Home Christian News Lifeway Research: Americans Believe Suicide Is Epidemic, Not Pathway to Hell

Lifeway Research: Americans Believe Suicide Is Epidemic, Not Pathway to Hell

Religious beliefs and practice also play a role in attitudes toward suicide. Those with evangelical beliefs are more likely than those without evangelical beliefs to say suicide is selfish (48% v. 35%) and automatically leads to hell (39% v. 18%). The religiously unaffiliated are the most likely to disagree with the idea that suicide is selfish (64%). They are also among the most likely to disagree that someone who commits suicide automatically goes to hell (64%). And among Christians, those who attend worship services less than once a month, are the least likely to agree that suicide is selfish (36%) and the most likely to disagree that suicide automatically leads to hell (57%).

“For most, hell and selfishness are not the first things to come to mind when they think about suicide. Those less connected with Christian belief and practice are even less likely to see a selfish component to ending one’s life prematurely,” McConnell said. “Americans are twice as likely to see suicide as an epidemic to be stopped than a sin they can judge.”

In many cases, a person’s likely proximity to suicide contributes to their perspectives on the victims. Some that are the least likely to have experienced the loss of a loved one by suicide are among the most likely to say suicide is selfish and a path to hell. Whereas males are less likely than females to have a friend or relative who has committed suicide (34% v. 43%), they are more likely to say suicide is selfish (43% v. 33%) and leads to hell (27% v. 19%). Similarly, African Americans (32%) and Hispanics (30%) are among the least likely to have been closely impacted by suicide. And African Americans (31%) and Hispanics (31%) are among the most likely to say people who commit suicide automatically go to hell.

“It appears that some who are more distant from those who have taken their own lives are quicker to judge these actions,” McConnell said. “But it may also be true that those who have consequential views of suicide are less likely to be in communities that consider it.

“Jesus taught that each person should love their neighbors as God loves each of us. Each person has value and purpose because they are loved by God and others,” McConnell continued. “When each life matters individually and to the community, voluntarily removing any life is tragic.”

If you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

For more information view the complete report.

This article originally appeared here