Bible and Mission

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...