Being a non-churchgoer with zero suicidal tendencies, I’m incredulous about fascinated by a recent study that indicates black people would commit suicide more if it weren’t for the church.
Calvin White, another professor at Arkansas, points to such leaders as the Revs. Martin Luther King Jr., Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, who have a major influence on Black society.
“It’s no coincidence,” White said, “that these men are all ministers and the position of the church as a leader, although perhaps declining slightly, is still huge among Blacks.”
The suicide rate for White Americans is about three times that of their African American counterparts. Part of that is due to the fact that the Black experience is rooted in overcoming obstacles, he said.
There are probably many cultural reasons why suicide is not as prevalent among blacks, and one of them could very well be the influence of the church. But I think that has to be very hard thing to measure and prove in an academic study. Also, why doesn’t the church keep us from murdering each other?
I need to check the funding for this research. If Bishop TD Jakes was behind it, I know what’s up.
[BET]
Well, other countries that are less religious (UK, Italy) have lower suicide rates. I’ll attribute that to sufficient mental health resources.
It’s a leading cause of death in black females, 10-24 though unfortunately, it doesn’t beat out cancer, homicide, heart disease and pregnancy complications (wtf?).
I haven’t met another Black person yet, who doesn’t have God in their life. I’ve been sleepin’ on the church front (I haven’t been to church in about three years) but I always read my Bible and say my prayers. If God can’t guide me through my trials and tribulations, when I am leading myself through them, who else can? Peace to the Most High.
Isn’t suicide the one unforgivable sin? That’s what I recall being taught in Sunday school and church. Maybe that’s why. Murder, etc. can be forgiven, but not taking your own life. The last sentance of the quote is also a factor.
Yes, but eternal damnation doesn’t seem so bad if you’re incredibly depressed. I say that from experience. After having been there, being only a bit down all the time thanks to medication is good enough for me.
When I was in junior high school a paraplegic came to talk to us about suicide b/c it was a pretty in vogue thing to do with the wacky YT kids. Apparently this paraplegic survived throwing himself off the Golden Gate Bridge. I will never forget something he said, “as soon as I let go of the railing, I wanted to live.”
There’s nothing that will cure depression like a botched suicide attempt. I have a good friend who took a shitload of pills once, and she said something similar. As soon as she swallowed the last batch she suddenly changed her mind. I think there are LOTS of people who are depressed, but find that they are not as depressed as they think they are when they are falling off a bridge or waiting for pills to work.
Hmm. Well, it seems like that effect may not last because people who try once are significantly more likely to try again and succeed. For me, it was definitely at the point where you don’t think about the future or even buy anything you don’t use. The saving grace was that I couldn’t figure out what would look like an accident. Then I switched doctors and things have never been that bad since.
Having done the analysis in the past, jumping off a bridge is a bad way to kill yourself.
“Martin Luther King Jr., Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, who have a major influence on Black society.”
Did anyone else read this? I just gagged a little. To even mention the other two in the same sentence as MLK is awful.
Jesse and Al have a major influence. Hey, the quote didn’t say positive influence.
actually the unpardonable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. i don’t know about suicide.