I'm talking about common decency for the dead person's grieving families who had no idea this was going to happen. And that mental illness hits people of all types.
Catholic hot-shot Bill Donohue from Catholic League writes:
"If Anthony Bourdain had been a religious man, would he have killed himself? Probably not. The celebrity chef was found dead today in his hotel room in Strasbourg, France."
Atheists put their hope in science and medicine and when that fails they feel hopeless. For people who don't know God...it is all too easy to fall into despair when you are suffering depression or other mental illnesses with no hope, no knowledge of God.
Yet mental illness kills religious and non-religious alike.
Researcher Ning Hsieh, funded by the National Institute of Health, released a report based on data from 42 countries in seven regions, and found the following...
Quote: "...although religion is linked to lower suicide rates in Latin America, eastern Europe, northern Europe, and English-speaking countries, it is associated with higher suicide rates in East Asia, western Europe and southern Europe.Whatever you think of the person who committed suicide...how about some compassion for their families and friends trying to cope with the sudden loss of their loved one?
According to the study, evidence that religion protects against suicide is strongest in Latin America, where a one percent increase in religious participation is associated with 3 percent decrease in suicide rates."
Where has compassion and come decency to not speak ill of the dead (especially when the body is still warm) gone?
Donohue wasn't the only one showing a cold heart to the deceased family, David Leavitt (a generally nasty person on any given day) stormed Twitter with his unkind thoughts upon the death of Bourdain (clearly these two never liked each other, but one is dead and the other can't refrain from attacking a dead man).
What the hell is wrong with people? A person, doesn't matter who they are, commits suicide and people trash talk them with ZERO thought for their grieving families left behind.
The sudden death of a loved one is gutting to families. You can't wrap your head around it and the very last thing you need are people like Donohue and Leavitt sitting in judgment of your deceased loved one. You're probably already worrying about their souls. What you need are prayers and support to get through this tragic time. Suicide is a tragedy.
These dim-witted men sit in judgment of the deceased as if they know what mental illness Bourdain may or may not have been suffering to do such a horrible thing.
And since Leavitt mentioned "purgatory" in his tweet, I should share the Catholic Church's thoughts on suicide.
Catholic Catechism #2282 If suicide is committed with the intention of setting an example, especially to the young, it also takes on the gravity of scandal. Voluntary co-operation in suicide is contrary to the moral law.Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide.
Catholic Catechism #2283 We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives.Can't we just PRAY for the dead and their suffering families?
Would that really be too much to ask for in today's society?
In Christ,
Julie @ Connecticut Catholic Corner
***To be clear, I've never watched a show with Anthony Bourdain in it, but I have seen commercials for his shows over the years. I don't really know anything about this man, my point in writing this was mostly about compassion for his family and friends who are grieving now.
Links:
https://twitter.com/David_Leavitt
https://www.catholicleague.org/would-religion-have-saved-bourdain/
http://dc.medill.northwestern.edu/blog/2017/07/05/new-study-suggests-religion-affects-suicide-rates-differently-around-the- world/#sthash.9evBo1m2.dpbs
Julie,
ReplyDeleteSince these were celebrities that killed themselves knowing that it would be front page news, would you allow that it is okay to firmly say that one has to assume that murdering a child of God, even if it is yourself, in all likelihood sends you to an infinitely more miserable and permanent situation.
Even if these were ordinary people, would you allow that it is okay to voice this for the protection of those that might be tempted to do the same.
I would say the suicide mostly likely will land you in Hell, but that as the catechism states, there is still hope- depending on the persons mental health. If a person is terrible mentally ill and not in their right mind to make proper judgments -they hear voices or see things not there etc, I think God has mercy on them. People in their right minds who kill themselves, say to avoid jail or humiliation for something they've done- my guess (and its only a guess) is they will find their just reward in Hell. All that said, I am glad it is God who judges them and not me.
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