I can't stop thinking about Gene.. I wish I could've been there with him. Just to talk to him. Maybe change his mind. I don't even know him, but his death hurts me the most. I wish I could've told him about the many people who loved him and would miss him. R.I.P Gene.
It really seems everyone is black and white here. Either he was a coward for taking his life, or he was brave for taking his life.
The absolute fact of the matter is he was mentally ill. Whether or not he would have ended his life is unknown, but if he would have had treatment things might have been different. No living creature actively seeks to end it's own life. Suicide is completely unnatural yet totally human...odd, isn't it?
It seems Gene was loved by a lot of people,so there was no way of stopping him doing as he wished .To his family and friends ,you have good memories of Gene and i wish you all long and fruitful,happy lives
Gene Sprague, I miss you every day of my life. Im filled with so many feelings, Im sad, Im pissed off at you, I miss you, All of the Rossi Family misses you. You left me alone that day.... After you had scribbled "END ME" on the street in front of my house. I was only 9 years old when you left me. You walked out the door, four bucks in your pocket, and you never came back to play with me. To everyone who reads this, Gene was an amazing man. RIP GENE SPRAGUE. Feel free to mess age me with questns
Some people just can't handle living. They haven't been given the tools to handle the hard times in life. We all have hard times, some worse than others. But we're all different. Some people can survive more crap than most people could even imagine, and some... Well just a few things might push them over the edge. I do not think these people are cowards. I do not bealive god will punish them. I think that they did what they felt they had to do. And hopefully, a better life awaited them.
There's a Facebook group in remembrance of Gene. According to many people in the group, the film does a very poor job of representing what his actual personality was like. Sure, he talked/joked about suicide a lot and had some struggles with depression (like most of us at times) but he wasn't "all doom and gloom 24/7" as one of his friends worded it. Gene was a talented artist, had a good sense of humor, was fun to be around, and had a lot of friends.
The filmmakers spoke to people who seemed to know him pretty well. There is no stigma involved here, the guy was depressed. He has not been portrayed in a poor light. From what his close friends said Gene was a good guy. I feel sorry for him.
I had developed an odd obsession with Gene Sprague and suicide via the Golden Gate Bridge. I have made a video of my experience here: watch?v=d5YxYLKrrK8
gene sprauge was a family friend of mine. he was at our hose sleeping on my couch on this day even. he even HUGGED me on this day even. im only 15 and i deal with suicidal struggles... my parents matthew and jennifer rossi are in this and we all have his jacket. rest in peace gene. we love you.
@dopeusername29 So those two from the documentary are your parents? I watched The bridge one week ago and I can´t stop thinking about this Gene person. It´s weird I didn´t even know him. What was he like as a person? I hope he´s at peace now..
@dopeusername29 thanks for sharing, I'm sure this affected you deeply...if you are still having 'suicidal struggles' I'd like to recommend you read Eckhart Tolle's 'New Earth' because I know it has helped me to come to know who I REALLY am (hint: we are not our 'mind' or the voice in our head that tells us who we think we are)
I love the way the lady says 'black' :) Lovely and touching documentary, on a facinating misunderstood subject, these people were not cowards for ending their lives, they were extremely brave for taking that decision. :)
So the money that they spend on retrieving these peoples bodies and doing autopsies on them, could instead be spent to place a suicide barrier along the bridge, But no, I guess that would make too much sense for the government to comprehend.
@thetruespin What if your mother or someone you loved fell off that bridge? What would you say? "Oh, they were just gonna find something else to throw themselves off anyways"...?
Why put safety rails on bridges anyways if people are going to die? Why treat cancer patients if they are just going to die? Why even eat? You're just gonna eventually die anyways.
You mean jumped, not fell. If my mother or someone I loved were that desperate to do it, putting rails on the bridge is like putting a band aid on a gangrenous wound. Not helping the real problem.
@loner1878 It's possible for someone to fall off the bridge. Gail force winds can blow anyone over the side of a bridge. Obviously, the rails on the golden gate aren't that high, which means it is possible for people to accidentally fall pf the bridge.
@loner1878 Making the rails higher might not completely prevent suicides, however it will make suicide much harder. 90% of the time, people don't plan out their suicides, they just happen. People my be very depressed and not thinking clearly, which can cause them to do things without thinking them thru, such as suicide.
By your reasoning, lets not put safety rails on the side of boats,on balconies, on the 2nd floor of malls, or on rooftops. People who fall off are just gonna die anyway.
For some reason, I was really struck by the way he casually brushed the dirt off his hands before making his descent. Even in our last moments, we are still stuck in our habits.
I read his journal...From what i understand he was unemployed for 6 months, right? That's a long time! He was struggling to pay his bills, rent and even to put food in his belly... Flavored ramen noodles was all he had to eat. Also he was honely and depressed. Spent Holidays alone. Desperate to get a long-term girlfriend. He had probably lost all his hopes and decided to kill himself. He probably thought i either kill myself or become homeless.... then he chose to kill himself.
@gilliamjf Yes, but if you did your research you would know that installing a suicide barrier would cost lots of money, and could ruin the structural integrity of the bridge during a windstorm, which could very seriously harm the bridge
@SoKrItIcAl Complete BS. You can build a suicide barrier which could withstand high winds, it's not impossible. Searching for and retrieving bodies from the bay, and doing autopsies on them cost a lot of money too, especially for the amount of suicides which occur on the bridge every year. So the "Structural Integrity" of a bridge is more important than hundreds of people's lives? Are you serious?
@5SpicyBitches I dont think you understand what structural integrity means. Yes you can build a barrier that withstands winds but if you add that barrier it puts the bridge off balance and no matter how strong the barrier is the bridge can still collapse... and that would cause thousands of people to die if the bridge fell
@SoKrItIcAl The bridge already has rails / a fence along the sidewalk of the bridge. All you have to do is make the rails higher so people cannot easily climb over them. It's a no brainer, and it's not hard, and adding high rails is probably not going to make the entire bridge collapse. In fact the bridge is already designed with holds and gaps in it so the wind can pass thru. Are you REALLY serious?
@SootImp there have been so many studies done to contradict that. example: "The bridge offers very easy access to a very lethal means," he says. "The thing about these people is they don't think about guns, knives or pills — they think about throwing their lives away. If they are prevented from doing that, statistically, they never go and try it again in any other form." coroner for Marin country who has dealt with hundreds of suicides over the bridge.
