For the catholics,

I have often wondered where the teaching originated that says that suicide is an unforgiveable sin. I am sure there must be someone here that can give that answer. Thanks. Also, there may be other branches of Christianity that believes this also, if so, please share the scriptures, if you don't mind.

When I was Catholic, I was taught that suicide was not unforgiveable because anyone who would take his/her own life was obviously ill and unable to make a competent decision.

People have said suicide is an unforgivable sin because, pardon my language, but is the big "F*ck you" to God. He has given you this life and you have ended it. You have offended God in the biggest way. I don't know one hundred percent about religion, I'm nonreligious, but I read some where, that theres a passage in the bible that describes how if you take your own life, you have secured your place in hell to sum it up. I'm sure there's more unforgivable sins, far worse than suicide. I hope this gives you a general idea.

I'm not Catholic but I think It is Common sense How can you How can you ask to be forgiven for something if your already dead and How can you be forgiven ahead of time? Think about it. And the Scripture is Exodus 20:13 Murdering yourself is still murder.

rnealw: So why do you not generally conclude that anyone who died unexpectedly went to hell for whatever minor sin they might've had on their conscience, unforgiven, at the time?

Eleni, thank you very much for your answer, as this contradicts what I believed. I really thought that this teaching originated with the Catholic belief.

I am still hoping that someone can share scripture, that this teaching is based upon, since it is a widely held amongst many people, and seemed to be very prevelant in the ??? thru 70's, with it kinda dying out, in the 80's and on.

I asked this question because it is very close to my heart, as my dad took his life when I was 10 years old, and I know that many people believe that this automatically sends one to hell...

I have yet to find that in the scriptures.

What I have found is that Jesus says that once we belong to him, that nothing can seperate us from his love.

If you can show me otherwise, I am open to seeing it.

Thanks.

arachnid Have you ever heard of Grace? It appears you have no concept of how Christian faith works. . . I suggest you Read your Bible and stop assuming you already understand it. . .

Silverwings, I believe the idea did originate with Catholics but the teaching appears to have changed over time.

Let me also say that I'm very sorry for the pain you and your family have gone through. Although I don't believe in hell, I also don't believe that God would send a person to hell for suicide. As someone who has attempted suicide 3 times, I can tell you that a suicidal person is not thinking clearly and isn't really responsible for his or her actions. Wherever your father is, I believe with all my heart he is at peace.

rnealw: Would you care to explain how the bible distinguishes between someone who dies with unforgiven sins and someone who commits suicide? It's my understanding that the latter is simply a special case of the former.

I m muslim and I believe that this is a great sin...

You should read up on your own teachings and the history of your scriptures. Suicide was not a sin until it was ordained so in the sixth century because martyrdom was so extremely popular. In the bible (I am not familiar with the exact names and setting) there is a part where someone pushes over a column of a building and makes the whole building collapse on himself and the people inside (heretics or something, forgot, I'll look it up) and is applauded for it.

The main excuse found in the bible for making suicide a sin is found in "Thou shalt not kill", but as said before, it was not the word of God that said suicide is a sin, but the word of a certain holy man in the sixth century.