To begin with, from a Christian perspective, sewer slide is a sin as it is murdering oneself~ But even tho it may very well be the last thing a person does in their life, it is not described as an "unforgivable sin" that bars one from Heaven regardless of the possible impossibility of repenting of it~
From a Protestant perspective, one is saved by their faith in God, His sacrifice on the cross for our sins, and our doing our best to follow Him~ As such, we will trip, fall, and make mistakes (including perhaps, committing sewer slide)~ While we won't know who goes to Heaven for certain until we get there, people who commit sewer slide certainly aren't all doomed to Hell~ Those who have faith in God in spite of their struggles with sin will almost certainly go to Heaven as everyone struggles with it after all~ :)
I'm sure God understands that many times, it is the result of the despair, hopelessness, and pain one experiences in their life and things looking ever bleaker~ :)
I have nothing to back this up, but I plan on praying throughout the process of passing~ :)
I like
@Little_Suzy's explanation for Catholic beliefs on sewer slide the best personally~ "The Catechism states, "Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide." This qualification does not make suicide a right action in any circumstance; however, it does make us realize that the person may not be totally culpable for the action because of various circumstances or personal conditions.
We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives."
I would very much recommend reading Romans 3 or at least, Romans 3:19-28. Within Christianity, everyone has sinned and falls short of what God wants us to be: perfect. No one has been able to live fully up to God except Jesus Christ because He is God~ As such, we deserve destruction, for that is the punishment for sin. It may not feel very good, and it may even feel hateful~ The Christian God is not hateful tho~ In fact, God loved us so much that He sent his son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins, so that if we have faith in Him, we may get to be with Him in Heaven~ :) even when we are Christians, we are still sinners~ however, through the power of the Holy Spirit, God guides us to become better people and followers of Him~ we still will mess up and won't be perfecet, but we can repent and do our best not to sin, and God will accept us for what we are as long as we have faith in Him~ :)
very simply, the Gospel message is: sin->Jesus died for us->redemption. even tho being exposed to our own sins may be uncomfy, it is important to recognize how we may do better~ :)
In regards to that sermon you brought up, admittedly, I didn't read it, however, there are entire books of the Bible dedicated to sorrow such as Lamentations and Job, so even tho joy may be a fruit, one may also go through times of sorrow as many people do here too~ :)
hehe~ I hope you're able to talk to them and learn lots from them there! ^_^ you can always ask me or someone else who is Catholic here if you have questions too! :)
while I would recommend continuing to learn more about the Catholic faith and deepening it (this does not necessarily have to be before you first commune tho), according to Catholic Answers, no, you do not need to go to RCIA to receive first communion given that you were already baptized Catholic. :)
RCIA is a class for converts who have not been initiated into the Church. Fallen-away Catholics do not need RCIA to rejoin the Church. Click to read more.
www.catholic.com