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I can never understand why people never seek help if they are in despair or feeling unhappy. Killing yourself is never the answer. I hope he found solemnness in committing this act.
Think about that there is nothing you could say to this person to make him go back... and the thing is that its our fault, if maybe we dident ignore and make fun of him, he wouldnt do this. If we showed more love and respect to each other, maybe there wouldnt be people that felt depressed and wouldnt commit suicide. Next time you dont help someone or just ignore him, think again, you could make a change in someones life for ever..
This is exactly why I want to be a therapist. Therapy could have possibly saved Gene. Calling a suicide hotline could have helped, the people standing NEXT to him on the bridge could have helped. I couldn't help but cry when I saw this. He could still be alive today, and his friends wouldn't be in the pain they are in because of Gene's suicide.
Like a lot of people i read his short online journal and empathised so much with the guy. Life is just lots of set backs and dissapointments for most people, but sometimes if you feel your sharing it with other people then it makes it bearable.
i think suicide is much more then a simple "he was sad"
theres alot of rational thought that goes into something that seems so rational. so much so that you really cant talk someone out of killing themselves if they really want to die
Depression makes people commit suicide, nothing else, and that can be treated with medical help. Suicide is wrong, the real victims are the family and people who know them.
@gliderama The family and friends suffer from a loved one's suicide, indeed. But to say that they are the "real" victims writes off all of the pain, heartache, loneliness and desperation that the individual suffered from. Everyone involved suffers. The real tragedy, above all else, is that there are so few resources in which one can get real, quality help for illnesses like depression.
What Gene probably didn't know until he hit the water is how painful it would be to have the huge amount of blunt force trauma that's involved with that method of death. Water, concrete, it's all the same at that height.
Gene A.K.A "Flower" as I knew him.. He was such an old soul..A sweet person and fun to be around..His life was his mother who also was a sweet person. Once his mother died, his life as he knew it was over. He had many times talked about killing himself, but in a joking manner.. No one took him seriously. My sister was married to him. When my sister told me he killed himself, it saddned me. He had many people who loved him. He just never knew it or could not see it in his depression. RIP Gene.
A great documentary at least the seriousness of mental illness will be recognised. It robs us of all these creative people. Bold bit brave documentary. People do not need to die it is a chemical imbalance in the brain. These people are (judging from the reactions) and were loved but nature robbed them of this, and medicine could have helped them. Please seek help ..
Don't do it. Gene was a great guy but was sick with a TREATABLE illness, it was a pity it was not recognised by a professional on time. His many talents (as as of all those who do the same) and he will be missed. Depression is a life treating illness which will affect 1 in 10 people and is treatable. Please if you have these thoughts like GENE talk to a professional or someone you can thrust. Talk you are not alone whatever you may think. At least Gene may save some lives...R.I.P.
I hope at the VERY LEAST the film will open otherwise closed eyes to the serious topic of mental heath and MENTAL ILLNESS. Depression is a life treating illness which will affect 1 in 10 people. Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of and is treatable. If people talks of killing themselves take it seriously, even if they appear to be joking, you do not know what is going on under the surface. Please if you have these thoughts like gene talk to a professional or someone you can thrust. Talk
No he was sick, with a TREATABLE illness. Depression is a life treating illness which will affect 1 in 10 people. Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of and is treatable. If people talks of killing themselves take it seriously, even if they appear to be joking, you do not know what is going on under the surface. Please if you have these thoughts like gene talk to a professional or someone you can thrust. Talk.
It doesn't matter whether the filmmakers could have "saved" these people. This film is about a cultural symptom and phenomenon. It's not about a bunch of random wild card events or isolated heros. Had the cameras been absent, the jumps would have taken place anyway. And you'd blame someone else (or you'd know nothing of it in the first place). This is National Geographic for humans.
@jwervel16 well said, in all the many videos I've watched on YouTube your comment is probably the most accurate I've read about a given situation...sometimes there is no 'saving' people, sometimes we cam only watch and observe with a deep compassion for those who make decisions like this...unfortunately the pain of living (at least in their own mind) is too much for people, and they don't have the ability to make any other choices (Eckhart Tolle describes this well as the 'painbody')
now that i have read your journals....and watched this again...ugh,i really have to feeling to help him but it´s too fucking late and that makes me angry in a few ways.first of all,look at his entries,i mean all those entries had like 0 comments and he felt like crap.
only after he DIED the people started to recognize him.all he wanted is someone to trust in,to speak with....this is a cruel world...
Once you reach a certain velocity, I believe hitting the surface of the water is the same as hitting concrete. Ever see that episode of Mythbusters where they drop Buster from a crane and he loses a leg?
@mrpitchf0rk When you hit water at that height it is like hitting concrete because of the surface tension and then you drown or survive like the guy in the movie if you are "lucky." Watch the movie, people will care if you kill yourself, look at Gene.
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I'm sorry, but this movie is just wrong. Have you thought about the director and the cameramen that were hunting people?
I know they were going to jump even if there wasn´t a camera filming them. But think about the Director needing people to die in order to complete his movie.
Because he couldn´t do a movie with just one death, noooo, he needed a whole year of them.
You have it so wrong.... this is profound.... and will stop suicides........and if not it will help the bereaved....honestly...... why? because it happened to me.
Definitely agreeing with you. This man obviously looked like he was gonna jump, there are boots with people trained to talk to suicidal people, they could have informed them about this man.
@popol159 Don't everyone negative mark that comment -this person has a valid point. When the film crew saw him pacing like that they should have sounded an alarm. I read that they had filmed 5 jumpers before they got to Gene. They should have discussed what to do about the suspicious ones rather than merely filming them. But the film WAS about drawing attention to this problem (which they certainly did.)
well yeah, I mean, it's a tough subject to talk about and I am sure this movie made the authorities pay more attention to that matter. I just think it was the wrong way to do a movie. I mean, the testimonials are good enough right?
At what point do you sound an alarm? Pacing up and down the bridge is not a crime.
It I lived there, I *would* walk the bridge frequently: for exercise, to take in the view, or just to clear my head after a hard day at work. The vast majority of those filmed were doing the same, and did NOT jump. That is why they were not included in the film.
