Suicide and Hell

As a hospital chaplain I have come to expect certain questions. Probably the saddest question of all is a common one on the mental health unit. It goes something like this. "Hey Chaplain. Do people who commit suicide go to hell?"

My preference is to put the question back on the questioner therefore encouraging the patient to articulate their own understandings of God. However, this is one question that I feel compelled to answer. The answer makes me nervous.

I will answer with something along the lines of "I do not believe so, but a lot, perhaps the majority, of Christianity does believe so". I will stress that it is simply my opinion. I will stress that they should discuss suicidal feelings with doctors, social workers, and/or me. There are two reasons that I am nervous about answering that question.

1) Maybe my answer will give the extra push they need to successfully commit suicide next time.

2) I may be wrong. In my heart I believe God will ultimately save all people. That said, I'm not sure of this. It is simply the educated opinion that I have settled upon. If there is a hell, I would hate to minimize it.

Here are a few thoughts on suicide and hell. I believe that the Bible simply does not condemn suicide. When King Saul kills himself there is no mention of condemnation. When Judas kills himself there is no mention of condemnation. When Samson does it he is a hero giving his life in an ancient supernatural version of a suicide bombing. The Bible simply does not condemn suicide.

Where does the idea that suicide is a terrible sin come from? If memory serves me well, it is none other than Saint Augustine who wrote that suicide is a sin because it is murder of the self. Further, it is an awful sin because one cannot confess it after the act.

I don't know what to think. People who kill themselves are at the end of their rope. Those who kill themselves due to mental illness are experiencing such tremendous pain that they can no longer take it. Don't take my word for it. Befriend someone with major mental illness. They will share this with you. Would God condemn someone for seeking mercy and release from pain? Would God condemn someone for actions committed when "not in their right minds"? I cannot believe that God would condemn someone to hell for suicide. Perhaps a life-review. Maybe even a good old-fashioned "talking to", but not eternal hell. They already lived their hell.

In certain cultures suicide is an honorable act. Would God condemn someone to hell for doing what they believed to be honorable? Certainly not. Frankly, if I were captured in battle, I suspect I'd choose suicide over being a prisoner of war. Thank God I have never had to find out.

Readers, please do not see this post as "permission" to commit suicide. Rather, I encourage you to see a God who's compassion and mercy exceeds human understanding. If you are considering suicide, please tell somebody. Get help.

God bless you.
Brian