Christian views on suicide

Life is sacred and God - given, no human has the right to take on that role. Jesus showed reverence for life and helped the sick and those near death. His action and teaching concur with the view that God gives and takes away. Any interference in that is wrong. Christians believe that people are made in the image of God and the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. It is disrespectful to God to take life or to ask for your life to be taken. Some Christian teaching suggests that the suffering which may come as result of a painful terminal illness is a part of a plan God has for people and those around them. People should not interfere with this possibly inscrutable plan.

Others would take the view that whilst only God can take life, there are limits to what he would expect his creatures to suffer and that his compassion and mercy can sometimes require that a person is allowed to die. Some might go further and accept active euthanasia for the same reasons.

In some situations the life and death issue becomes blurred by the ability of modern medical care to prolong life. There is a difference between killing (active euthanasia) and allowing a person to die – nature taking its course – passive euthanasia. People who have no faith may view their life as their own. This may lead them to consider that it is up to them whether they live or die. No one else should interfere. Whilst it may not be wrong in the absolute sense, it is a selfish act that will cause suffering and sorrow for those left behind. In some circumstances it is better that the person takes their life rather than live and suffer – this could be an argument for euthanasia or for example in wartime when a spy may choose suicide rather than suffer torture

Conservative Christians regard suicide as a grievous mortal sing because it violates the Divine Law, sanctity of life and Natural Law. Suicides faced severe punishment in Hell and were denied a Christian funeral or burial. Dante places suicides in the 7 Circle of Hell. 1 Corinthians: ‘Anyone who destroys that temple will be destroyed by God’. Dante places suicides in the 7 Circle of Hell (alongside Murderers)

Progressive Christians take a more compassionate view towards suicide because they follow agape teachings and the second of the great commandments love thy neighbour as thy self. CCC: ‘We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives’.