Introduction This report on suicide in our world today is offered for three reasons. First, the statistics begin to provide a perspective on suicide in different demographics, regions, and over time. Second, the statistics contribute to forming hypotheses about suicide that must be further researched. Thus, third, the actual reporting of statistics raises questions about the proper use of statistics. I have, therefore, both presented some recent statistics in this report and offered some caution about using them. As my statistics professor said many years ago, ‘Remember, more people die in hospitals than anywhere else. So, should we avoid hospitals?’ Statistics are often used for social planning—even social revolution. The right use of statistics, even if accurately reported, is crucial. What does a high number of suicides among teenage males mean for the teacher, the youth pastor, the use of social media, the cultura...
Introduction In this chapter, I will present a variety of views across Christian traditions on the issues of suicide and assisted suicide. The chapter concludes with a few resources to those interested in pursuing the subjects from a Christian perspective and practice in ministry. One of the grave problems with the ‘independent church’ movement is that such churches lack ecclesiastical guidance and directives on significant issues. Churches need to have set in place the wisdom of the Church throughout Church history, not only in Holy Scripture, when it comes to issues like suicide and euthanasia—issues not directly addressed in Scripture. The Orthodox Church: For Example, The Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas The Orthodox Church is comprised of various jurisdictional groups that have some doctrinal differences. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople holds a position of first among equals among the other jurisdictions. To answer questions...