Prohibition and Invitation…(IN: The Least Worst Death: Essays in Bioethics on the end of Life, by Margaret Pabst Battin)

The author investigates the Christian view of suicide by exploring these questions: On what basis is the Christian religious tradition opposed to suicide, & why is its opposition so strong – indeed, so much stronger than that of other major religious traditions? The goal of the author is to point out what is pardoxical in the modern world about Christian views of suicide because historically they have contributed to modern psychological, sociological, & legal views of suicide, which now form the basis for professional study & treatment of suicide throughout the world. As well, only Christianity promulgates a strict, thoroughgoing doctrine prohibiting suicide.