Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site amdahl.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!cbdkc1!desoto!packard!edsel!bentley!hoxna!houxm!mhuxj!mhuxr!ulysses!allegra!bellcore!decvax!decwrl!sun!amdahl!gam From: gam@amdahl.UUCP (gam) Newsgroups: net.suicide Subject: Re: Why society - religions - oppose ... Message-ID: <872@amdahl.UUCP> Date: Sun, 6-Jan-85 03:31:11 EST Article-I.D.: amdahl.872 Posted: Sun Jan 6 03:31:11 1985 Date-Received: Tue, 8-Jan-85 03:43:21 EST References: <1191@ihuxm.UUCP> Organization: Blue Mouse Trailer Resort, Hellmouth, CA Lines: 30 > Here's something else to kick things off: > > I was wondering about society's motives to counter suicide: > there are some socio-psychological needs that go against > suicide, but in any case they are not nearly as clear-cut as > those opposing incest or murder. There must have been a lot > written on that previously. > Also, those needs were strong enough to manifest themselves as > instances of divinely prohibited actions in some religions. I > do not have a balanced picture here, maybe someone could give > a perspective. > > Mike Cherepov Well, there's the quazi-Marxist view that suicide is opposed by oppressing capitalist (dogs) as a depletion of the exploited workforce! Also, if suicide is seen as a devaluation of life, it might create disturbing questions for survivors if it is freely permitted. Also, the basic tragedy of suicide is the lost of the life and experiences of an individual who is appreciated by their fellow human beings. They no longer contribute to the diversity of human experience. -- Gordon A. Moffett ...!{ihnp4,hplabs,sun}!amdahl!gam "Her name was McGill, and she called herself Lil, but everyone knew her as Nancy...."