Suicide rates higher in Protestant nations than Catholic ones

(March 15, 2012) A study conducted by researchers at the University of Warwick in England found that the suicide rate is 74% higher in nations where 85% or more of the population is Protestant than in nations where 85% or more of the population is Catholic. “Even today, countries that are majority Protestant tend to have substantially higher suicide rate than those which are majority Catholic, suggesting that the relation of religion and suicide remains a vital topic,” said researcher Sascha Becker. “When life hits hard, a Catholic can rely on a stronger community which might help him to cope,” Becker added. In addition, “Protestantism stresses the importance of God’s grace alone and not by any merit of man’s own work, whereas Catholicism allows for God's judgment to be affected by man’s deeds and sins. As a consequence, committing suicide entails the prospect of foregoing paradise for Catholics but not for Protestants,” said Becker.