You can't call the authorities on someone for being "interesting", which is all that Gene was until the last few seconds before jumping.
@tuttt99 I know what you're saying but they DO have people working on that bridge on a suicide watch and he WAS starting to look suspicious (they could have called them.) I just think the filmmakers could have taken more of a role rather than 'COMPLETELY PASSIVE ONLOOKERS'. I wasn't in the film crew and I sure as hell would have done something besides just watch them jump.
The film crew *did* contact authorities when they thought that someone was about to jump. Sometimes help arrived in time to stop them, usually not.
The *fact* is, that there was nothing suspicious about Gene until he began to climb the rail. Less than 25 seconds later, he was beyond reach and falling to his death. Try and get the authorities to the scene in that short of a window. That the filmmakers were able to stop *anyone* from jumping is remarkable.
@tuttt99 Yeah you're right. I'm just freaked out because there were people watching him and standing right next to him. But he wasn't really acting suspicious-just thoughtful and pondering something. Hello barriers. They put up suicide barriers on the viaduct bridge at the corner of Bloor and Danforth (it used to be our equivalent to the Golden Gate for suicides). Since then, jumpers dropped to zero. The barriers look really good too (if that's what the people in SF are worried about.)
I remember watching this as a freshman a year ago. Now the new freshmen are watching it and I couldn't help but check this out again. I remember my class was practically holding our breaths when Gene was pacing along the rail. Then when he got up there we started literally screaming "Don't do it Gene don't do it!" It was really sad. And I'm sad to say this but at least he went in style. He still shouldn't have went at all but I guess theres no stoppin it. Hope he found what he was looking for...
At that altitude, you're hitting the water at about 90 mph. At that speed, the resistance of the surface almost resembles a solid wall... specially if you hit flat on your front or back (like this poor sap did). For those unfortunate enough to survive the initial impact, they immediately sink to the bottom and drown, since the impact usually breaks most extremities and vertebrae.
If the guy wanted to die so badly then why did he wander the bridge for such a long time before deciding to jump?If he wanted out of his terrible life,and go to a better place wouldn't he of jumped sooner?I think that he was waiting for someone to intervien,and after a while when nobody did,he decided that maybe this was what he had to do.He really wanted to die.He closed his eyes,fell backwards and stayed in the same position until it was over.Those were probably the best 4 seconds of his life.
I just think he was enjoying his last few moments. Im sure he felt better than he has in years, knowing -after this day- he wouldnt have to deal with all the bullshit in this world I envy him!
This man had obvious issues. The fact that he waited may have been a plea to passers by to get involved. We are too busy in our lives to take a look around and see those in need. Most people who survive suicide will tell you that when they do jump, immediately they no longer want to die. The fact that no one could stop and say "hey, you look like you need a person to talk to" is a statement in its self. Become involved, ask people how they feel, and help those who can not help them selves.
Poor darling Gene, isn't it strange to think that he felt so alone and unloved in life and yet has become a bit of a macob celebrity in death. It's sad in an aching way that he desperately needed to be loved and felt that he wasn't and now that he's gone he has just this out pouring of love from ppl who he never knew. He went out like a rock star leather jacket and all. I think he has that morbid beauty that makes ppl immortal kind of the Jim Morrison of suicide I suppose
Ppl saying they hope hes at peace now etc. I just think he stopped existing, basically return to a state before birth where u were nothing. Basically just leaving this world.. not expecting to enter something else necessarily, just going to sleep forever and not dreaming.
You have no idea that that is true. You believing your thoughts, doesn't mean that you are stating something that is true. It just shows that you believe your thoughts as truth. Live more years and maybe you'll be lucky enough to be know better.
R.I.P. darooagain your dead, I can no longer talk with you. You don't exist, you cannot comment on this you have no friends no family. Does that comfort you? No, do not answer, your sleeping forever...
More important is the barriers that keep you from killing yourself. You answered your own question about suicide, no barriers no suicide, right. Visit a friend, a doctor, whatever, don't visit SF to end it all.
It is horrible to think that we are watching Gene at his ultimate lowest point. Apparently he walked across the bridge from north to south and back again before jumping. I hope his pain is ended now. R.I.P Gene
I cry when I see him jump, even though I never knew Gene, he looks just like my little brother, long black hair- leather jacket and all... It was so freaky seeing Gene jump because the resemblence is unreal, and I hope Gene is at rest with GOD!!!!
do any of you ever stop to think ? seems to me that your following each others dumb comments. this is not about god or
flying, this is about the tragedy of when some people feel total despair, we are not all of this world and many can deal with things, and certain others cannot..
if there was a god, then why didnt he save them, come to them and tell them things
will be ok tomorrow ? stop preaching and
rememeber a person as died. this will live with me forever (sighs) r.i.p. gene
"I was born October 1969 and have felt dead since 1992"
Hello tatorsal,
How sad? Jesus Christ loves us so much that he gave his life for us so that we can have an abundant and fulfilling life. All of us have a purpose in life! None of us were created by accident!
Jesus Christ was a person and a God, he was loyal to men and his father. Are you saying that true love in this world from God could not save Gene? I hope you never suffer mental illness in your family good sir. Who would you blame that On?
i find it rather insulting when i see the comments made about Gene being in hell right now. with all the suffering that is present in this world you still dare to preach your petty fairytale of a supposedly merciful God who loves us; a God who loves us so much that he would send us to hell for an eternity for simply doubting his existence. shall i ever meet the judeo-christian God i will spit him in his face for allowing people like Gene to suffer as much as they do.
God should have mercy on Gene, he took a real leap of faith that God would understand his pain. Life is eternity enough for some. I will not spit in God's face, I will ask for an end to my suffering and hope that hellfire fairytales are not true. Sorry for the pain and hope to see you again.
I love you Gene. It looks like we all do. Sweetdreams, friend.
1EvilScooterKitty 1 month ago 2
I can't stop thinking about Gene.. I wish I could've been there with him. Just to talk to him. Maybe change his mind. I don't even know him, but his death hurts me the most. I wish I could've told him about the many people who loved him and would miss him. R.I.P Gene.
MadelynMetz 2 months ago
"Maybe he just wanted to fly one time." I didn't see a lot of flying, but I did see some world-class plummeting.
