Suicide

The news that at least a dozen fans of Michael Jackson committed suicide in the aftermath of his sudden death is shocking.  Why would these fans commit suicide?  What purpose would their death serve? 

The big message here is that we are often unaware that what celebrities do have an impact on people’s lives.  They endorse a product, and their fans buy that product.  And when a celebrity dies, as in the case of Michael Jackson, it is perhaps to be expected that some of his grieving fans chose to join him in death by committing suicide.

But for others, suicide seems to be the only option left for the problems they are facing.  Perhaps this is a reflection of their inability to handle such desperate and depressing feelings. The recent suicide at Funsionpolis may reflect this. The problems may be financial in nature, a failed relationship, loneliness, a messed up life, etc. Other suicides may be the result of impulsive acts.  The fans of Michael Jackson who committed suicide could well have done it on impulse. Then there are those who commit suicide due to mental or substance abuse (e.g. drugs).

There was a time when suicide is considered an heroic act. In ancient Rome, suicide is considered a courageous and honorable act of love undertaken to protect one’s family from financial ruin or disgrace.  Back in the days of the Samurai, suicide in the form of hari kiri (ritual suicide by disembowelment) was considered a courageous act of loyalty to one’s master.  This was later practised by the Japanese armed forces during war time, including a modified system called kamikaze practised by Japanese pilots.

But what about mass suicides?  In 1978, a Jonestown cult leader by the name of James Warren Jones led his members to a mass suicide in which more than 900 died.  Why did they do that?  Why obey a cult leader’s instructions to commit mass suicide? 

Then there is the politically motivated suicide by suicide bombers.  In 1991, Rajiv Gandhi was killed when a female suicide bomber exploded a bomb at close proximity to him. What motivated her to give her life to carry out a political (or terrorist) assassination?

At the end of it all, how is life valued?  Is it something valuable to be treasured?  Or something expendable that suicide is a way out of problems?  Life on earth is precious.  You have only one life.  Make it meaningful.  Make it count.  The life you have is not of your own making. Suicide is not the way out.

Earlier posts:  

Have You Been Thinking Of Your Own Death?
Fusionpolis Suicide
A Week To Remember