Split: Catholicism, suicide etc.

[Trog]

I'll be dead honest with you, if I were a Catholic I'd be scared out of my wits that I'd be stuck in Purgatory, and not go to heaven. At least Protestant faith has that assurance of salvation, which is probably why they seem happier people in general. But as I've said, I'm not religious.

It is scary, but at least you know that if you make it to Purgatory, you've made it. Though Purgatory is not supposedly a pleasant place, it's been described as having several levels too. And yes, there is evidence of people who have died appearing to others and requesting prayers and describing their torture. There's even a small Chapel in Rome that has certain things that have been left behind by souls who have passed through there.

But anyway, I know you'll be dismissive of this.

But you're wrong about Protestants being "happier". Are you serious? Danes in comparison to the Irish or the Spanish?

[Loki]

There's even a small Chapel in Rome that has certain things that have been left behind by souls who have passed through there.

That is interesting.

But you're wrong about Protestants being "happier". Are you serious? Danes in comparison to the Irish or the Spanish?

Not really talking on a national level here, but about church-going religious people.

[Eldritch]

But you're wrong about Protestants being "happier". Are you serious? Danes in comparison to the Irish or the Spanish?

Actually in every global "happiness" ranking I remember seeing, Denmark (unlike Spain or Ireland) has been in the top 10.

[Arbonit]

Though Purgatory is not supposedly a pleasant place, it's been described as having several levels too. And yes, there is evidence of people who have died appearing to others and requesting prayers and describing their torture.

[Pallantides]

But you're wrong about Protestants being "happier". Are you serious? Danes in comparison to the Irish or the Spanish?

Denmark: The Happiest Place on Earth
Why Danes Are the World's Happiest People

[Trog]

Denmark: The Happiest Place on Earth
Why Danes Are the World's Happiest People

I could find links that say places like China are the happiest places in the world, but it's people we're talking about. Nordic countries have some of the highest suicide rates in Western Europe.


Denmark is the world's happiest country

Benjamin Holst, a Danish journalist, said that Denmark's high suicide rate - the second worst in Europe - and a recent rise in xenophobia should make people question just how content Danes were.

"I'm not sure about these studies and I really wonder about the suicide rates in Denmark," he said. "I mean is it that we're so happy we kill ourselves? I really wonder about that."

[Eldritch]

Nordic countries have some of the highest suicide rates in Western Europe.

That link is about the declining suicide rates in Denmark though, not about the high suicide rates in the Nordic countries.

Another noteworthy thing is that in Catholic countries suicide is heavily stigmatised, and therefore many suicides are entered into statistics as accidents.

EDIT:

Also, being in control of one's own life is an essential requisite of happiness, including the power to end one's life when one sees fit, without legal or ideological constraints -- or religious ones.

I am quite happy, but the idea of not being able to end my own life if and when the time comes fills me with dread. Human life is valuable, but there is nothing "holy" about it, and that includes my own life.

[Pallantides]

I could find links that say places like China are the happiest places in the world, but it's people we're talking about. Nordic countries have some of the highest suicide rates in Western Europe

Belgium, France, US, Switzerland, Ireland and Canada all have higher suicide rates than Denmark.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...y_suicide_rate

[safinator]

Belgium, France, US, Switzerland, Ireland and Canada all have higher suicide rates than Denmark.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...y_suicide_rate

The poorest countries the most happiest ones.

[Trog]

That link is about the declining suicide rates in Denmark though, not about the high suicide rates in the Nordic countries.

You need to read it all the way.

Another noteworthy thing is that in Catholic countries suicide is heavily stigmatised, and therefore many suicides are entered into statistics as accidents.

I agree that Catholicism forbids suicide, it is a mortal sin and risks losing one's soul. I doubt that the statistics are being altered.

Still doesn't make any difference to the fact that suicide it a prominent problem for Scandinavian countries, supposedly the most "happy" people.