AndJusticeForMe 2 months ago
It really seems everyone is black and white here. Either he was a coward for taking his life, or he was brave for taking his life.
The absolute fact of the matter is he was mentally ill. Whether or not he would have ended his life is unknown, but if he would have had treatment things might have been different. No living creature actively seeks to end it's own life. Suicide is completely unnatural yet totally human...odd, isn't it?
Codyrg 2 months ago
The main problem for those that really want to leave this world is the loved ones that are left behind to suffer...that is what stops me.
DramaDon83 2 months ago
I like Caroline. She seems like a very wise old soul.
SuperStrik9 2 months ago 3
@SuperStrik9 I agree. Her depth and understand of Gene and her thoughts on this crazy trip called life is very wise.
rawdog42 3 weeks ago
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@SuperStrik9 I agree. Her depth and understand of Gene and her thoughts on this crazy trip called life is very wise.
rawdog42 3 weeks ago
the moment he jumped, he looked so relived to me, with his arms spread he flew, first and the last time. Hope You are in peace Gene!
iuhium 3 months ago 2
It seems Gene was loved by a lot of people,so there was no way of stopping him doing as he wished .To his family and friends ,you have good memories of Gene and i wish you all long and fruitful,happy lives
tontobones 3 months ago
What happened to Gene's father?
bulafritz 3 months ago
I really enjoy your post. I miss gene every single day of my life. I was the last person to see him. Its so hard on me even years later.
dopeusername29 5 months ago
@dopeusername29 :(
Leannamia 4 months ago
Gene Sprague, I miss you every day of my life. Im filled with so many feelings, Im sad, Im pissed off at you, I miss you, All of the Rossi Family misses you. You left me alone that day.... After you had scribbled "END ME" on the street in front of my house. I was only 9 years old when you left me. You walked out the door, four bucks in your pocket, and you never came back to play with me. To everyone who reads this, Gene was an amazing man. RIP GENE SPRAGUE. Feel free to mess age me with questns
dopeusername29 5 months ago
Some people just can't handle living. They haven't been given the tools to handle the hard times in life. We all have hard times, some worse than others. But we're all different. Some people can survive more crap than most people could even imagine, and some... Well just a few things might push them over the edge. I do not think these people are cowards. I do not bealive god will punish them. I think that they did what they felt they had to do. And hopefully, a better life awaited them.
SootImp 6 months ago 2
@SootImp
Very well said. I couldn't agree more
Colddeed 3 months ago
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froststorm134 7 months ago
You used to captivate me
By your resonating life
But now I'm bound by the life you left behind
Your face, it haunts my once pleasant dreams
Your voice it chased away all of the sanity in me
tuttt99 7 months ago
@tuttt99 Did you know Gene personally?
BuySomethingWillYa 7 months ago
@BuySomethingWillYa
No I was just quoting "My Immortal" by Evanescence. It seemed apropos.
However I did know someone very much like him who committed suicide in much the same way...
tuttt99 7 months ago
There's a Facebook group in remembrance of Gene. According to many people in the group, the film does a very poor job of representing what his actual personality was like. Sure, he talked/joked about suicide a lot and had some struggles with depression (like most of us at times) but he wasn't "all doom and gloom 24/7" as one of his friends worded it. Gene was a talented artist, had a good sense of humor, was fun to be around, and had a lot of friends.
BuySomethingWillYa 7 months ago 3
@BuySomethingWillYa
The filmmakers spoke to people who seemed to know him pretty well. There is no stigma involved here, the guy was depressed. He has not been portrayed in a poor light. From what his close friends said Gene was a good guy. I feel sorry for him.
allthewine 7 months ago
Everything was black, his clothes were black, his hair was black, the curtains were black, the wall was black, the sheets were black.
Why didn't she say "His friend was black." ?
Debbie321lopez 7 months ago
@Debbie321lopez
Because its not even close to being funny.
allthewine 7 months ago
they need a suicide barrier. that fence was designed way too short
gilliamjf 8 months ago
"Maybe he just wanted to fly , one time."
rawdog42 8 months ago 3
I wonder if Gene can hear us talking about him. I wonder if he knew there would be a documentary about his death.
hilarioushungryhilja 9 months ago
@hilarioushungryhilja How could he hear us? And, how could he possibly know there would be a film about him?
BuySomethingWillYa 8 months ago
I had developed an odd obsession with Gene Sprague and suicide via the Golden Gate Bridge. I have made a video of my experience here: watch?v=d5YxYLKrrK8
DrewsFace 9 months ago
they should make a REAL movie about this.. and have Russel Brand as Gene Sprague.. make it in memory of Gene.
DrDell 11 months ago
lol metalhead
PeiinNagato 11 months ago
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PeiinNagato 11 months ago
gene sprauge was a family friend of mine. he was at our hose sleeping on my couch on this day even. he even HUGGED me on this day even. im only 15 and i deal with suicidal struggles... my parents matthew and jennifer rossi are in this and we all have his jacket. rest in peace gene. we love you.
dopeusername29 1 year ago 2
@dopeusername29 So those two from the documentary are your parents? I watched The bridge one week ago and I can´t stop thinking about this Gene person. It´s weird I didn´t even know him. What was he like as a person? I hope he´s at peace now..
ThePennywiser 9 months ago
@dopeusername29 thanks for sharing, I'm sure this affected you deeply...if you are still having 'suicidal struggles' I'd like to recommend you read Eckhart Tolle's 'New Earth' because I know it has helped me to come to know who I REALLY am (hint: we are not our 'mind' or the voice in our head that tells us who we think we are)
oneirishpoet 7 months ago
Does anyone know what light pole number Sprague jumped at?
BuySomethingWillYa 1 year ago
@BuySomethingWillYa i think its the seventh im sure ive been to it and wrote memorials every time i go in sharpie.
dopeusername29 1 year ago
@BuySomethingWillYa Anyone tell you yet?
DrakeInuzuka 9 months ago
@DrakeInuzuka No. No reply yet. Would still like to know.
