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Suicide In Youth: A Meditation on Some Causes.
Many communities around the world are experiencing serial suicides among their young people. For reasons unknown Death
seems like a real viable option to their pain. Could it be the inexperience of youth, the acute sensitivity of what they
see in their home, community, world?
Nearly every religion preaches that there is something better awaiting us after this life- a place peaceful, no pain
nor injustice. Some kind of reward awaits everyone who dies.
Of course many condemn suicide; however, we are told god is most merciful and loves us unconditionally so he would
understand the pain that we want to escape from to return to the Father. Suicide is also self sacrifice. What is more nobler
than to give one's life for another- no matter how fine a definition self sacrifice is a suicide.
Even Christianity is based on a suicide. Jesus knew if he was found in the garden he would be arrested and he would die.
Suicide bombers are certain they are doing the right thing for their cause and are assured they will be rewarded in Heaven.
There are many suicides by policeman in the world and suicide by life style choices. The movie "Leaving Las Vegas"
was about a man bent on killing himself and he succeeded. People use drugs excessively, drink themselves into oblivion, take
part in risky behaviors and lifestyles and are always courting their death. These people are not brave enough to kill themselves
outright but let some bizarre cosmic game of Russian Roulette surprise them.
To be young and overwhelmed by life is a seed for suicide. The options may be so many that choice is impossible, or the
odds of success bleak, or there may be no choices for their futures. We are all vulnerable, and live by the goodwill of our
communities, our governments, each other. We are forced into roles we'd rather not play, be party to events we have no say
in, forced to obey orders that are wrong, unjust, immoral.
Most of us can separate private self from the public puppet we must be to survive. But Teenagers and young adults can
not reconcile the world as it is and the world we are told can/should be. Everyday we are bombarded by the rich, famous, and
talented who are in a downward spiral of self destruction. How can these people who "have it all" be so unhappy?
If money, fame, talent cannot save these people what can a teenager do to be happy?
Many turn to the internet where relationships are shallow at best and false in reality. Alone with a computer the world
narrows as they find like minded friends who then feed each other's misery. They can see the adult world as false- wars and
killings because people, factions cannot and refuse to talk their problems out. It is easier to kill others than work to
solve their differences.
Teenagers have learned from the adult world that death is a sensible option for problems. It is a final solution to pain,
misery, discord. And I do think that many who commit suicide deep down inside believe there is some forgiveness from the god
they are trained to worship from birth- that they are going to a better place. And as believing people we should think they
have just returned home early. And this is where our faith is tested. Do we mourn the loss of our children or rejoice that
they are home with the god we have carefully constructed and instructed our children to believe in?
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