Suicide

From Sean's Gospel Topical Guide
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  • Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, 3.8.5, 4.5.1
3.8.5 - Josephus discourses/philosophises on the evil of suicide. Considers it cowardly.
This is an odd position for Josephus, considering that he on other occassions commends people for taking their lives. He later 3.8.9 notes to Vespasian that according to Jewish law it is proper for generals to die, seemingly suggesting that it is proper for them to commit suicide.
For himself, in this instance, he considers suicide improper. This is rightly so, and the reasoning he uses extends beyond this instance and makes me wonder at what he might say more on the subject.
4.5.1 - Josephus speaks of the suicides of some at Jerusalem as being worse than being killed due to suicide's being voluntary. This, then, is a reiteration of Josephuses belief that suicide is wrong.
Statistics show the activity in the Church correlates inversely with depression, suicide, and divorce rates.
People who are out of work are twice as likely to kill themselves
Reports on recent rise in suicide rates, demographics, etc.

Cross-References