This is from experience and I'm not making an assumption about any one religion.
Especially Christianity, as there are apparently two sides of the fence no matter where you go.
When I was in the hospital, a Christian told me that my life was not mine to take. God has a plan for me, he said.
Why do some Christians say this, and others believe in justified suicide as circumstancial?
Can any one of any religion know when the circumstances can justify suicide? The degree of pain one would have to be in to warrant euthanasia, is there a measurable area? Do you have to suffer so much before it's alright?
I'm guilty of this as well, believing that justified suicide is circumstancial. According to my own moral code, I can end my life out of intense pain (does intense depression count as intense pain? why/why not?) or to save someone else (you'd be selfish not to)..
Is harakiri (seppuku) justified? Cutting out your bowels to save your honor?
Undefined area:
Say I commit suicide by pushing a young child out of the way of a truck. Justified?
What if I commit suicide to save a cat. Justified? Why not? What if it's MY cat?
Say I commit suicide by saving a culturally cherished totem pole.. just?
How about a totem pole made in Taiwan that cost $10.00?
OF course, the circumstances are fuzzy and change from person to person! Depending on cultural/personal values and norms. But, in the case of the aforementioned Christian, he has a clearly defined rule.
Everything is in the hands of God. He'll end your suffering when he sees fit.
I hope to hear from Christians on both sides. Those for and against circumstancial suicide. (Because if everyone follows their own rules, we wouldn't have religion or government. Suicide is just a small facet of moral fabric.)
I'll ask other questions of morality in other threads. Varying opinions are fascinating.