Jayb

'I also believe that nature has a way of dealing with the unfit. One of those ways is suicide. '

I doubt whether my workmates (who shot himself for reasons I listed) mum would agree with your synopsis. However you are right to point out that the denial of the obvious (a Creator) leads many to your conclusion. It is very sick indeed to conclude that suicide is natural.

Some years ago I read a book about brain function, written by
Susan Greenfield, that well known neuroscientist. She mentioned
that repeated use of Extacy destroy/damage those parts of the brain
which manufacture/release serotonin.

I found that interesting, as a friend of mine who has done
surveys of prisoners wanting to commit suicide, found a direct
correlation between brain serotonin levels and suicide attempts.

So do those Ekky parties, so popular amongst teenagers, have
something to do with teen suicide levels?

Its possible, perhaps somebody here knows of any studies done.

Runner: It is very sick indeed to conclude that suicide is natural.

I didn't conclude that, Nature did.

I have sympathy for your workmates mum. Yes, we all feel a loss when someone dies. Whether it be from the natural cause of time or from the natural elimination of the unfit, for whatever reason nature chooses.

Runner: However you are right to point out that the denial of the obvious (a Creator) leads many to your conclusion.

I have never denied a Creator. I just happen to believe that that Creator is Nature. Pushing any "Dogma" is not nature & is therefore doomed by nature to fail in the long run.

Unfortunately it is a mixture of media and of society itself that is to blame; the portrayal and tremendous emphasis children are bombarded with of social cliques, physical appearance, cultural norms and who belongs to the mainstream and who is outcast to the fringes- and the general grumpy anti-social attitude at least half of society gives off would make the lives of those who don't quite fit in a very adverse and horrible place to live.
Basically welcome to nobody unless they give up who they are and be like somebody else? Not everyone can do that.

All of the lip-service about "diversity" and "embracing individuality" they read as the rubbish that it is- most people are quite intolerant to those who they perceive to not be like them.

It does correspond strongly to countries with a strong sense of collective conformity and stigma towards individual difference. Also corresponding to extreme social demands that are perceived to be expected of children in the outside world that they believe they cannot live up to.

It was probably Marylin Manson that summed up the situation best about the murder-suicide boys from the Columbine High School (who gunned down their classmates before killing themselves).

Until society changes, my suggestion is to help suicidal teens to simply learn of more options about their life and future, friendships with more accepting people (more than they would think), and to be able to carry their individuality in a way that could actually help them- and provide practical real examples so it doesn't rub off as "if you are really good, one day karma will reward you".

There IS a world they can embrace out there, and it is easy to reach- the problem is when you live in an oppressive local environment you just don't see it, or know how to get it.

Jayb

'I didn't conclude that, Nature did.;

I take it if you were to counsel someone considering topping themselves you would advise them to let nature to take its course? Then again you might not intervene in the course of nature? What if your child is being taken by a shark? Would you let ,nature. have his/her way? I am sure their are many grateful parents who have had friends, family and even chaplains who have talked some sense into someone depressed due to a boyfriend/girlfriend break up or some other cause.

Runner:I take it if you were to counsel someone considering topping themselves you would advise them to let nature to take its course?

I'd give them options. Such as, "Well she gets to live & you die, Who benifits there?" or, well if you consider it's the best course of action, but it's up to you. I don't care one way or the other. Some others might, like your mum but if you don't care about your mum or your friends. Go ahead." I wouldn't say,"don't do it."

Runner: Then again you might not intervene in the course of nature? What if your child is being taken by a shark? Would you let ,nature. have his/her way?

Different senario. Not suicide. I'd help anyone in trouble. & I'm not even a Christian Teleban.

Runner: I am sure their are many grateful parents who have had friends, family and even chaplains who have talked some sense into someone depressed due to a boyfriend/girlfriend break up or some other cause.

Therein lies the difference. It's in the, 'getting of wisdom.' If they don't, "stiff chedda." They didn't deserve to live. Same goes for thoes who jump into creeks without looking first, hooligans who crash their cars, etc. They remove themselves form the gene pool of life. Much to the betterment of mankind.