Yes I was looking for debate. Ok let’s start with #2. So, most humans need purpose. So, why do you think the suicide rate is so high?

I will agree that individually people need purpose (as defined by the individual) but needing a god or god figure is not at all necessary in order to have a sense of purpose.

Suicide has absolutely nothing to do with having a sense of purpose. Suicide is a result of depression or mental illness. No amount of purpose is going to cure depression or mental illness. Do you think that Robin Williams or Anthony Bourdain or Kurt Cobain had no purpose despite being world-famous celebrities? Suicide rate is high because mental illness is not well diagnosed or treated and there is often a stigma with mental illness as well as other reasons.

@Charles1971
Robin Williams had a dementia disease and chose to go before he became incapacitated. I personally am convinced cobra in was murdered (but another debate).
SO>>> people did not kill them selves near as often 30 years ago. This spike is recent. So, genetic predisposition could not be that different now. Why the spike? All of a sudden?

@SocialDarwin Those three people were just examples that came to mind. I would think that there are a great many factors that have caused the suicide rate to increase (though not as dramatically as you imply). But religion or belief in deities is not likely a significant factor. Do you have any data to back up your hypothesis that religion/believe in deities has any impact on suicide rates?

And, hypothetically, even if you are correct... so what? Being alive but horribly miserable, suffering, or in pain (mental or physical) is not necessarily an improvement over being dead. Instead of religion and gods people need healthcare, counseling, and therapy... which is something not available or affordable by many people. Real solutions are always better than bullshit religion.