is this suicide justified?, 85 year old man shoots himself Options

[illumineering]

An 85 year-old man committed suicide in my town last week. His wife died about 4 years ago from cancer. His daugher-in-law died 6 years ago from cancer. His son had a heart attack and died last week. His only living relatives were his only son's 2 children. They asked him to move near them so they could be closer together. They said they would build him a house near them in Philadelphia so they could take care of him.

After he buried his son, he took his dog to the kennel the next day, returned home, and shot himself.

Was this man justified in doing this? Is this an overreaction to a difficult situation that he could have accepted over time? Was he placing his grandchildren under a more difficult situation because he was feeling sorry for himself? When his granddaughter found out, she almost miscarried her baby because she was so emotional. Doesn't the bible say suicide is a sin? (He was a Christian.)

Because he didn't want to burden anyone and had lost everyone that he was close to, was his decision acceptable? Let's face it, the best years of his life were over and he has the right to decide when and how he should leave this earth. His actions should be respected.

I'm having a hard time resolving this. Although I can respect his right to decide what he wants to do with his life, I also feel that his actions were somewhat selfish.

What do you think?

[Shana_Kru]

^ you cant assume something that wasnt said thay may have really loved him...

[illumineering]

^ you cant assume something that wasnt said thay may have really loved him...

They did love him deeply.

[Olive]

They did love him deeply.

and if he gave a shite about them, he wouldn't have killed himself

[illumineering]

and if he gave a shite about them, he wouldn't have killed himself 

If you've ever experienced the kind of losses he did, you would know that was not the point. Read the first post again.

[Olive]

If you've ever experienced the kind of losses he did, you would know that was not the point.  Read the first post again.

Acutally, I have problems likewise to what happened to this fellow. Im pretty sure, everyone suffers loss and depression at some stage. I nearly killed someone with pot and felt so guilty I felt the need to die. In the most difficult and helpless times, someone saved me because they needed me in their life. Exactly what the point would be, is the old man's choice. He chose to end his life for what ever reason. What loss to him could be greater than his own life? But nevermind, it seems you've made up your mind already.

[illumineering]

Acutally, I have problems likewise to what happened to this fellow. Im pretty sure, everyone suffers loss and depression at some stage. I nearly killed someone with pot and felt so guilty I felt the need to die. In the most difficult and helpless times, someone saved me because they needed me in their life. Exactly what the point would be, is the old man's choice. He chose to end his life for what ever reason. What loss to him could be greater than his own life? But nevermind, it seems you've made up your mind already.

While I'm sorry for the suffering that you experienced, I don't quite understand your post. The losses that were greater than his own life are that of his son and wife. I don't see the parallel to your experience. There was no one that needed him; everyone who did was dead.

If you read the entire thread including the initial post, you would realize I haven't made up my mind.

[Olive]

While I'm sorry for the suffering that you experienced, I don't quite understand your post.  The losses that were greater than his own life are that of his son and wife.  I don't see the parallel to your experience.  There was no one that needed him; everyone who did was dead. 

If you read the entire thread including the initial post, you would realize I haven't made up my mind.

It seems you're only thinking about how he feels. There are much more things in life to consider before ending it. Other people it will effect, for instance. From what you have said, he had other living relatives that cared to share their time with him, however, he rejected that offer and suicide was the last option he chose upon. Like him, suicide came into my mind quite often when I was younger and more ignorant. So what exactly is proven once you're dead? Narrow minded-ness that your depressive troubles is worth more than anyone else. Its a tragedy he died, but the act of suicide is simply murder.

[illumineering]

It seems you're only thinking about how he feels. There are much more things in life to consider before ending it. Other people it will effect, for instance. From what you have said, he had other living relatives that cared to share their time with him, however, he rejected that offer and suicide was the last option he chose upon. Like him, suicide came into my mind quite often when I was younger and more ignorant. So what exactly is proven once you're dead? Narrow minded-ness that your depressive troubles is worth more than anyone else. Its a tragedy he died, but the act of suicide is simply murder.

How he felt is of critical importance. You even eluded to your feelings in your initial post. He did consider other things...he put his affairs in order and took his dog to the kennel.

He wasn't a young person like you were, he was 85 and rapidly losing his ability to care for himself. Why do you think he was trying to prove something? This was not a case of claiming "ownership" of his life or ultimate control. He wasn't proving anything in that sense.

This is the MSN Encarta definition of murder

crime of killing somebody: the crime of killing another person deliberately and not in self-defense or with any other extenuating circumstance recognized by law

I don't understand your use of the term.