Citation

Gerjolj S. Bogosl. Vestn. 2013; 73(3): 357-365.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Faculty of Theology, University of Ljubljana)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Already in the Old Testament, the Bible cites examples of suicides, which are sometimes indirectly and sometimes also directly interwoven with genocidal dimensions. The Bible also contains examples of martyrdom, which are not seen as "suicides" by the Biblical and Christian tradition, although the martyr himself freely chooses death. Two important characteristics of modern "Western" civilization are an existential vacuum and insecure relationships within families as well as within the broader social context, which push many a person into a hopeless situation where he sees suicide as the only "solution". In this context Moses can be seen as an encouraging biblical and pedagogic figure since he comes from difficult familial and social circumstances, and yet, through his communication with God and by finding the meaning of his life in living for others, he lives a fulfilled life to the end and, as an integrated person, dies a natural death while looking upon the Promised Land. The story of Moses thus challenges the leaders in society to encourage lasting values and to foster the formation of relationships, such that people would, in spite of complicated circumstances, yearn for life and "feel" its meaning until the natural end of earthly existence.

Language: sk

Keywords

Education; Suicide; Relationships; Meaning; Bible; Values; Existential vacuum; Moses