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What would be the ultimate deterrent for atheist suicide?

Based off a previous question about these startling 'statistics' I began wondering what would stop an atheist from committing suicide? (Some) Christians have hellfire and eternal torment to look forward to if they commit this grievous sin.

What punishment would be appropriate for atheists?

20 Answers

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  • Regwah
    Lv 7
    8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    We miss out on life.

  • Mr Ed
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    For both Christians and atheists, the argument would be basically the same: we only have one life on this earth, so let's make it worthwhile and not just throw it away. Perhaps the effect suicide could have on our loved ones would also be a deterrent.

    There is no reason for Christians to see hellfire as resulting from suicide. A child of God can fall into suicidal depression. On the other hand it certainly is not God's will.

  • Absence of begging questions like this could well prevent suicides. How many atheists do you think there are? They comprise something like 2% of the world's population. Of course, if a few of them commit suicide, the suicide rate for them will be extremely high, because of their small number. Are you then trying to say that religious people don't ever commit suicide? That's hogwash, because I've known some who did. It just doesn't appear to be a problem because of the exorbitant amount of believers. Think through the math of it before you think you're an omniscient (hmm. wonder where that comes from?) being who knows everything about atheists and suicide rates.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    The ultimate deterrant would be to go back to God,and let the Holy Spirit in,there will be no more thoughts of suicide, only, joy and peace within themselves.And yes the punishment is Hell, for whoever commits suicide.

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  • Anonymous
    8 years ago

    No such thing as hell fire, people who follow Christianity are happy because busy sowing good seeds.

    Man kinds greatest weakness is suggestibility with the propensity to associate and become identified.

    People who view/pigeon hole themselves as Atheists, Creationists, Theists, and Agnosticist's ECT, may have allowed the ego to create this personal pigeon hole.

    Just as the word race or ethnic which is subjectively derived, a contemporary cultural construct, an adjunct, or what is known in Hinduism as an Upadhi, which can also be used to divide the minds of formatory thinkers. People also allow empirically derived scientific discoveries to circumscribe the mind and beliefs. Also lies obfuscate, as even those whom sound plausible can sound veracious.

    Subjectivism > the doctrine that all knowledge is limited to experiences by the self, and that transcendent knowledge is impossible (Shuts the door on God)???

    Formatory thinking > a term for the mechanical aspect of the lower intellectual center.

    Pigeon holing, and thereafter returning mechanically to them as statements of truth.

    Black and white statements or strictly agreeing or disagreeing.

  • 8 years ago

    There is no set punishment because there are no set rules to being atheist. Every Atheist may have a different belief. Just like, I believe that when I die, I'm simply going to return to energy. My body with nourish nature and my energy will remain here, somewhere.

  • 8 years ago

    Not knowing what statistics you're referring to, I can't comment on that part. All I will say is that atheists don't believe in an afterlife, so no form of punishment would deter them.

    But regardless of one's faith or lack thereof, exactly how would a post-death punishment work? As comedian George Carlin said, "Once you're dead... YOU DON'T CARE!" :)

  • Lynn
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    Oh for crying out loud.

    A deterrent for an atheist would be therapy, medication and taking hold of responsibility for making their lives better.

    Source(s): atheist
  • 8 years ago

    Not experiencing life in general. That would be punishment enough. However, I'm not atheist, I'm agnostic, and I think not living life would be a horrible punishment. Not seeing the sunset everyday and ect.

  • Anonymous
    8 years ago

    Technically, the Bible doesn't actually say that suicide is a sin. Christians say killing yourself is akin to "blaspheming the Holy Spirit," but that explanation doesn't hold a lot of water.

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