BuySomethingWillYa 9 months ago
I love the way the lady says 'black' :) Lovely and touching documentary, on a facinating misunderstood subject, these people were not cowards for ending their lives, they were extremely brave for taking that decision. :)
MrCory12 1 year ago 10
So the money that they spend on retrieving these peoples bodies and doing autopsies on them, could instead be spent to place a suicide barrier along the bridge, But no, I guess that would make too much sense for the government to comprehend.
5SpicyBitches 1 year ago
@5SpicyBitches People would just find something else to throw themselves off.
thetruespin 1 year ago
@thetruespin What if your mother or someone you loved fell off that bridge? What would you say? "Oh, they were just gonna find something else to throw themselves off anyways"...?
Why put safety rails on bridges anyways if people are going to die? Why treat cancer patients if they are just going to die? Why even eat? You're just gonna eventually die anyways.
5SpicyBitches 1 year ago
@5SpicyBitches
You mean jumped, not fell. If my mother or someone I loved were that desperate to do it, putting rails on the bridge is like putting a band aid on a gangrenous wound. Not helping the real problem.
loner1878 1 year ago
@loner1878 It's possible for someone to fall off the bridge. Gail force winds can blow anyone over the side of a bridge. Obviously, the rails on the golden gate aren't that high, which means it is possible for people to accidentally fall pf the bridge.
5SpicyBitches 1 year ago
@5SpicyBitches
Has it happened? Just curious.
loner1878 1 year ago
@loner1878 Making the rails higher might not completely prevent suicides, however it will make suicide much harder. 90% of the time, people don't plan out their suicides, they just happen. People my be very depressed and not thinking clearly, which can cause them to do things without thinking them thru, such as suicide.
By your reasoning, lets not put safety rails on the side of boats,on balconies, on the 2nd floor of malls, or on rooftops. People who fall off are just gonna die anyway.
5SpicyBitches 1 year ago
@5SpicyBitches
Can you cite a source for that statistic?
Wow, talk about dramatics. Evel Knievel couldn't make that jump.
loner1878 1 year ago
wow, how sad
look how depression hits
Kitten36601 1 year ago
For some reason, I was really struck by the way he casually brushed the dirt off his hands before making his descent. Even in our last moments, we are still stuck in our habits.
BuySomethingWillYa 1 year ago 2
I read his journal...From what i understand he was unemployed for 6 months, right? That's a long time! He was struggling to pay his bills, rent and even to put food in his belly... Flavored ramen noodles was all he had to eat. Also he was honely and depressed. Spent Holidays alone. Desperate to get a long-term girlfriend. He had probably lost all his hopes and decided to kill himself. He probably thought i either kill myself or become homeless.... then he chose to kill himself.
cleberinthearea 1 year ago 3
this movie really moved me
taylorgray3269 1 year ago
@taylorgray3269
I think it it one of the most powerful documentaries ever made.
It really hit home: the inner despair of people driven to this.
Very Sad.
angryman9 1 year ago 2
To think all this might have prevented by the installation of a suicide barrier.
gilliamjf 1 year ago
@gilliamjf Yes, but if you did your research you would know that installing a suicide barrier would cost lots of money, and could ruin the structural integrity of the bridge during a windstorm, which could very seriously harm the bridge
SoKrItIcAl 1 year ago
@SoKrItIcAl Complete BS. You can build a suicide barrier which could withstand high winds, it's not impossible. Searching for and retrieving bodies from the bay, and doing autopsies on them cost a lot of money too, especially for the amount of suicides which occur on the bridge every year. So the "Structural Integrity" of a bridge is more important than hundreds of people's lives? Are you serious?
5SpicyBitches 1 year ago
@5SpicyBitches I dont think you understand what structural integrity means. Yes you can build a barrier that withstands winds but if you add that barrier it puts the bridge off balance and no matter how strong the barrier is the bridge can still collapse... and that would cause thousands of people to die if the bridge fell
SoKrItIcAl 1 year ago
@SoKrItIcAl The bridge already has rails / a fence along the sidewalk of the bridge. All you have to do is make the rails higher so people cannot easily climb over them. It's a no brainer, and it's not hard, and adding high rails is probably not going to make the entire bridge collapse. In fact the bridge is already designed with holds and gaps in it so the wind can pass thru. Are you REALLY serious?
5SpicyBitches 1 year ago
@gilliamjf
It would only prevent suicide from the bridge. Its treating a symptom and not the cause.
loner1878 1 year ago
@loner1878
Exactly. If people are set out to kill them selves, they will. Fence or not.
SootImp 6 months ago
@SootImp there have been so many studies done to contradict that. example: "The bridge offers very easy access to a very lethal means," he says. "The thing about these people is they don't think about guns, knives or pills — they think about throwing their lives away. If they are prevented from doing that, statistically, they never go and try it again in any other form." coroner for Marin country who has dealt with hundreds of suicides over the bridge.
thehockstra 6 months ago
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gilliamjf 1 year ago
did they ever talk to the 2 ladies next to him. it seems he communicates with them before he jumps. I wonder if he said anything to them.
LTDANMAN44 1 year ago
@NiqueBra12 that is a horrible thing to say.
multimakeupmadness 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I can never understand why people never seek help if they are in despair or feeling unhappy. Killing yourself is never the answer. I hope he found solemnness in committing this act.
NiqueBra12 1 year ago
@NiqueBra12 because when people are that depessed they feel No one can help them
littlesercet 1 year ago 2
Think about that there is nothing you could say to this person to make him go back... and the thing is that its our fault, if maybe we dident ignore and make fun of him, he wouldnt do this. If we showed more love and respect to each other, maybe there wouldnt be people that felt depressed and wouldnt commit suicide. Next time you dont help someone or just ignore him, think again, you could make a change in someones life for ever..
Herbie1337 1 year ago 3
rest in peace Gene hope you found peace that day.
CARDMAN365 1 year ago 2
RIP Gene 1969-2004
northernstar107 1 year ago 2
Anniversary May 11. rip gene xxx
sarastro84 1 year ago
"Maybe he just wanted to fly one time" !
DeanCorllCares 1 year ago
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sarastro84 1 year ago
This is exactly why I want to be a therapist. Therapy could have possibly saved Gene. Calling a suicide hotline could have helped, the people standing NEXT to him on the bridge could have helped. I couldn't help but cry when I saw this. He could still be alive today, and his friends wouldn't be in the pain they are in because of Gene's suicide.
purebloodjiselle 1 year ago
Like a lot of people i read his short online journal and empathised so much with the guy. Life is just lots of set backs and dissapointments for most people, but sometimes if you feel your sharing it with other people then it makes it bearable.
