Suicide

[mawilson 2,133]

Yes, and the penalty for attempting suicide is death!

It is illegal to try to kill yourself. Most attempts don't succeed, you know.

[DeadPoolX 9]

What do you mean by the "right to commit suicide"?

If you want to commit suicide, who's going to stop you?

And if someone tried to stop you, why would you give a ####?

In the U.S., it's considered illegal to commit suicide for any reason. This is why Kevorkian got thrown in prison, despite the fact his patients went to thim and asked him to end their lives. But the U.S. legal system feels that even if you're going to die, you still can't termnate yourself. So the only two ways to die legally are through natural or accidental means; suicide is, at the moment, very illegal.

Illegal to commit suicide? I think you meant "illegal to help someone commit suicide" - otherwise

it doesn't make any sense. What are they going to do - prosecute you for killing yourself?

Euthanasia is another story.

No, I mean it is illegal to commit suicide. Just as VJ Troll said, the attempt to commit suicide is illegal in the United States. Sure, you may say it shouldn't be that way and probably wouldn't matter to someone who's ready to perform the act, but what if they fail? Most suicide attempts don't succeed. Then what? Then they are in some serious trouble for committing an illegal act. The penalty would most likely be institutionalization at a mental facility.

[Jenn! 918]

What do you mean by the "right to commit suicide"?

If you want to commit suicide, who's going to stop you?

And if someone tried to stop you, why would you give a ####?

In the U.S., it's considered illegal to commit suicide for any reason. This is why Kevorkian got thrown in prison, despite the fact his patients went to thim and asked him to end their lives. But the U.S. legal system feels that even if you're going to die, you still can't termnate yourself. So the only two ways to die legally are through natural or accidental means; suicide is, at the moment, very illegal.

Illegal to commit suicide? I think you meant "illegal to help someone commit suicide" - otherwise

it doesn't make any sense. What are they going to do - prosecute you for killing yourself?

Euthanasia is another story.

No, I mean it is illegal to commit suicide. Just as VJ Troll said, the attempt to commit suicide is illegal in the United States. Sure, you may say it shouldn't be that way and probably wouldn't matter to someone who's ready to perform the act, but what if they fail? Most suicide attempts don't succeed. Then what? Then they are in some serious trouble for committing an illegal act. The penalty would most likely be institutionalization at a mental facility.

Which is a good idea, and probably why it's illegal, right? Can they put someone in a mental institution by force unless they've committed some crime?

[mawilson 2,133]

Can they put someone in a mental institution by force unless they've committed some crime?

Possibly. In New York, the sole legal grounds for involuntary commitment is a person's danger to himself or others.

[almaty 19]

Can they put someone in a mental institution by force unless they've committed some crime?

Possibly. In New York, the sole legal grounds for involuntary commitment is a person's danger to himself or others.

yeap..depending on the state ..is the length of hold..i have put many..i mean many people in the psych unit for 48-72 hours and then there is a hearing in front of a judge and can be extended ...

[Jenn! 918]

Ok, so I'm out of possible reasons why committing suicide is illegal.

[mawilson 2,133]

Ok, so I'm out of possible reasons why committing suicide is illegal.

Because the IRS doesn't want to lose a taxpayer?

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Ok, so I'm out of possible reasons why committing suicide is illegal.

Because the IRS doesn't want to lose a taxpayer?

[DeadPoolX 9]

Ok, so I'm out of possible reasons why committing suicide is illegal.

Because the IRS doesn't want to lose a taxpayer?

Honestly... I disagree with it. I think someone should be able to commit suicide if they want to, so long as the method they're using is not a danger to anyone else. Deciding to blow your brains out in your own home is a lot different than driving the wrong way down the freeway. Both might gain the desired results, but only one would put others at any noticable risk.

I think the reason suicide is illegal is due to a confusing combination of medical, legal, cultural and religious views:

1. The medical community would see suicide as mental health issue, so that no one "in their right mind" would ever wish to commit suicide. Unfortunately, it seems this view doesn't take into account terminal illness. Naturally, if someone is going to die no matter what they do, then they will be depressed and upset. Modern medicine wouldn't see that side of it, however. It'd see the patient as "depressed and in need of psychological and psychiatric care."

2. Legal views vary between countries (and even states and provinces), but usually suicide -- or attempted suicide -- is considered illegal in reference to "common law" more than anything else. Those who attempt and fail at suicide are generally dealt with by the health care system more often than the legal system, although legalities still exist (such as forcing the individual who tried to kill themselves to seek help or remain in an institution).

3. Culture, once again, varies depending on location, but some societies can see suicide as anything from a vile and cowardly deed to a noble and honorable act. In general, Western Society has frowned upon suicide while Eastern Societies have been more tolerant (some, such as Japan many years ago, even considered it the "right" thing to do if dishonored) of this form of death.

4. Religion has played a huge part in how suicide is viewed. Judeo-Christian beliefs, which are dominant in much of North America and Europe, have shaped our views on many things, such as suicide. Because of this, suicide has been thought of in a very negative way. Religions not assoicated with either Judiasm or Christianity, however, usually lack such associations with suicide. Some may still dislike or generally disapprove of it, but the extremely strong reaction against it is not there.

Edited April 16, 2008 by DeadPoolX

[sj5 4]

What do you mean by the "right to commit suicide"?

If you want to commit suicide, who's going to stop you?

And if someone tried to stop you, why would you give a ####?

[sj5 4]

i think suicidal person is potentially dangerous.

[DakotaK1 1]

Just curious:

Euthanasia (medically assisted suicide) what do you all think of that?

Just curious because this is legal in some countries (the Netherlands I think is one of the countrys)

[djcess 0]

I believe suicide is still a mortal sin no matter what the circumstances are and you'll go to hell too

Edited April 17, 2008 by djcess

[chri'stina 190]

Even though I am against suicide...I don't believe you definitely go to hell for it. I know someone who grew up a Christian but was having a time of severe depression, and committed suicide by jumping off a housing building at USF. Really really hard for his family, and is still hard for them over 10 years later. But I don't believe he went to hell. I think it's a sin, but I think God has more mercy than we think.

[PlatyPius 5]

Hmmm....I am pro-life. Anti-abortion, anti-capital punishment, anti-war, anti-suicide.

My faith is that life is a gift from God and neither I, nor any other human, has the "right" to take that away.

But, I have never been depressed and I have never experienced the murder of a loved one, so I cannot truly make a judgment.

I can only say what I believe. Perhaps if my child was killed I may look differently on capital punishment, but I don't believe so.

When Kevorkian was first brought into the news many years ago, I though that what he was doing was wrong. I still do.

Yet who am I to pass such judgment? My brother died of colon cancer, after a 5 year battle. My mother died of complications

from diabetes, after many many years of sickness. My best friend's brother died of cancer and my friend's husband died of cancer.

I have seen people suffer greatly through the process, and therefore who am I to judge someone for wanting to end that suffering?

Just because I think something is a sin doesn't mean it is my right to judge the person.

I believe in life, not "choice" because of my belief in God. But my faith also tells me that the only one with the right to judge is God.

You are one of only a few (of religious people) that I have heard (read) speak this way. It's rather refreshing. Usually the people seem to think that they are the mouthpiece for their god and can pass sentence and punishment.

i think suicidal person is potentially dangerous.

ALL people are "potentially" dangerous.