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Did Wrestler Chris Benoit' Condemn Himself To Hell

Lewis

Member
I watched this guy' all the time. But he condemned himself' to hell. Right or wrong' I would like to hear your comments. Because it is said that when you commit suicide' you go to hell.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (AP) -- Pro wrestler Chris Benoit strangled his wife, suffocated his 7-year-old son and placed a Bible next to their bodies before hanging himself with a weight-machine pulley, authorities said Tuesday.

Investigators found anabolic steroids in the house and want to know whether the muscle man nicknamed "The Canadian Crippler" was unhinged by the bodybuilding drugs, which can cause paranoia, depression and explosive outbursts known as "roid rage."

Authorities offered no motive for the killings, which were spread out over a weekend, and would not discuss Benoit's state of mind. No suicide note was found.

"In a community like this it's bizarre to have a murder-suicide, especially involving the death of a 7-year-old," District Attorney Scott Ballard said. "I don't think we'll every be able to wrap our minds around this."

The Montreal-born Benoit was one of the stars of the WWE wrestling circuit and was known for his wholesome family-man image. His wife, Nancy, was a wrestling stage manager who worked under the name "Woman." They married in 2000.

When he won the world heavyweight championship in 2004, Benoit (pronounced ben-WAH) hoisted the belt over his head and invited his wife and child into the ring to celebrate. Asked by the Calgary Sun that year to name his worst vice: Benoit replied: "Quality time with my family is a big vice. It's something I'll fight for and crave."

Despite those appearances, Nancy Benoit had filed for a divorce in 2003, saying the couple's three-year marriage was irrevocably broken and alleging "cruel treatment." She later dropped the complaint, as well as a request for a restraining order in which she charged that the 5-foot-10, 220-pound Benoit had threatened her and had broken furniture in their home.

In the divorce filing, she said Benoit made more than $500,000 a year as a professional wrestler and asked for permanent custody of Daniel and child support. In response, Benoit sought joint custody.

The bodies were found Monday afternoon in the house, off a gravel road in this suburb about 20 miles south of Atlanta.

Benoit's 43-year-old wife was killed Friday in an upstairs family room, her feet and wrists were bound and there was blood under her head, indicating a possible struggle, Ballard said. Daniel was probably killed late Saturday or early Sunday, the body found in his bed, the district attorney said.

Benoit, 40, apparently hanged himself several hours and as long as a day later, Ballard said. His body was found in a downstairs weight room, his body found hanging from the pulley of a piece of exercise equipment.

A closed Bible was placed next to the bodies of the wife and son, authorities said.
The prosecutor said he found it "bizarre" that the wrestler spread out the killings over a weekend and appeared to remain in the house for up to a day with the bodies.

Toxicology test results may not be available for weeks or even months, Ballard said. As for whether steroids played a role in the crime, he said: "We don't know yet. That's one of the things we'll be looking at."

Steroids have been linked to the deaths of several professional wrestlers in recent years. Eddie Guerrero, one of Benoit's best friends, died in 2005 from heart failure linked to long-term steroid use.

The father of Curt "Mr. Perfect" Hennig blamed steroids and painkillers for Hennig's drug overdose death in 2003. Davey Boy Smith, the "British Bulldog," died in 2002 from heart failure that a coroner said was probably caused by steroids.

Benoit was a quiet, roughhewn figure amid the glitz and bluster of pro wrestling. He performed under his real name, eschewed scripted personas and didn't bother to fix a gap where he had lost one of his front teeth. (According to the WWE Web site, he lost the tooth while roughhousing with his pet Rottweiler.)

His signature move was the "Crippler Crossface," in which he would lock his hands around an opponent's face and stretch his neck.

He met his wife in the 1990s when she was married to rival wrestler Kevin Sullivan. As part of the scripted rivalry, Benoit and Nancy were supposed to act as if they were having an affair. A real romance blossomed, and she left Sullivan for Benoit.

Neighbors said the Benoits led a low-key lifestyle.

"We would see Chris walking in his yard from time to time. He wasn't rude, but he wasn't really outwardly warm," said Alaina Jones, who lives across the street.

