Heaven, Hell or Purgatory? (Full Version)

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pstrdebi -> Heaven, Hell or Purgatory? (7/21/2008 6:51:11 PM)

(Yes... I know there is no purgatory)

This morning I had an alarming call from my 28 year old son in So Cal. He was asking for prayer for his boss who tried to commit suicide (he is just 30 something... and as of last word, he is still alive... but we do not know the condition.)

This brought up much conversation between my husband and I about suicide and how God views it. I mentioned purgatory simply because when I asked my son if his boss believed, he told me all he knows is that he was raised Catholic. Being raised Catholic myself, I remember being taught that if you committed suicide you would go to purgatory.

So I'm curious about how others see this. I have not researched this topic very much, and I guess I need to. But I can not recall seeing anything regarding suicide in the Bible.

How do you feel about it? Is it sin? Will the person enter Heaven if they have received Christ? And why do you feel that way?

PS... please keep this young man in your prayers.



earthless -> RE: Heaven, Hell or Purgatory? (7/21/2008 6:57:21 PM)

Interestingly enough.. the Christian Research Institute's Journal has the topic of suicide as its main one for this month: HERE

If you're able to get your hand on an issue, please do.



Liveloved -> RE: Heaven, Hell or Purgatory? (7/21/2008 7:36:17 PM)

debi,
There has been a thread on suicide here for sometime but I have not participated in it and am not computer savvy enough to do the 'linking' thing that others are able to do.

My mentor took his life a number of years ago. This man was a strong Christian who influenced my life greatly. But his family struggled with depression. And he ended up taking his life. This family had many on the mission field, many in ministry and I went to the funeral wondering what the response would be. I thought the roof would lift off the church as we worshipped the Lord and we celebrated this man's life. There was not one word of anything other than the amazing God we love and serve. I do not doubt that this man is with the Father. He believed but for a moment he thought he was beyond the power of God. Will God forgive that moment? Yes. I have not doubt about that.

So Lord I pray that this man does not end his life until he finds You, eternal life which he cannot end. And I pray that many here lift up this man to the throne of grace and help him find the mercy that he so desperately needs. Bless you, deb![:)]

My response isn't based just on the response of these people but on what I know of God. Unbelief is the sin that separates us from Him but I fully believe He distinguishes between unbelief and momentary unbelief. He knows our hearts.[sm=heart.gif]

And tell your son many are praying.



Walker311 -> RE: Heaven, Hell or Purgatory? (7/21/2008 7:47:04 PM)

This topic has been discussed many times and there are varying beliefs. It is a very touchy subject especially to those left behind.

The bottom line is that we are not God and we cannot judge the heart or mind of those who choose to kill themselves. A majority of Christians know that suicide is wrong and some may have difficulty labeling it as sin if the person is mentally unstable at the time they choose to take their own life.

Will a person go to hell if they choose suicide even though they are without doubt Christians? No one can make that judgement.

Consider this! No sane person will commmit suicide. In our church, a Christian man with a beautiful family killed himself because of debt and a failed business. I would consider God merciful in this case. It was a cowards way out but undoubtedly the man was nuts.



mvic -> RE: Heaven, Hell or Purgatory? (7/21/2008 8:15:43 PM)

The real answer is that nobody knows where suicides' souls go. God alone will decide whether a suicide victim (for they are victims) will enter Heaven or not.

Most suicides are carried out when people's mental state is temporarily unbalanced because of a traumatic experience. If we being human have pity on them, then do you not think that an infinitely more loving God will also have mercy on them?

Some suicides are carried out when people's mind is crystal clear. I speak of people who are terminally ill who plan their death well in advance. Assisted suicides are illegal in the UK and people have been known to travel abroad to end their lives and save their loved ones who helped them from prosecution.

How would God judge such an act; when someone ends their life because they do not want to face a prolonged painful and un-dignified slow journey to death; or when they want to avoid the pain and suffering that this would cause their loved ones? I suspect He will understand the reason behind peoples decisions and judge them accordingly.



ta_mosquito -> RE: Heaven, Hell or Purgatory? (7/21/2008 8:31:10 PM)

CLICK HERE for a thread currently running on this topic. Please continue discussion there.


Thanks!

Tricia
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