The Scrutinization of Biblical text About Suicide

A Theological Thesis

Presented to the San Pedro College

In Partial Fulfillment

May 2020
 I

Introduction

Suicide was analyzed in terms of motivations to escape from aversive self-

awareness. Also it can be seen as an ultimate step in the effort to escape from self

and world (Baumeister, R. F. (1990)). According to World Health Organjzation,

almost 800 000 people die due to suicide every year.The influence of religion on

attitudes toward suicide was explored. Theologically, Werth, J. L. (2013) stated that

rational suicide was like following abortion as a mainstay of postmodem and post-

Christian society and was swiftly becoming a permanent fixture of contemporary

liberal, secular culture. On the other hand, a study of Siegrist, M. (1996) in regards to

the acceptance of suicide, stated that church attendance and Catholicism decreased

support for suicide. Additionally, it was said that the effect of religiosity on attitudes

about suicide was not affected by gender or by education.This study is timely and

relevant. For this reason, the group conducted the study inorder to adress situations

like suicide. Moreover, the group wanted to know if suicide is condemned in the Holy

Scripture.
Statement of the Problem

Suicide has become one of the biggest social problems of the current

generation that inflicts a great setback on lifestyles, one way or the other. It is a day-

to-day experience and everyday news in our society. Moreover this still remains as a

silent issue of discussion with less or no efforts being done to prevent or stop this

act. In this study the researchers focused on the how sacred scripture talks about

this dilemma, everything that is written related to this is what the researcher wants to

scrutinized. Specifically, it aims to answer the following questions:

 What is Suicide?

 What is the Moral Teaching of suicide?

 What is the Pastoral Recommendation of the church to persons who have

suicidal tendencies?

Objectives of the Study

Considering the recent circumstances enveloping the civil society and the

rising cases of committed and attempted suicide, the study aims to seek the

following:

a. To determine the prevalence and associated factors with suicide in the biblical

setting

b. To assess the level of personal and perceived knowledge of individuals about

suicide in relation to the Sacred Scripture; and

c. To evaluate the stigmatization level of certain individuals with regards to

suicide
 d. To propose possible interventions to improve mental health outcomes through

effective communication and forming therapeutic alliances with peers

.The purpose of this study is to evaluate the stigmatization level of people with

diagnosis of depression within three population groups: the general public,

the general practitioner(GP),the staff employed in the psychiatric hospital.The

main objective is to assess the levels of personal and perceived stigmatization

of people with diagnosis of depression in the studied population groups. The

second objective is to propose anti-stigma interventions correlated with thes

tigmatization level of each of the groups.

Significance of the Study

In this study, the researchers mainly focus to an issue that up until now is

being ignored nor preventive measures were not done to prevent this act. This study

will further discuss from what it means to the factors leading to this social issue. The

researchers will provide information on suicide and how it is seen in different

perspective. Also the researchers include the church’s viewpoint and their moral

teaching on this dilemma.

To the students, this study will serve as an awareness and for them to be

enlighten more about this issue.

To the adults, this research will enhance more their knowledge about the

issue and it will also serve as an awareness. In connection to this, they could

disseminate information or educate the youth about this social issue, for them to be

aware and not disregard this kind of social problem.

 II

Discussions

Short intro

Tapos discuss each:

 What is Suicide?

 What is the Moral Teaching of suicide?

 What is the Pastoral Recommendation of the church to persons who have

suicidal tendencies?

III

Summary and conclusion

IV

REFERENCES