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Seasoned with Salt
Thinking about Life and DeathSuicide: To Be or Not to Be
Philosophers have pondered Hamlet's life-and-death question through the ages: Is it ever philosophically appropriate for a person to take his own life? The question does have an answer, but the answer at which one arrives is colored by one's world-view--the set of lenses through which one filters all critical thought.
How many different possible world-views are there? Hundreds? Thousands? Millions? I suggest there are but two, and for the non-academic they are simply construed: (1) There is no God; and (2) There is a God.
If there is no God, there must be an alternative explanation for the existence of the universe. Today's mainstream scientists operate from this basic premise. Although the word science derives from the Latin word that means "to know," modern scientists have abandoned the quest for knowledge in favor of a quest for justification of the No God worldview.
Here is an example: Several years ago, in announcing a research paper that (on what turned out to be weak evidence) seemed to support the popular Big Bang theory of origins, the lead researcher exclaimed to reporters, "It's like looking at God!" The exuberant remark, while making good press, was deceptive, since the sole reason for the Big Bang theory is to try to explain how it all got here without God.
The NoGodders are fond of issuing statements designed to give the public the impression that their often-half-baked theories are well-founded. At the same time, they conveniently ignore certain "minor" details, such as the problem of explaining how the whole, immense universe with its gazillions of galaxies could fit into a space smaller than a decimal point (a restatement of the question, how many angels can fit on a pinhead?); or even if such a preposterous notion could be true, then how did the decimal point get there? Strict adherence to their belief system, while ignoring the obvious evidence against it, moves their theory from the realm of science into the realm of religious belief. And, they defend it with religious fervor, quashing and ridiculing quality research that debunks their theories.
On the other hand, those who believe in God recognize that people exist at His pleasure. If He decrees Ten Commandments, then Ten Commandments there shall be!
How does all of this help answer Hamlet's question?
If your world-view stands without God, then life has no intrinsic value. Your great-great-etc-grandpa was an ape, and you have no more value driving the minivan than he did swinging from trees. In that case, your life is your own, there is no after-life, and you are accountable to no one for life decisions. In that case, it follows that committing hari-kari is no more significant morally than selecting caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee.
If your world-view includes God, and if you have recognized this fact and turned your life over to Him, then you have no right to take your own life. As the man Jesus, He died to reconcile you with himself (click on the link for details), so you could have eternal life. The number of your days are in His hand, because you belong to Him.
One more point: If you are experiencing a difficult time, please contact me. Even people who belong to God can be discouraged and depressed, but God in His love and mercy made other believers available to provide you with support, encouragement, and help where necessary.
Celebrate life! It is a once-in-a-lifetime gift from God.
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