Jimmy Baswell, who was Benoit's driver for more than five years, placed a white wreath at their gate. "They always seemed like they were the happiest people," he said.

World Wrestling Entertainment said on its Web site that it asked authorities to check on Benoit and his family after being alerted by friends who had received "several curious text messages sent by Benoit early Sunday morning."

"He was like a family member to me, and everyone in my family is taking it real hard," said fellow Canadian Bret Hart, a five-time champion.

The WWE canceled its live "Monday Night RAW" card in Corpus Christi, Texas, after the bodies were discovered.

Monday's show was supposed to be a memorial service for WWE owner Vince McMahon. In a storyline concocted by the WWE, McMahon was supposedly "assassinated" in a limousine explosion two weeks earlier. McMahon appeared at the beginning of Monday's telecast and acknowledged the bombing was made up.

The McMahon storyline has been dropped.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/m ... .ap/1.html
 
You know something, I don't even try to guess in situations like this. Same with people that have mental illnesses.

We can speculate, but only God knows. ONLY GOD.
 
Well Nikki' the reason why that is said' is because if you kill yourself, you cannot ask for forgiveness. Now if you kill somebody you can. A member of my church 2 years ago killed his wife and 2 kids' now he had mental problems. And a lot of times the devil and or his demons causes mental problems. And his wife was one of my choir members' I was very mad at Mike for doing this. And we had to do all of their funerals.It was hard. Now Mike developed mental problems' when he got paralyzed and put in a wheel chair. And he could not be what he used to be. And he got very jealous of his wife and he became abusive' and she left him. Now when you kill yourself' that is still murder and you cannot ask God to forgive you. Now what about when a supposed to be saved person' like Mike of my church does it ?
 
The only way that anyone will be condemned to hell is if they are not born again.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3:16-21
 
I agree with Michael...''IF'' he was born again and committed suicide then he would not be condemned to hell....
 
Lewis W said:
Well Nikki' the reason why that is said' is because if you kill yourself, you cannot ask for forgiveness. Now if you kill somebody you can. A member of my church 2 years ago killed his wife and 2 kids' now he had mental problems. And a lot of times the devil and or his demons causes mental problems. And his wife was one of my choir members' I was very mad at Mike for doing this. And we had to do all of their funerals.It was hard. Now Mike developed mental problems' when he got paralyzed and put in a wheel chair. And he could not be what he used to be. And he got very jealous of his wife and he became abusive' and she left him. Now when you kill yourself' that is still murder and you cannot ask God to forgive you. Now what about when a supposed to be saved person' like Mike of my church does it ?

Lewis - what you are suggesting is that ANYONE will go to hell if they have but one sin that they did not ask forgiveness for.

Where is this taught in Scripture?
 
Hi Lewis,

Our family too, was hit by this tragic news. While we stopped watching WWE awhile back as the Divas were a little beyond the line for our family viewing, we enjoyed Benoit a lot. He seemed like a likeable guy.

I don't hold with the idea that suicides are automatically going to hell. I can find only one 'unforgivable sin.' 'Smatter of fact, instead of me saying it, let's just read what our Lord said:

Matthew 12:30 (Jesus speaking)

"Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. And whoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in the age to come."

While there is some question as to what exactly constitutes blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, I think it's pretty clear that it's not suicide.

While we cannot know what Benoit's spiritual state was, I'm in agreement with the others here who say that if he was born-again, he will not be condemned. The fact that he placed bibles by the bodies of his wife and child seems to indicate that he had some kind of spiritual connection.

In a way, I'm almost hoping to find that he abused steroids, for if he did, it would go a long way towards explaining this horrible event. I worked with a guy who started juicing. His whole demeanor changed and by the time he stopped his wife left him, taking their unborn baby son with her. It was sad, but it helped me understand just how bad the steroids are. I know a lot of professional atheletes feel pressure to use them.

At any rate, Christianity is all about HOPE. And our hope isn't just the "I-hope-I-get-what-I-want-for-my-birthday" variety. Our hope is built on nothing less than Christ's everlasting and faithful love for us. The love that prompted him, while we were yet sinners, to die for us. And that is something to remember, while Benoit, me, you, Mike, the man who was in your church; while we all were in the sinful state, that is when Christ died for us.

