Seeker

I was under the impression that God would know your intentions... he can read your heart, yes? So I would agree that it is more about the intentions and not the act.

Therefore, if you murder because you like it, or you have no compassion or respect for life... yep, you go to hell (absence of God in the after-life in this scenario). Self-defence would have an 'Oh my, I really didn't want to do that... what a shame... whatever. Basic intention here is quite different for each position.

My brother too committed suicide... and I still struggle with the after-life/suicide deal. I logically like to think that if you have the capacity to take your life, then you are sick and therefore not held accountable. But, if God reads intentions then I could be sadly disappointed...

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To those who wander but who are not lost...

~ Knowledge is not something you acquire, it is something you open yourself to.