HolyCows154 1 year ago
i think suicide is much more then a simple "he was sad"
theres alot of rational thought that goes into something that seems so rational. so much so that you really cant talk someone out of killing themselves if they really want to die
an50331 1 year ago 6
Depression makes people commit suicide, nothing else, and that can be treated with medical help. Suicide is wrong, the real victims are the family and people who know them.
gliderama 1 year ago
@gliderama The family and friends suffer from a loved one's suicide, indeed. But to say that they are the "real" victims writes off all of the pain, heartache, loneliness and desperation that the individual suffered from. Everyone involved suffers. The real tragedy, above all else, is that there are so few resources in which one can get real, quality help for illnesses like depression.
gelfling32 1 year ago 3
There's 'ol Brohawk (Dave) from Deviantart.
ResurrectionJoe 1 year ago
gene has a facebook account let us all be there
ponte34 1 year ago
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BrianSkullDude 1 year ago 3
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BrianSkullDude 1 year ago 3
...so when are you gonna kill yourself? im waiting to see it on youtube,
kingofhearts00 1 year ago
What Gene probably didn't know until he hit the water is how painful it would be to have the huge amount of blunt force trauma that's involved with that method of death. Water, concrete, it's all the same at that height.
Poor guy.
herrbrahms 1 year ago
pretty sure Gene didn't really give a fuck.
maybe?
kingofhearts00 1 year ago
@herrbrahms I think it's instant, at that height.
jovialduke 1 year ago
no hesetation damn cold blood s.o.b but coulnt be strog poor soul
danlix 1 year ago
nothing love and pot couldn't cure.
angelortiz69 1 year ago 3
The bridge in my city (Grafton) Now has suicide barriers :)
JogaSkillz 1 year ago
Gene A.K.A "Flower" as I knew him.. He was such an old soul..A sweet person and fun to be around..His life was his mother who also was a sweet person. Once his mother died, his life as he knew it was over. He had many times talked about killing himself, but in a joking manner.. No one took him seriously. My sister was married to him. When my sister told me he killed himself, it saddned me. He had many people who loved him. He just never knew it or could not see it in his depression. RIP Gene.
oates77fan 1 year ago 15
probably the most powerful, emotional documentary I've ever seen
pheewhee 1 year ago 4
A great documentary at least the seriousness of mental illness will be recognised. It robs us of all these creative people. Bold bit brave documentary. People do not need to die it is a chemical imbalance in the brain. These people are (judging from the reactions) and were loved but nature robbed them of this, and medicine could have helped them. Please seek help ..
firebladesrs250 2 years ago
Don't do it. Gene was a great guy but was sick with a TREATABLE illness, it was a pity it was not recognised by a professional on time. His many talents (as as of all those who do the same) and he will be missed. Depression is a life treating illness which will affect 1 in 10 people and is treatable. Please if you have these thoughts like GENE talk to a professional or someone you can thrust. Talk you are not alone whatever you may think. At least Gene may save some lives...R.I.P.
firebladesrs250 2 years ago
Art...
KoivuTheHab 2 years ago
I hope at the VERY LEAST the film will open otherwise closed eyes to the serious topic of mental heath and MENTAL ILLNESS. Depression is a life treating illness which will affect 1 in 10 people. Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of and is treatable. If people talks of killing themselves take it seriously, even if they appear to be joking, you do not know what is going on under the surface. Please if you have these thoughts like gene talk to a professional or someone you can thrust. Talk
firebladesrs250 2 years ago
I knew Gene. This is sad. He didn't know how many people he hurt with this...
veronica94952 2 years ago 6
This comment has received too many negative votes show
What a selfish jerk.
lidvl11 2 years ago
No he was sick, with a TREATABLE illness. Depression is a life treating illness which will affect 1 in 10 people. Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of and is treatable. If people talks of killing themselves take it seriously, even if they appear to be joking, you do not know what is going on under the surface. Please if you have these thoughts like gene talk to a professional or someone you can thrust. Talk.
firebladesrs250 2 years ago
Do you think he regret it right after he jumped?
SerendipitousJ 2 years ago 5
I doubt it.
The way he appeared so relaxed as he fell suggests that he was completely at peace with his decision.
RIP Gene. Wish I had known you. You seem like someone I would have liked.
tuttt99 2 years ago 6
@SerendipitousJ
Who knows?
Remembermylai 8 months ago
that woman seems full of empathy,she comes across as intelligent and lovely.
Diordo11 2 years ago 80
She looks like someone that I would love to have as a friend.
tuttt99 2 years ago 5
@Diordo11 I agree. It seemed as though all the other families were nasty, distant and apathetic. Caroline was so realistic and wise.
gelfling32 1 year ago
@Diordo11 Oh I so agree. She is someone I would like to care that way about me.
vickilaw 1 year ago
@Diordo11 She's like The Oracle.
Mechamortal 8 months ago
Don't you all get it?
It doesn't matter whether the filmmakers could have "saved" these people. This film is about a cultural symptom and phenomenon. It's not about a bunch of random wild card events or isolated heros. Had the cameras been absent, the jumps would have taken place anyway. And you'd blame someone else (or you'd know nothing of it in the first place). This is National Geographic for humans.
Your ire is sorely misdirected.
jwervel16 2 years ago 46
@jwervel16 If you try to jump off a bridge, I hope someone doesn't decide to let you do it.
ambigera 1 year ago
@jwervel16 well said, in all the many videos I've watched on YouTube your comment is probably the most accurate I've read about a given situation...sometimes there is no 'saving' people, sometimes we cam only watch and observe with a deep compassion for those who make decisions like this...unfortunately the pain of living (at least in their own mind) is too much for people, and they don't have the ability to make any other choices (Eckhart Tolle describes this well as the 'painbody')
oneirishpoet 7 months ago
oh gene....
now that i have read your journals....and watched this again...ugh,i really have to feeling to help him but it´s too fucking late and that makes me angry in a few ways.first of all,look at his entries,i mean all those entries had like 0 comments and he felt like crap.
only after he DIED the people started to recognize him.all he wanted is someone to trust in,to speak with....this is a cruel world...
