Goa couple suicide: Charles Darwin's effect

Goa Police suspect the couple-Anand, 39 and Deepa Ranthidevan, 36 professionals committed suicide on 3 October 2011. Their suicide note read: "We have lived a very eventful and happy life together. We've travelled the world, lived in different countries, made more money than we ever thought possible, and enjoyed spending as much of it as we could on things that brought us joy and satisfaction. We believe in the philosophy that our life belongs to us and only us, and we have the right to choose to die as much as we have the right to live." They have kept Rs. 10000 cash for the cremation and listed the assets they own and have no liabilities or loans.

The news was one among many news items that is published in newspapers daily. However, this couple seem to be well educated, earning tons of money, had great experience of visiting several countries and lived happily. They claim to have joyful and satisfactory life. Then why did they commit suicide? It was not frustration or pain or struggle or loneliness or financial crisis, but a flawed worldview of life. They believed in a philosophy that their life belonged to them alone and they have the right to choose death or life. Sadly, their philosophy is derived from their understanding of a theory in science known as the Theory of Evolution. Though having only a status as theory, is taught in all schools and colleges as fact or scientific truth.

No creator
Charles Darwin rejects God as creator and claims the origin of all species is by progressive incremental evolution. Human beings were not created as unique and special of all creation in the image of God. The Genesis 1:27 account of creation of human beings is rejected. Instead, the theory postulates that human being evolved from an ape or some other sub-human being. When there is no creator for human beings, human beings have freedom to create their own god. Unfortunately, for this couple they became god for themselves. When they refused to have God in the highest pedestal; they ended up keeping themselves in that place.

Their purpose in life was to please themselves, enjoy life, experience novelty by visiting many countries and earn more money than they needed. Life without God becomes meaningless, mundane and routine even though what the world yearns is available in plenty and variety. Though they claimed satisfaction, the suicide was an act of frustration that was in their minds and hearts. Loss of jest for living is direct result of living without God.

No accountability
The couple also claimed that they have the right to choose life or death. The right was not bestowed or given as gift; but inherent as human beings. So, they become their own arbitrator and judge of their own lives. Since, they assumed that there was no creator; they were not also accountable to any person. That means, they assumed that they were accountable to themselves and need not respond to anyone else. Without creator, there need not be a law-giver. Therefore, there are no moral values or absolute truths. There are no Ten Commandments or life guiding statutes or principles. Each person can choose his/her own moral standards. What is right for one person could be evil for another person. Objective moral standards become subjective standards which is a wide range. In fact, all choices are valid, correct, legal and right.

According to the couple's philosophy there is no giver of life, so they are not accountable to somebody beyond them. Hence, they could do what they like to do. Their own preferences are superior and best for them. So, for them taking life is not a sin as there is no law or judge according to their worldview.

No relationship
The couple who committed suicide have individualism as their creed. Hence, they consider that they are not obliged to any person or to the society. Today's educated people prefer to be independent and not dependent or inter-dependent. They like to create their own islands or domains in their own imaginations and rule over them. The young couple who committed suicide in Goa secluded themselves; isolated from the society and were alienated from all around them. This alienation also made them alienated from God.

According to Charles Darwin, it is 'survival of the fittest'. The weak and vulnerable do not have rights or even reasons to exist. The relationship between one another is of domination, which could be oppression. So, Relationships are abusive, manipulative and exploitative. For the couple who committed suicide there could not be meaningful, healthy, mutually beneficial relationship. Hence, they shunned away from the people around them.

Interestingly, it seems the couple did not have children. May be they are the newer generation that are called DINK (Double Income No Kids). The professionals, who are obsessed with their career, prefer not to have kids. Family is sacrificed in the name of Personal Progress. They do not like to be in committed relationship with anyone including kids. In normal family life, kids provide meaning for life and for future. As sophisticated young professionals, they opted not to have kids, hence had not hope or meaning in future.

Challenge
We are seeing the new generation in India embracing Postmodern philosophy, which has 'Theory of Evolution' as one of its foundations. The mind shaped by such worldly philosophies becomes darkened and is warped. Hence, their decisions are blunders, foolish and worthless. The Church has to help each and every disciples to be transformed by the renewal of their minds (Romans 12:2) by the Word of God. Or else they would become conformed to the world philosophies that leads to derision and death.