cajela

In fact, one of the first major sociological studies ever was Emil Durkheim's On Suicide. His conclusion was that people with closer community ties are less likely suicides than others. No doubt many of you will go "well, dur" but it was published in 1897, and had some groundbreaking statistical work in it. For example, he established that suicide rates weren't really lower among catholics, as it seemed superficially, they were just covered up more.

Religion can provide that sense of community for some. But it certainly doesn't work for all.

jayh

That is a presumption and one that relies on arbitrary definitions of 'weaker'. Suicide is a complex issue with causes ranging from ritual (seppuku) to the pragmatic (dying before disease eats the family fortune, or before alzheimer's destroys the mind).

hokowo

I am of the opinion that there are only suicides, those who attempt dont really want to do it.

If you really want to kill yourself, you will.

Hence the question.

Pity one cannot call back the suicides and ask them if they were athiest or theists.

premjan

I guess suicide without an external purpose (e.g. say at least suicide bombing or collecting insurance money) is a sign that a person is 'giving up'. Giving up is a sign of a person that is weaker psychologically right?