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?

[sadolakced acid]

everyone has the right to kill themselves.

[Mulder]

well....theres no law against someone trying to kill themselves....so...im not sure what were supposed to debate. the religious view? ok.....most religions say you shouldn't because you'll go to hell. im not religious though.

i dont think someone can decide whether a suicide is justified...but for this guy..he lost everyone he loved....and he wanted to be with them. id probably do the same thing.

[sadolakced acid]

^ the only reason religions make suicide wrong is because dead people can't "spread jesus's word and do his work." spread the faith thier religion. peace.

[queen]

weakling ;x

[Spirited Away]

^ he is 85. how many seniors that age are strong? well... seeing how young people suicide all the time... i guess age doesn't matter.

[Paradox of Life]

Why would you be thinking about this? He's already dead. Don't try to justify everyone's every move. So what if suicide is a sin? A book or religion should not be holding you back from making decisions that could better affect YOU. I think his actions were justified. Moreso than the mopey teenagers that commit suicide because of stupid things.

[illumineering]

Isn't he bound by his Christian ideals to not kill himself? When he was baptized, wasn't he accepting everything his Creator put before him? Isn't he breaking a rule and therefore subject to "judgement" because of his actions?

[Paradox of Life]

He's dead now. Whatever God planned to happen to him will happen to him. I hope he rests in peace though.

[*mipadi*]

well....theres no law against someone trying to kill themselves

Actually, many areas do have laws prohibiting suicide. In fact, even as late as the 1970s, those guilty of attempted suicide could be placed in jail; attempted suicide is rarely prosecuted anymore, though, and if it is, the guilty party is usually given court-ordered psychiatric care, not jail time.

[jadedseed]

He had the right to plan his death; there was nothing more for him... notthing was left for him anymore. He watched everyone he loved die slowly through cancer and heart troubles. So why couldn't he take his life and end it now before it got too painful and by then maybe no one would be there. I don't agree with what he did, and I don't feel sorry for him because it was a choice he made that was selfish and merely passed on his worries to another. But in an emotional and irrational mind, it was justified to him, and we should respect his feelings.

It might seem sacrilegious to say this but… the way I see it, even Jesus let himself die to realize burden from this world. Even if it cost the anguish of his mother who knew he had to inevitably die. So maybe, just maybe that old man wanted to relieve the burden of 3 people now... Rather than tomorrow

[lKVNiiKINKYl]

people lose sight of hope easy
not to sound cruel but i mean pull your freaking self together
a lot of people close to you have died but how does it make u feel
now imagine everyone you know feeling that when they lose you

[sadolakced acid]

who said he was christian?

[Paradox of Life]

Actually, many areas do have laws prohibiting suicide. In fact, even as late as the 1970s, those guilty of attempted suicide could be placed in jail; attempted suicide is rarely prosecuted anymore, though, and if it is, the guilty party is usually given court-ordered psychiatric care, not jail time.

That's retarded. People no longer have freedom of choice. The laws and government now forbid them to do what they thing is best for themselves. I might just commit suicide for that.

[illumineering]

who said he was christian?

I did. He was a Baptist.

[Shana_Kru]

Honestly i think its just a selfish act when you kill your self your just thinking about your self and not how its going to effect anyone else.

[sadolakced acid]

I did.  He was a Baptist.

oh right.

Honestly i think its just a selfish act when you kill your self your just thinking about your self and not how its going to effect anyone else.

who, might i ask, would it have affected negitivley?

[Shana_Kru]

who, might i ask, would it have affected negitivley?

ummm he sed that sum1 had a miscarraige from the stress...and his grandsons wud hav bin upset an its not like they were horrible and didnt love him they asked him to move closer...

[sadolakced acid]

ummm he sed that sum1 had a miscarraige from the stress...and his grandsons wud hav bin upset an its not like they were horrible and didnt love him they asked him to move closer...

almost.

and you know that in thier hearts they were secretly relieved. noone wants to take care of a depressed old man.

[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

[lbjshaq2345]

no suicide is justified

[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.

[Shana_Kru]

like sum1 else said no suicide can be justified. he knew what it felt like for ppl he loved to die then he went and made ppl hes suppose to love feel exactly the same way wen he took his own life..