9/11 Jumpers - Eternal Life or Damnation?

[Palehorse]

So here's a thought for those of you who are inclined to take the Bible as the word of God. . .

9/11/2001 - As people working in the Twin Towers that day, especially the floors above the impact zones, came to grips with the reality of their situations a number of them chose to jump; in effect committing suicide.

The Bible and Christianity in all of its versions, teaches that confession of sin must be made prior to departure from the world to the next, and that suicide was the most fatal of all sins because the victim could not repent of it. Indeed, in some versions of Christianity, that confession must be heard by a man of the cloth or in the presence of a congregation.

We all know that the workers in those buildings came from all walks of life, and most certainly from every version of religion, or none, that currently exists on the planet.

So my question to you is this; Since they committed suicide are they damned to the fire pits of hell, or are they living eternally elsewhere?

[Locutus]

Being a heathen, I'll answer that question with simply what I posted in the 9/11 thread.  Some of the more religious won't agree with this, but this is what I said previously.

Taking one's own life is a hard thing for most of us to do, but when you're faced with a situation like that, and a choice presents itself, I guess each has to act in his own best interest, and with his own convictions.

That being said, given all that was obviously going on around them, I wonder if any had time for any forethought of the potential afterlife ramifications of their decision in light of their various religious beliefs. 

[The Troll]

  There is nothing to worry about these people who jumped.  Because there is no god, no heaven, no hell.  Just darkness and peace from the battle of living and the return to the Universe from where we came.

  For we are made of star dust from all of the super novas from the Big Bang, the start of time.   

[Anne]

Well, I don't know if sucicide is a mortal sin, although I believe most Catholic's believe it is. The God I believe in would not condemn a person to hell in those circumstances. I am with Locutus in that I doubt if they had time or presence of mind to consider the religious consequences of their actions.

[Palehorse]

But a sin is a sin, and a mortal sin automagically damns one's eternal spirit to hell. That is what the bible says. . .

[Henry Hawk]

Just MY opinion is that I don't think, in such a situations those who jumped as "selfishly" taking their own lives, but rather they were racting to a grave situation...full of panic and despair, perhaps believing at that moment that their chances of survival were better than the situation they wer facing. I"m no Bible scholar, nerver claimed to be.  But Johon 3:16 says it all, for me.

[The Troll]

Just MY opinion is that I don't think, in such a situations those who jumped as "selfishly" taking their own lives, but rather they were reacting to a grave situation...full of panic and despair, perhaps believing at that moment that their chances of survival were better than the situation they were facing. I"m no Bible scholar, never claimed to be.  But John 3:16 says it all, for me.

  I'll bet that Joan of Arc would have taken suicide over being tied to a stake and burned.  Also didn't the Jews commit suicide when the Roman Legions were going to take over Masada.     The Jewish people hold that as a great symbol.   

[Bo D]

Just MY opinion is that I don't think, in such a situations those who jumped as "selfishly" taking their own lives, but rather they were racting to a grave situation...full of panic and despair, perhaps believing at that moment that their chances of survival were better than the situation they wer facing. I"m no Bible scholar, nerver claimed to be.  But Johon 3:16 says it all, for me.

John 3:16

   begotten - (of offspring) generated by procreation; "naturally begotten child"
biological - of parents and children; related by blood; "biological child"

I have always had trouble with that verse. Who was God's wife?

[The Troll]

  Yeeep, those people of the bible knew everything.  About the Universe, germs, electricity, science and they wrote everything down.   

[Henry Hawk]

John 3:16

   begotten - (of offspring) generated by procreation; "naturally begotten child"
biological - of parents and children; related by blood; "biological child"

I have always had trouble with that verse. Who was God's wife?

Olias, I am only giving my 2 cents here, and not disputing your thoughts, because I am in no means, an authority on Bibilical questions, but you got me to do a little research and here is what I came up with...

"Begotten" is translated from the Greek word monogenes (mon-og-en-ace'), which means "single of its kind; only."

[Palehorse]

John 3:16
King James Version (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

"Only, Only" ???

Only begotten as opposed to other sons who were not begotten?

[Henry Hawk]

I don't think it is complicating........his ONLY BEGOTTEN SON.  period.  You can add more to it if you want, but why?

[Bo D]

Olias, I am only giving my 2 cents here, and not disputing your thoughts, because I am in no means, an authority on Bibilical questions, but you got me to do a little research and here is what I came up with...

"Begotten" is translated from the Greek word monogenes (mon-og-en-ace'), which means "single of its kind; only."

What about all those other "begat"'s in Genesis? Same word?

[Henry Hawk]

What about all those other "begat"'s in Genesis? Same word?

but GOD begat Jesus..His ONLY "begotten" SON....

[libby]

beget v. (begot, begotten, begetting) 1.to be the father of. 2. to give rise to, war begets misery and ruin.

-- Oxford American Dictionary, Heald Colleges Edition  (my favorite quick-reference, user friendly dictionary) (the kind you hold in your hands and thumb through)