Suicide is defined as “the action of intentionally killing oneself”. (Oxford Dictionary, 2014). In this essay I will explore the debate whether suicide is right or wrong by considering both ethical and religious perspectives. Ethical considerations around suicide continue to be debated around the world due to the complex factors involved and the sensitivity of the topic. An absolutist position on the issue is taken largely by the law and those with strong religious and moral beliefs, while relativists take age, background, and social and mental health into account. Suicide has been considered murder, a crime against God, and a crime against the crown in several past legal systems. Nowadays, suicide and attempted suicide continue to be illegal in many countries. As the ethical debate continues, offering psychological support is becoming the main priority over punishment, yet suicide continues to be considered immoral in the eyes of ethical absolutists. An example of the impact of this strong moral viewpoint on society is the UK's Suicide Act of 1961. This act decriminalized suicide, but was only implemented 53 years ago, which shows how traditionalism has continued to block social growth even in the 20th century. (UK Legislation, 2014). An example of a country that still criminalizes suicide is Singapore, where suicide is one of the top ten causes of death. (Aware Singapore, 2014) In Singapore, attempting suicide is a crime under Section 309 of the Penal Code. (Singapore Legal Advice, 2014) In theory, the law would ensure that order is maintained and encourage citizens to seek help rather than attempt suicide. However, statistics only show an increase in the number of Singaporeans... middle of paper... solidarity helps avoid loneliness, helplessness and alienation that often lead to suicide. (PBS, 2014) The topic of suicide continues to be difficult to discuss due to the variety of perspectives on the issue. The law and individuals with strong moral beliefs continue to take an absolutist approach, while relativists must take an innumerable number of factors into consideration. Religious perspectives vary and continue to be open to interpretation. People choose to commit suicide for a wide range of reasons, and even the consideration alone can indicate that they are experiencing difficulties in their life. They should be offered psychological and social support as well as protection, but the shameful stigma surrounding the issue should be eradicated in order to minimize guilt and lead to greater health transparency and a safer environment around the world..