Some other mod may nuke this thread, but I see it as a philosophical, spiritual discussion and obviously not a personal expression of suicidal intent, which are the threads we're keen on taking down.

I think the strong attitudes objecting to suicide in traditional Judeo-Christian religion stem from the "Thou shalt not kill" commandment, Trip. Even when it's a self-directed act, it's still a form of killing or violence. And so the traditional notion of Christian consequences (hell) kicks in.

It doesn't make a lick of sense to me, either, but almost nothing about traditional, formal religion does. Suicide or any act of self-harm is an expression of illness and desperation, and it should be regarded as such. The assurances that people would go to hell for such behavior are primitive and punitive and, well, crazy. Fortunately, most of the more civilized, moderate Judeo-Christian religions seem to have a bit more tolerance and understanding nowadays about mental health.