On Thu, 6 Jun 1996, Caroline Ann Seawright wrote:

sliver of wood, etc.  One last thing; I thought it was less honorable to ask
someone to help one kill himself...  and if Ranma really really loved his
friends, he would do it himself.

No, it's not. Someone always had a 'second' who chopped the guy's head off
after he slits his stomach. This is so that he doesn't take forever to die.
Usually it would be the guy's mentor or someone close to him. In this case,

This another facet where Japanese culture differs from Western cultures,
and perhpas one of the things that attracts so many to anime.  The whole
concept of 'honour' differs. 

If someone from a western culture wants to do themselves in, it is usually
done out of shame, and they try to hide it from even their closest 
friends.  If they do ask their friends to help them kill themselves, it 
is regarded, not as a plea for assistance, but as a sign of a very 
disturbed mind, thus adding to the feeling of shame the individual 
already has.

The Japanese view it as doing an honourable favour by assisting a close 
one to depart from this plane, while the Western culture views it as a 
sign someone needs a therapist, and (sadly) a way to kick someone when 
they're already down.

If someone has made their choice to depart, that is *their* choice.  You 
can try to convince them otherwise, but leave their dignity intact.


Kergma.

( and the fact that assisting someone to die lays you open to murder in 
  most areas doesn't help anyone. )