Dear Editor,
The recent death of the 15-year-old student by suicide should be a matter of concern for all of us. I often wonder in amazement at the death of our young people; life snuffed out so often by suicide, accidents, murders, drug overdose, alcoholism and life rejection by people who reject our young people. I want to challenge us as a nation particularly our young people that we are born with a purpose to live and not die. Purpose in theological terms simple means why do we exist in this world? What are our goals, visions and dreams? Where do we go from here when we die?
Purpose can guide life decisions, influence behavior, shape goals, offer a sense of direction, and create meaning. For some people, purpose is connected to vocation—meaningful, satisfying work. For others, their purpose lies in their responsibilities to their family or friends. Others seek meaning through spirituality or religious beliefs. Some people may find their purpose clearly expressed in all these aspects of life. (Richard Leider) The untimely death of this young lady should motivate the Education Ministry and religious leaders to do more in our schools among our young people including the University of Guyana.
When people are confused, frustrated and rejected, they feel they can take their life and just end it all but they can kill their bodies but not their souls. Our souls are our true spiritual bodies that will stand before God on the day of judgement and those who commit suicide have no chance of salvation unless they repent before they die.
‘’For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.’’ -Ecclesiastes 12:14
What is suicide? Suicide is defined as intentionally taking one’s own life and comes from the Latin word suicidium, which literally means “to kill oneself.” It tends to carry different traits depending on culture. Literally speaking, suicide, or completed suicide is the successful act of intentionally causing one’s own death. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death worldwide and rates of completed suicide are higher in men than women – with men up to four times more likely to kill themselves than women. The most cited risk factors for suicide include psychiatric disorders, genetics, substance abuse, and family and social situations. Oftentimes, psychiatric factors and substance abuse co-exist. (Quote from PSYCOM). I will also like to give a theological viewpoint of suicide. All suicide cases have a demonic spirit attached to it, many times when a person murders someone they will also commit suicide. It’s a demonic spirit working in their minds to kill a person and themselves. I have had the privilege to counsel and pray for people contemplating murder and suicide and see them free with much prayers and counselling. While we mourn the death of this child from Mae’s school; it’s time we introduce religious studies into our school curriculum from Primary to University. It’s is God’s purpose and plan for us to live life to its full potential and don’t die before our time.
I call on all of us to say yes to life and not suicide. I end this discourse with a quote from Shakespeare: ‘’This life, which had been the tomb of his virtue and of his honour, is but a walking shadow; a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.’’
Regards,
Rev Dr Gideon Cecil
