like that.

 

[MindBullets]

People are often so fixated on the belief that death is inherently bad that they will restrict other people from choosing to kill themselves.

It should be legal. People should have the right. If they truly want to die, who are we to say "No, continue suffering because death is bad!"? Doctor-assisted suicide especially, as they will often be able to provide a painless and controllable method.

 

[Fox1789]

suicide is your personal choice.. and if you really want to kill yourself no one will stop you..

the people who get stopped are the ones who use it as a cry for attention.

and i also thin assisted suicide should be legal because idk but if i knew i was dying anyway and i was in an extreme anount of pain.. i would want to be put out of my misery

 

[SunoffaBeach]

What if suicide was only legal for people found to be of sound mind? I think this would be a great solution.

Welcome to Switzerland!

 

[Arsen]

Never. I believe in God and His Work, and under those beliefs it is an unforgivable sin to willingly kill yourself.

I can see why.
Live, do not choose to die. There is absolutely no reason for it unless you are mentally unstable.

 

[Beowulf DW]

Suicide is an "iffy" topic for me. Under extreme circumstances, I can understand, maybe even approve of suicide.

However, I've seen the sadness a suicide can cause. I saw one of my dad's coworkers, one of the toughest men I know, reduced to a pitiable wreck when his son committed suicide. The thought of causing such pain to the people who care about you is enough to convince me that suicide should only be a person's absolute, final option that is considered, if it's an option at all.

While in a state of depression, or when you've been really messed up by drugs (as was the case with the instance I mentioned above) you're not in the right state of mind to decide whether or not you should end your life. People like this need help, not a real life "Game Over."

P.S. I'd like to contest some previous posts that implied that depression could be fatal. Depression in and of itself is not fatal. Depression does not cause death on its own; it requires the depressed to make a decision to end his/her life. As mentally messed up as a depressed person might be, they still have a say in whether or not they commit suicide. Just to help clarify what I'm trying to say: it's like making a decision using incorrect or misinterpreted information.

 

[mike1921]

Why are there so many people here that think just because they don't agree with it, it should be illegal? It seems such a terrible irony that suicide should be illegal.

Thank you.

It shouldn't mean fuck that you disagree with suicide. Not everything you disagree with should be illegal. I disagree with the KKK existing, but I wouldn't vote against it.

 

[jockslap]

people should be allowed to commit suicide, but i think they need to pay someone to clean it up and report it to the police, that way they don't bother anyone.

 

[neoman10]

These days, there's much talk of suicide, and while I personally think of it as a terrible thing and decision, I consider it to be a person's right. They should be allowed to take their own life if they really want to. However, many people see fit to stop other people from committing suicide, and I think that this is a form of oppression. So what do all of you think, is suicide a right? Should people be allowed to commit suicide unobstructed?

we know why your avatar is that...I guess

 

[SunoffaBeach]

A society that has to force its members to live must be a fun place to live.

Imagine this forum being so bad you wanna quit but you can't.
People...force...me...to...post...this.

The same is true for that jerk called God and his(?) Work.

 

[Rankao]

My position, If you have No one who depends on you and you are in fact completely just useless then there should be no problem. However if you have young kids and a wife then you should indefinitely not because you aren't screwing yourself over you are saying "I don't give a fuck about anyone, they can all go fuck themselves" when you commit suicide while having defendants.