Is Suicide a Sin?

"Amid the sufferings of life on earth, suicide is God's best gift to man." Such was written within the first published encyclopedia, Natural History, by Gaius Plinius Secundus in AD 77 (Smithsonian 1). Clearly, suicide has intrigued many throughout the history of the human race. It has been and continues to be one of the most disputed topics within the philosophical and religious studies. For example, the question as to whether or not suicide is a sin has caused much-heated debate between those of the Catholic faith, as well as clergy. The Bible is essentially the law for the religion, and yet it is so incredibly ambiguous that it leads to many interpretations. Not only can this argument over the deceased's fate be found in real life, but it is also a frequent topic in literature. My Antonia by Willa Cather devoted a lot of time on the subject, revolving around the patriarch of a Bohemian household, Mr. Shimerda (Cather). His suicide and his reasons for killing himself are also equivoc...