Here is another passage that I find helpful when dealing with these really tough issues:

Romans 7:21-8:2 (Paul writing)

I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wishes to to good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.
 
Well' I know that if you are not saved' you are going to hell' anyway. And with murder and suicide up under your belt' you are in trouble. And also when you kill yourself' it is still murder.
 
handy said:
In a way, I'm almost hoping to find that he abused steroids, for if he did, it would go a long way towards explaining this horrible event. I worked with a guy who started juicing. His whole demeanor changed and by the time he stopped his wife left him, taking their unborn baby son with her. It was sad, but it helped me understand just how bad the steroids are. I know a lot of professional atheletes feel pressure to use them.

It is sad that our society encourages and supports an industry of "etertainment" that resembles that of the Roman Collosium.

In an news story about his death - fans were shown saying that they do not care if the wrestlers take steriods, just as long as they (the fans) are entertained.

That is what is truly sad.
 
aLoneVoice,

Yes, it's a real indictment of our society, what we are seeking out and accepting as entertainment. There is so much money involved in sports and 'sports entertainment' as pro wrestling calls itself, that the owners and managers do put pressure on the athletes to juice up, all the while saying to the public with a wink and a nudge, that they condemn the use of steroids. But as long as people clamor after the sports and put guys like Sosa and Giambi or Lashley and Baptista on pedestals, it will continue. Very sad.

Lewis,

Yes, suicide is murder. And, it's likely that anyone who commits murder isn't renewed by the Spirit. Likely, but not always. If there is one thing that I've found as I've moseyed along in this life is that just about anything is possible. Especially if one puts drug use into the mix. Which is why I try not to second guess that anyone has 'condemned themselves to hell' with such actions. If someone is obviously not born-again, they are condemned already. If they are born-again, but still still struggling with the flesh, they nonetheless will be saved. I simply do not find as Biblical the idea that we need to confess and repent from each and every sin we commit after our renewal in order to be saved. Where is the grace in that?
 
handy said:
Lewis,

Yes, suicide is murder. And, it's likely that anyone who commits murder isn't renewed by the Spirit. Likely, but not always. If there is one thing that I've found as I've moseyed along in this life is that just about anything is possible. Especially if one puts drug use into the mix. Which is why I try not to second guess that anyone has 'condemned themselves to hell' with such actions. If someone is obviously not born-again, they are condemned already. If they are born-again, but still still struggling with the flesh, they nonetheless will be saved. I simply do not find as Biblical the idea that we need to confess and repent from each and every sin we commit after our renewal in order to be saved. Where is the grace in that?

Amen
 
handy said:
aLoneVoice,

Yes, it's a real indictment of our society, what we are seeking out and accepting as entertainment. There is so much money involved in sports and 'sports entertainment' as pro wrestling calls itself, that the owners and managers do put pressure on the athletes to juice up, all the while saying to the public with a wink and a nudge, that they condemn the use of steroids. But as long as people clamor after the sports and put guys like Sosa and Giambi or Lashley and Baptista on pedestals, it will continue. Very sad.

Lewis,

Yes, suicide is murder. And, it's likely that anyone who commits murder isn't renewed by the Spirit. Likely, but not always. If there is one thing that I've found as I've moseyed along in this life is that just about anything is possible. Especially if one puts drug use into the mix. Which is why I try not to second guess that anyone has 'condemned themselves to hell' with such actions. If someone is obviously not born-again, they are condemned already. If they are born-again, but still still struggling with the flesh, they nonetheless will be saved. I simply do not find as Biblical the idea that we need to confess and repent from each and every sin we commit after our renewal in order to be saved. Where is the grace in that?
And Amen again.
 
Lewis W said:
Well Nikki' the reason why that is said' is because if you kill yourself, you cannot ask for forgiveness. Now if you kill somebody you can. A member of my church 2 years ago killed his wife and 2 kids' now he had mental problems. And a lot of times the devil and or his demons causes mental problems. And his wife was one of my choir members' I was very mad at Mike for doing this. And we had to do all of their funerals.It was hard. Now Mike developed mental problems' when he got paralyzed and put in a wheel chair. And he could not be what he used to be. And he got very jealous of his wife and he became abusive' and she left him. Now when you kill yourself' that is still murder and you cannot ask God to forgive you. Now what about when a supposed to be saved person' like Mike of my church does it ?