RapiDEraZeR 2 years ago
he was a great man im happy i played online with him and he was a great codder and skinner
ill will remember your work in ut99
wingscancer 2 years ago 2
I really don't know how you can kill yourself by jumping into water. Is it the impact, or do you force yourself to drown, or what?
mrpitchf0rk 2 years ago
Once you reach a certain velocity, I believe hitting the surface of the water is the same as hitting concrete. Ever see that episode of Mythbusters where they drop Buster from a crane and he loses a leg?
Potatoguy123 2 years ago 4
I haven't. That makes sense.
Aaaaaand some douchebag doesn't know what the comment rating system is for. YouTube should abolish it altogether, it's completely worthless.
mrpitchf0rk 2 years ago 2
@mrpitchf0rk When you hit water at that height it is like hitting concrete because of the surface tension and then you drown or survive like the guy in the movie if you are "lucky." Watch the movie, people will care if you kill yourself, look at Gene.
tatorsal 2 years ago
"Watch the movie, people will care if you kill yourself, look at Gene. "
What? I'm terribly confused. How is that at all relevant?
mrpitchf0rk 2 years ago
@mrpitchf0rk Meaning The Bridge is about the friends and family who were hurt by the suicides. That is relevant.
tatorsal 2 years ago
Okay, but how is it relevant to anything I said?
mrpitchf0rk 2 years ago
This woman Caroline Pressley is incredible. Unbelievably wise.
itpduder 2 years ago 8
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Did he think about the fishes he could of landed on?
rick182z 2 years ago
Apart from your seeming inability to be grammatically correct, your comment is disgusting.
ulteriorha 2 years ago
disgusting... I bet thats how the people who had to pick his body out of the water felt to.. (:
rick182z 2 years ago
Who was the sound recordist on this?? ^$&^(**(
HDCAMAN 2 years ago
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ReallyPsilly 2 years ago
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ReallyPsilly 2 years ago
I feel as though i know him, but i dont.
R.I.P Gene, You will never be forgotten.
I watched this a few months ago while in Fairfield, Ca. I still have not forgot.
xtragiclovex 2 years ago 5
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I'm sorry, but this movie is just wrong. Have you thought about the director and the cameramen that were hunting people?
I know they were going to jump even if there wasn´t a camera filming them. But think about the Director needing people to die in order to complete his movie.
Because he couldn´t do a movie with just one death, noooo, he needed a whole year of them.
THATS JUST TRYING TO SELL A MOVIE.
R.I.P to the 24 humans who died.
popol159 2 years ago
You have it so wrong.... this is profound.... and will stop suicides........and if not it will help the bereaved....honestly...... why? because it happened to me.
gasgas270 2 years ago
I know it's profound and it's a really interesting subject.
I just think that's just not the way to make a movie about that.
popol159 2 years ago
Wait, what? You think the producers killed people to make the movie?
mrpitchf0rk 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
No, they we're waiting for people to jump, and didnt do anything about it.
So they waited for people to die.
That's wrong
popol159 2 years ago
I'm somehow skeptical.
mrpitchf0rk 2 years ago
@popol159
Definitely agreeing with you. This man obviously looked like he was gonna jump, there are boots with people trained to talk to suicidal people, they could have informed them about this man.
maxvandenderen 2 years ago
@popol159 Don't everyone negative mark that comment -this person has a valid point. When the film crew saw him pacing like that they should have sounded an alarm. I read that they had filmed 5 jumpers before they got to Gene. They should have discussed what to do about the suspicious ones rather than merely filming them. But the film WAS about drawing attention to this problem (which they certainly did.)
herstome5656 2 years ago
well yeah, I mean, it's a tough subject to talk about and I am sure this movie made the authorities pay more attention to that matter. I just think it was the wrong way to do a movie. I mean, the testimonials are good enough right?
popol159 2 years ago
@herstome5656
At what point do you sound an alarm? Pacing up and down the bridge is not a crime.
It I lived there, I *would* walk the bridge frequently: for exercise, to take in the view, or just to clear my head after a hard day at work. The vast majority of those filmed were doing the same, and did NOT jump. That is why they were not included in the film.
You can't call the authorities on someone for being "interesting", which is all that Gene was until the last few seconds before jumping.
tuttt99 2 years ago
@tuttt99 I know what you're saying but they DO have people working on that bridge on a suicide watch and he WAS starting to look suspicious (they could have called them.) I just think the filmmakers could have taken more of a role rather than 'COMPLETELY PASSIVE ONLOOKERS'. I wasn't in the film crew and I sure as hell would have done something besides just watch them jump.
herstome5656 2 years ago
The film crew *did* contact authorities when they thought that someone was about to jump. Sometimes help arrived in time to stop them, usually not.
The *fact* is, that there was nothing suspicious about Gene until he began to climb the rail. Less than 25 seconds later, he was beyond reach and falling to his death. Try and get the authorities to the scene in that short of a window. That the filmmakers were able to stop *anyone* from jumping is remarkable.
tuttt99 2 years ago
@tuttt99 Yeah you're right. I'm just freaked out because there were people watching him and standing right next to him. But he wasn't really acting suspicious-just thoughtful and pondering something. Hello barriers. They put up suicide barriers on the viaduct bridge at the corner of Bloor and Danforth (it used to be our equivalent to the Golden Gate for suicides). Since then, jumpers dropped to zero. The barriers look really good too (if that's what the people in SF are worried about.)
herstome5656 2 years ago
I remember watching this as a freshman a year ago. Now the new freshmen are watching it and I couldn't help but check this out again. I remember my class was practically holding our breaths when Gene was pacing along the rail. Then when he got up there we started literally screaming "Don't do it Gene don't do it!" It was really sad. And I'm sad to say this but at least he went in style. He still shouldn't have went at all but I guess theres no stoppin it. Hope he found what he was looking for...
kikiox4 2 years ago 2
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23lainey 2 years ago 4
At that altitude, you're hitting the water at about 90 mph. At that speed, the resistance of the surface almost resembles a solid wall... specially if you hit flat on your front or back (like this poor sap did). For those unfortunate enough to survive the initial impact, they immediately sink to the bottom and drown, since the impact usually breaks most extremities and vertebrae.
rodzandz 2 years ago 7
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MrJUACATA 2 years ago
this documentary is sad but TRUE.
marrieter08 2 years ago 7
If the guy wanted to die so badly then why did he wander the bridge for such a long time before deciding to jump?If he wanted out of his terrible life,and go to a better place wouldn't he of jumped sooner?I think that he was waiting for someone to intervien,and after a while when nobody did,he decided that maybe this was what he had to do.He really wanted to die.He closed his eyes,fell backwards and stayed in the same position until it was over.Those were probably the best 4 seconds of his life.
