Are atheists more prone to committing suicide?

It is important to keep in mind that atheism and agnosticism have no inherent proscription against suicide, so higher rates of suicide among agnostics and atheists should in no way be considered a failure of these belief systems. Indeed, compassionate tolerance for suicide and euthenasia are widely regarded as hallmarks of many secular societies.

Did you read that? Look at the quotes from the religious people. "I believe only God has the right to end my life." "My religious beliefs forbid it." Not to mention that the sample of non religious people they chose were frequently younger, unmarried, no children, etc.

It's also a study amongst inpatients, those who are already depressed. You can't take a study like that and leap to "atheists are more prone to committing suicide."

Lastly, it's hardly a recent study. It's almost 5 years old. In the world of science, after 5 years, it's barely citeable.

I don't know but I do know one can find any statistics they want on the internet to suit their purpose.

From personal experience I knew 3 Christians who regularly visited the mental ward and many more who were seriously depressed and wouldn't take anti-depressants due to the asinine opinions of fellow Christians.

As for God believers less prone to committing suicide ... you might just want to turn on the TV once in a while and see what Muslims are up to.

im an atheists.i don't believe in god or religion.but i believe in love.life.i mean i still got a wife to love my child to love an teach.i don't have any of that yet.so im looking forward to it.i believe in myself an the person i am.i know that life is so much more.in fact life is what i want to make it for myself.

suicide is the easy way out in my view.suicide is committed my people who haven't gotten help with whatever they feel thy have to kill themselves for.

binging an atheists wants me to get to know more.about people the world i live in.the Universe.the stars. im realising that everyone is just one.an that were amazing.

i know that when im ready an whoever im in love with together well bring one in the world. so my answer is no.

There aren't any proscriptions against suicide; all the religious people are afraid of going to hell if they kill themselves.

This study also takes nothing but religious unaffiliation into account, and ignores other environmental factors that may be at play. I also notice that the study says, "religiously unaffiliated subjects had significantly more lifetime suicide attempts," which does not correlate with atheism, simply with rejection of religion. The study is obviously talking about more than just atheists. AND the study population consisted of depressed people who had already been admitted to a mental hospital.

You are taking this study WAY out of context.

sounds a bit biased espeically this sentence "subjects with no religious affiliation perceived fewer reasons for living"

sounds ruibbish, as just because we dont believe in god certainly doesnt mean we have fdewer reasons to live

and if the people were DEPRESSED,, then of COURSE they will say that

duh

and if i lived in america, id probably do the same

but , i dont, i live in scotland, land of the ACTUAL free religion and non religions

It doesn't make sense that they would be. It seems more likely that Christians would be, since Christianity is so negative and separates you from god...

What makes someone commit suicide is the fact that they're in unbearable pain due to life circumstances beyond their control. Nothing more, nothing less.

No, not really. I wanted to kill myself all the time before I began going to church and being serious about God. Now that I'm with Him, I don't feel the need to end my life.

Its all so true. I never realised it before. But those articles made me realise on the spot that i am depressed without God. I think im going to jump of my roof now. That or convert. Hard choice.

Major sarcasm by the way. Get a life and stop wasting your time pulling invalid articles from the internet in an attempt to prove your phony religion.

Maybe. So what? From the article you posted:

"Social scientists believe that non-belief in God or lack of religiosity are not causitive factors leading to suicide. Rather, it is likely that religious belief that suicide is wrong is a strong deterrent factor that prevents otherwise suicide-prone individuals from committing suicide. "

What are you trying to prove?

Also, theists are more likely to go to church and a church can provide a sense of community which most humans crave.

None of this validates any religion in any way.

Oh, and, yes, "ignorance is bliss". I'd rather be informed and a little less blissful.

~Atheist, ex-fundie-Xian, former New Ager