I don't fully agree with your beliefs.

What about the teen that killed himself and they discovered he did it due to a side effect of a medication? That wasn't that long ago that that happened. I'll try to look for a link.

What about the person that has such a mental illness that they don't KNOW to ask for forgiveness. Their mental illness is severe. I've just seen many mentally ill people and I've also seen the dangerous side effects that medications can cause (heck, I was on one once that made me hallucinate for weeks when I tried to wean off it).
 
jgredline said:
I agree with Michael...''IF'' he was born again and committed suicide then he would not be condemned to hell....
"Born again" must have as broad a meaning as the term "christian" these days. :-?
 
jgredline said:
I agree with Michael...''IF'' he was born again and committed suicide then he would not be condemned to hell....
Yes I believe that also; Do you all remember Saul, well his death was apparently suicide. I know many believe that a Christian who is honestly born again cannot commit suicide. However, this raises the question, was Saul saved? No matter his spiritual condition, it is possible for a born again Christian to commit suicide. A Christian can become so depressed, feeling like he has nothing to live for, that he/she takes his own life. Other Christians under physical distress or heavy sedation can also take their lives. I think that the Loved one of a Christian who has committed suicide should not be discouraged, thinking that their Loved one did not go into the presence of God. Nothing a Christian can do in this life will take away his/her relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember, the Bible says, "The blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanses us from all sin" (1 john 1:7) that means the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from the sin of suicide.
 
sisterchristian said:
Yes I believe that also; Do you all remember Saul, well his death was apparently suicide. I know many believe that a Christian who is honestly born again cannot commit suicide. However, this raises the question, was Saul saved? No matter his spiritual condition, it is possible for a born again Christian to commit suicide. A Christian can become so depressed, feeling like he has nothing to live for, that he/she takes his own life. Other Christians under physical distress or heavy sedation can also take their lives. I think that the Loved one of a Christian who has committed suicide should not be discouraged, thinking that their Loved one did not go into the presence of God. Nothing a Christian can do in this life will take away his/her relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember, the Bible says, "The blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanses us from all sin" (1 john 1:7) that means the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from the sin of suicide.

Amen...I wrote an entire article for this site someplace and you summed it up perfectly.. :)
 
I think we could probably all agree that a person who is capable of slaughtering his wife and child probably lacks in the area of Fruits of the Spirit.

I don't know this mans heart before God and I certainly am glad that I am not the one who has to judge but we are left with knowing him by his fruits.
 
OK, Lets put this a different way....Take the most Godliest person you know..The person who has produced the most fruit and has done the most for the kingdom of God...A person who has been a great influence not only in your Life and the life of others....A person who exhibited the all the fruit of the spirit...A person who you know is born again....

Now suppose this person one day has a stroke, car accident, was prescribed bad medication, etc...Now suppose this person ended up not being ''all there''...
That this person was now mentally incapacitated....

Suppose this person one day Lost it and in a rage killed his familiy and himself...
Would this Person be condemned to hell???????
Did this person loose his salvation?????
 
Nikki said:
I don't fully agree with your beliefs.

What about the teen that killed himself and they discovered he did it due to a side effect of a medication? That wasn't that long ago that that happened. I'll try to look for a link.

What about the person that has such a mental illness that they don't KNOW to ask for forgiveness. Their mental illness is severe. I've just seen many mentally ill people and I've also seen the dangerous side effects that medications can cause (heck, I was on one once that made me hallucinate for weeks when I tried to wean off it).
Nikki please explain what you are talking about. What part or my statement are you talking about ?
 
Nikki said:
You know something, I don't even try to guess in situations like this. Same with people that have mental illnesses.

We can speculate, but only God knows. ONLY GOD.

Most of America can be diagnosed as having some sort of mental disorder, from what I've heard.
 
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