Suicide

Bible passages dealing with suicide

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The Bible contains a number of references of men seeking suicide, either

	by taking direct action or
	by begging God to kill them on the spot.

In these passages, the authors of the Bible do not appear to consider suicide to be a great moral sin. The act of committing suicide or of asking that God kill them are simply reported in a factual manner. The authors do not interpret these acts as sinful. They seem to be regarded simply as straightforward personal decisions.

However, the Christian church has traditionally considered suicide to be a great moral sin. Some denominations have even refused to bury people who have committed suicide in consecrated land.

The New King James translation is quoted in this section

Topics covered in this section:

	Suicide passages in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament)
	Suicide passages in the Christian Scriptures (New Testament)

A related essay and menu on this site:

	Menu: Suicide: facts, ethical aspects, religious considerations, etc
	Essay: Euthanasia and physician assisted suicide.

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Copyright © 2000 to 2009 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 2001-FEB-6
Latest update: 2009-SEP-11
Author: B.A. Robinson

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