Atheists and suicide

[StatCrux]

I've sometimes wondered if suicide rates are higher amongst atheists, once ultimate meaning in life is removed suicide can be rationalized. Interesting little article I found.

http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/article....urnalID=13

[Cthulhu Dreaming]

Well, durr. If one believes in sin, an afterlife and eternal suffering, one would not tend to think that ending one's life would end one's suffering, would they?

In other news, studies show that water is wet.

[Tobie]

It is statistically true that areas with more church/mosque/synagogue/temple etc attendance rates have lower suicide rates, it is almost certainly nothing to do with believing in god. Depressed people are less likely to want to attend church etc. , and going to places of worship regularly gives you a support group. Another group of people with higher suicide rates are homosexuals, who have lower attendance rates due to religious homophobia.

It is probably the disdain many theists hold for atheists that makes it harder for atheists to find a support group.

[Faith No More]

I think it also has something to do no inherent meaning in an atheist's life. An atheist has to struggle with the question, 'does my life have a meaning?' while the theist get's to jumpn right to 'what is the meaning of my life, as dictated by god?'

[MysticKnight]

(9th June 2012 19:10)Faith No More Wrote:  I think it also has something to do no inherent meaning in an atheist's life. An atheist has to struggle with the question, 'does my life have a meaning?' while the theist get's to jumpn right to 'what is the meaning of my life, as dictated by god?'

Why can't your life have meaning without God?

[frankiej]

(9th June 2012 19:22)MysticKnight Wrote:  

(9th June 2012 19:10)Faith No More Wrote:  I think it also has something to do no inherent meaning in an atheist's life. An atheist has to struggle with the question, 'does my life have a meaning?' while the theist get's to jumpn right to 'what is the meaning of my life, as dictated by god?'

Why can't your life have meaning without God?

That is what he is getting at. We just have to dwell on it a bit longer.

[MysticKnight]

(9th June 2012 19:23)frankiej Wrote:  That is what he is getting at. We just have to dwell on it a bit longer.

Hmm...it has meaning to you, to friends, to parents, to family, and to humanity. Humans in general want others to live a good life.

So even if not for yourself, do it for others, do it for humanity, because humanity in general wants you to live a good life.

[Ace Otana]

(9th June 2012 19:10)Faith No More Wrote:  I think it also has something to do no inherent meaning in an atheist's life. An atheist has to struggle with the question, 'does my life have a meaning?' while the theist get's to jumpn right to 'what is the meaning of my life, as dictated by god?'

I have to admit that there were points in life where I was looking for a sense of meaning. Eventually found it of course and between then and now I've always been happy.
I guess some people find it tougher than others.

I guess it depends on how you look at life and what meaning you can draw from it. Personally I can't see much meaning in praying and hoping for another one after this. Seems kinda sad and pointless. I see life as a journey and it's all about what you do during this journey that matters, not the destination. You don't want to reach the destination because it'll mean the end of the journey
Plus, there's no guarantee of another life. There may not be another journey.

[Shell B]

This thread is depressing. Nonetheless, I would take a higher risk of suicide over a life of lies.

[Faith No More]

Mystic Knight Wrote:Why can't your life have meaning without God?

It can, but first the atheist must decide whether or not their life can have any meaning at all. This is a step that theists get to skip.