I look at it this way. The worst part of suicide is how much pain it causes the survivors, right? So if you can forgive your brother for what he did, don't you think God can? After all, God loves us like a parent loves a child. Is there anything that you can't you forgive your child for? I don't think so.

I also believe in reincarnation and that we travel in "soul groups", so to speak, so maybe your brother has been reincarnated as someone close to you. Or perhaps he's waiting for all of you to join him before you all start a new cycle together.

No one knows for certain, but I truly believe that he is okay now and that you will see him again.

if the church has finally caught up with my thinking im happy to hear it.

all i know is when i was becoming Catholic we were taught that suicide was the only sin that couldnt be forgiven.

church teaching does change from time to time.

I never bought the Catholic theory on this. Suicide being the only

sin that cant be forgiven...Someone could kill 100 children and be

forgiven, but kill themself and they cant. That never made any sense

to me.

Well, actually, Heidi, that isn't quite right. I'm Catholic and suicide can be forgiven. For instance, there was a police officer here that was involved in a shooting and took it very hard. He committed suicide and was buried from the Cathedral of St Paul, which is the head church of the Archdiocese.

sin that cant be forgiven...Someone could kill 100 children and be

forgiven, but kill themself and they cant. That never made any sense

to me.

But with that said I will say that God knows your brother and what his state was at that moment...He won't hold it against him. Pray for him as will I.

This is very humbling for me that all of you that responded took some time to form your thoughts. I appreciate your sharing of beliefs on this topic. He has been gone for so long but alas I sit here with a lump in my throat because of some of these responses. I just wish we could know for sure instead of having to "wait and see". Such an ironic twist for all of us that we won't know until our time has come and even then we may not actually know anything because like BornAware says, once the electrons stop firing, that's it. In regards to what NoWhammies wrote about reincarnation- we wouldn't even then know for sure because we are just brought back to learn more lessons on our soul's path. I guess it is good to be curious and even better when folks share their ideas and beliefs. Thank you.

I imagine that we do "know" while we are in our "life between lives," which is what I believe happens to spirits after physical death and before our next physical birth. We are aware then . . . I think. Of course, these beliefs are based on the notion that we don't just cease "to be" at physical death -- I believe there is sufficient evidence (for me) that this doesn't happen.

There is also evidence of people remembering their past lives and being able to reveal factual details they just could not know otherwise.

Ryan are you reading this? Can you tell us about remembering some of your past lives that you mentioned in your profile???

This is very humbling for me that all of you that responded took some time to form your thoughts. I appreciate your sharing of beliefs on this topic. He has been gone for so long but alas I sit here with a lump in my throat because of some of these responses. I just wish we could know for sure instead of having to "wait and see". Such an ironic twist for all of us that we won't know until our time has come and even then we may not actually know anything because like BornAware says, once the electrons stop firing, that's it. In regards to what NoWhammies wrote about reincarnation- we wouldn't even then know for sure because we are just brought back to learn more lessons on our soul's path. I guess it is good to be curious and even better when folks share their ideas and beliefs. Thank you.

**hugs**

I believe suicide is a decision we make in life. While those decisions very likely become a part of who we are overall as spirits after death and in any subsequent lives (I believe that the preponderance of the evidence points towards the reality of reincarnation), there is no "punishment" per se. Instead I believe it becomes a spiritual lesson learned and something that happened for the overall path of the soul. But then I also don't believe that there are any "mistakes" or genuine "wrongs" from a spiritual perspective - only opportunities for the growth of our spirits.

I also agree with wrightghost....hell is here on earth.

I am interested in people's opinions about what happens after death to someone who commits suicide. Personally, I believe that God does not punish people who take their own lives due to mental illness. IMO, He forgives these people and restores them. My brother killed himself in 1983 (he was 27) and I just find it very difficult to believe that God would punish him. He was always a good person, he never hurt anyone and always tried to do his best. Unfortunately, he had schizophrenia and suffered greatly throughout his short life. He was very intelligent and kind which I believe were gifts from God. I feel that God knew what was in his heart and understood his despair. I have had people tell me that suicide is automatically a ticket to hell, no ifs, ands or buts. These same people say that "it says it right there in the Bible that if you take your own life, you will go to hell". I understand that this is a touchy subject but I would like to hear other's opinions if you feel comfortable discussing it. Thank you.

First of all, let me express my condolences at your loss. I'm terribly sorry to hear of how your brother suffered in his life. I am Catholic and we are taught that there is no sin which God cannot forgive, this includes suicide. God is greater and more loving than we can imagine. Just as we gather our children in our arms when they suffer, so too, I believe that God and the angels have gathered your brother in their arms and have comforted him. I hope that I can offer you some comfort too. Peace.