Lambofiend 2 years ago
I just think he was enjoying his last few moments. Im sure he felt better than he has in years, knowing -after this day- he wouldnt have to deal with all the bullshit in this world I envy him!
amazrand 2 years ago 13
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Why would you envy him?
Lambofiend 2 years ago
but we dont really know that, do we.
80sOGRE 2 years ago 2
Im sorry for saying that, Hope in all forms counts for more than being negative. Im sorry
80sOGRE 2 years ago
at the point, he realizes its all futile no 1 is going to intervene and make that real impact .... he was waiting all along.. all his life...
whitenightbyaku 2 years ago 4
This man had obvious issues. The fact that he waited may have been a plea to passers by to get involved. We are too busy in our lives to take a look around and see those in need. Most people who survive suicide will tell you that when they do jump, immediately they no longer want to die. The fact that no one could stop and say "hey, you look like you need a person to talk to" is a statement in its self. Become involved, ask people how they feel, and help those who can not help them selves.
Atorres614 2 years ago
dude, you really think. now i think of it, we all been selfish.
jpsguitarguy 2 years ago
Yep, God really helped Gene that day!
amazrand 2 years ago
:-)
sugarkaneandchloe 2 years ago
Gene is my new hero. Guy had major balls and went out in style!
amazrand 2 years ago 5
Poor darling Gene, isn't it strange to think that he felt so alone and unloved in life and yet has become a bit of a macob celebrity in death. It's sad in an aching way that he desperately needed to be loved and felt that he wasn't and now that he's gone he has just this out pouring of love from ppl who he never knew. He went out like a rock star leather jacket and all. I think he has that morbid beauty that makes ppl immortal kind of the Jim Morrison of suicide I suppose
WHITETRASHDOLL 2 years ago 13
there is always light at then end of the tunnel, just wait for those dark days to go.and in time you will see that life ( IS )worth living
23lainey 2 years ago
Ppl saying they hope hes at peace now etc. I just think he stopped existing, basically return to a state before birth where u were nothing. Basically just leaving this world.. not expecting to enter something else necessarily, just going to sleep forever and not dreaming.
darooagain 2 years ago 5
You have no idea that that is true. You believing your thoughts, doesn't mean that you are stating something that is true. It just shows that you believe your thoughts as truth. Live more years and maybe you'll be lucky enough to be know better.
moranus10 2 years ago
R.I.P. darooagain your dead, I can no longer talk with you. You don't exist, you cannot comment on this you have no friends no family. Does that comfort you? No, do not answer, your sleeping forever...
tatorsal 2 years ago
How are the suicide barriers going? Theres a possibility i could visit SF next year and would consider jumping too but not if the barriers are up
darooagain 2 years ago
More important is the barriers that keep you from killing yourself. You answered your own question about suicide, no barriers no suicide, right. Visit a friend, a doctor, whatever, don't visit SF to end it all.
tatorsal 2 years ago
I hope you find something in your life that makes it worth living
sianchild 2 years ago 4
It is horrible to think that we are watching Gene at his ultimate lowest point. Apparently he walked across the bridge from north to south and back again before jumping. I hope his pain is ended now. R.I.P Gene
kamelion7 2 years ago 7
"Only Love, Really Love...Feeling Like He Was Loved, And In Love, Was Gonna To Save Him"
WOW!!, now that's very true and powerful. i believe more then 90% of the time suicide is caused by loneliness or rejection. Period.
MrNightOwl88 2 years ago 12
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Tr1ckyV1cky 2 years ago
Keep your Chin up, and have a positive attitude, the right Person will come. Rejection and Loneliness sucks, but it also makes us stronger.
Peace
*wink*
MrNightOwl88 2 years ago
I cry when I see him jump, even though I never knew Gene, he looks just like my little brother, long black hair- leather jacket and all... It was so freaky seeing Gene jump because the resemblence is unreal, and I hope Gene is at rest with GOD!!!!
angelineHful 2 years ago
do any of you ever stop to think ? seems to me that your following each others dumb comments. this is not about god or
flying, this is about the tragedy of when some people feel total despair, we are not all of this world and many can deal with things, and certain others cannot..
if there was a god, then why didnt he save them, come to them and tell them things
will be ok tomorrow ? stop preaching and
rememeber a person as died. this will live with me forever (sighs) r.i.p. gene
23lainey 2 years ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
Living through two attempts, I have little interest in trying again.
tatorsal 2 years ago
I was born October 1969 and have felt dead since 1992, just as Gene I suppose...
tatorsal 2 years ago
"I was born October 1969 and have felt dead since 1992"
Hello tatorsal,
How sad? Jesus Christ loves us so much that he gave his life for us so that we can have an abundant and fulfilling life. All of us have a purpose in life! None of us were created by accident!
twospot7777777 2 years ago
Jesus Christ was a person and a God, he was loyal to men and his father. Are you saying that true love in this world from God could not save Gene? I hope you never suffer mental illness in your family good sir. Who would you blame that On?
tatorsal 2 years ago
i find it rather insulting when i see the comments made about Gene being in hell right now. with all the suffering that is present in this world you still dare to preach your petty fairytale of a supposedly merciful God who loves us; a God who loves us so much that he would send us to hell for an eternity for simply doubting his existence. shall i ever meet the judeo-christian God i will spit him in his face for allowing people like Gene to suffer as much as they do.
Isaachelric 2 years ago 9
God should have mercy on Gene, he took a real leap of faith that God would understand his pain. Life is eternity enough for some. I will not spit in God's face, I will ask for an end to my suffering and hope that hellfire fairytales are not true. Sorry for the pain and hope to see you again.
tatorsal 2 years ago