Is Suicide Sin?

Last updated on: June 14, 2018 at 7:17 am by Roger E. Olson

Is Suicide Sin? 2018-06-14T07:17:46-05:00 Roger E. Olson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Is Suicide Sin?

According to news reports suicide has increased in the United States by about thirty percent in the past two to three decades. It seems that is the case in some states more than others, so it might not be correct to project the statistic onto the whole country. Nevertheless, there can be no doubt that suicide is increasing in America.

In recent years many celebrities have committed suicide and, in most cases, people who knew them said there were no clear “signs” of that impending death. One doctor I saw and heard on television explained that people who are determined to commit suicide are usually very good at hiding that intention because they don’t want to be stopped.

I can’t even begin to count the number of times I, as a Christian theologian, have been asked “Is suicide a sin?” Of course, I’m always sensitive to the person asking the question because, in many cases, someone very close to them did commit suicide. I offer no immediate definite answer but ask “Why do you ask?”

Here I will only offer my best Christian theological answer and hope that it helps people struggling with a loved one’s suicide and possibly even someone considering suicide for himself or herself.

*Sidebar: The opinions expressed here are my own (or those of the guest writer); I do not speak for any other person, group or organization; nor do I imply that the opinions expressed here reflect those of any other person, group or organization unless I say so specifically. Before commenting read the entire post and the “Note to commenters” at its end.*

First of all, if you are considering suicide—talk to a trusted and hopefully professional person about it. There is hope and help; don’t hide your inclination. Get professional help from a trained pastoral counselor or other professional person. Or at least call the Suicide Help Line in your state or city. Use a search engine to find one.

Second, if you suspect someone you know may be considering suicide, talk to him or her about it and help him or her find help to overcome the depression or whatever is causing these thoughts.

Here, however, my main concern is simply to offer the best Christian theological answer to the commonly asked question “Is suicide sin?”

Most people know that traditional Christian churches of all types have traditionally said it is a sin. And some have said it is the unforgiveable sin because it ends the possibility of repentance.

However, in recent years, even many traditional Christian churches and leaders have reconsidered that position in light of evidence from modern psychology that most people who commit suicide are clinically depressed—a condition rooted in brain chemistry.

I will offer this nuanced answer to the question: If a person kills himself/herself without being in a state of depression (broadly defined) and for the purpose of hurting other people (for example out of spite), it is sin. Their eternal destiny after death is God’s decision and not mine. I will not make any judgment about that. However, if a person kills himself/herself out of despair due to depression (broadly defined) I cannot consider it sin. I consider it a final symptom of an illness.

Many people are tempted then to point out to me the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” and argue that I am excusing murder (self-murder). I respond that there are many exceptions to “Thou shalt not kill” including (in the context of the Old Testament where that commandment is found) war and capital punishment. Most people who make that objection to my claim that suicide is not always necessarily sin believe that killing another person in self-defense, when necessary, is justified and not sin.

I assume that the vast majority of people who kill themselves are not in their “right mind” at the time. It is an act of desperation to become free from the horrible, debilitating disease of untreated or uncured clinical depression.

So, no, I do not believe most suicides are sin; they are acts of mental and emotional illness. I believe in a loving, compassionate God who understands such despair and welcomes people into his loving presence those who kill themselves in a state of extreme mental anguish but trust in him.

Having said that, however, I do not want my theological-ethical judgment about suicide to become an excuse or justification for suicide. I just do not think that teaching suicide is sin is helpful to people considering it or to their surviving loved ones. And it is not consistent with my view of God as loving and compassionate.

*Note to commenters: This blog is not a discussion board; please respond with a question or comment only to me. If you do not share my evangelical Christian perspective (very broadly defined), feel free to ask a question for clarification, but know that this is not a space for debating incommensurate perspectives/worldviews. In any case, know that there is no guarantee that your question or comment will be posted by the moderator or answered by the writer. If you hope for your question or comment to appear here and be answered or responded to, make sure it is civil, respectful, and “on topic.” Do not comment if you have not read the entire post and do not misrepresent what it says. Keep any comment (including questions) to minimal length; do not post essays, sermons or testimonies here. Do not post links to internet sites here. This is a space for expressions of the blogger’s (or guest writers’) opinions and constructive dialogue among evangelical Christians (very broadly defined).

Uncategorized

Previous Post

June 11, 2018

Is It Okay to Hate Men?

Next Post

June 17, 2018 Is Cruelty to Children Ever Justifiable?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Against Liberal Theology Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the name of the garden where Jesus prayed before His arrest?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Eden Gethsemane Bethany Golgotha