Pilgrim's Pint Pub Theology Night

The Moral Weight of Being
When Life Becomes a Burden Instead of a Gift
-
Dr. Karen Mason
Professor of Psychology, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

In 2022, more than 13 million Americans seriously considered suicide. At nearly 50,000 deaths annualy, suicide is one of the leading causes of death for young people. Yet buried within the data is a quiet yet clear revelation: those who attend religious services regularly are significantly less likely to attempt or die by suicide. 

While suffering exists in many forms, no matter the context, religious communities hold a firm conviction that pain is not without purpose, grief is not final, and life is worth the living. More than a positive thought during difficult times, this 'theology of suffering' is essential to understanding oneself. In a culture that is hesitant to speak in moral terms, could a stance that values life despite suffering be a moral good for those in suicidal crisis and despair?  Perhaps a robust theology of suffering is needed now more than ever to provide hope for those living through despair. As Soren Kierkegaard wrote, “What we call despair is often only the painful eagerness of unfed hope.” 

Join us on Monday, March 16 as Dr. Karen Mason shares her work on the nature of suicide and urges a reorientation of our cultural understanding towards suffering.