By Michael Pakaluk, The Catholic Thing - Nothing shows better how Christianity affects human consciousness than how I think about suicide – taking myself as a random member of Christendom – but likely you too.... From childhood, I have recoiled from it. How could I dare take my own life? I lack the authority to do so. Others have given so much: all those hours, sacrifices, and money, expended on clothing, feeding, safeguarding, and educating me. I represent an enormous investment by many others.