Is it ever ok to wish someone dead?

[HeartsAndClubs]

Not just renouned criminals, but people who essentially co exist with us.

I think it’s fair to say that when e.g. Peter sutcliff and MAx Clifford etc died many people will have thought “good.”

And when Fred West and Harold Shipman died people would equally have been glad they were dead, but perhaps angry at the fact they took the cowardly way out.

But what about your average person who you just dislike for whatever reason?

My mum was telling me last week that she spoke to a neighbour whose brother used to be married to a family member. However, he and this woman are now estranged but only recently. He has recently been undergoing tests for a serious illness but she (the sister) doesn’t know that. My mum asked casually if she’d heard from him, and her response was “hopefully he’s dead.” and I couldn’t help thinking what an awful thing to say about anyone.

And yet I would probably think it of Peter Sutcliff, so when is it ok? Or isn’t it?

I think it's ok. People can't help feeling what they feel.

If I found out my ex had died I wouldn't mourn him and I think the world would be a better place without him in it. I wouldn't say it to anyone in case they thought I'm terrible but he's a nasty piece of work

It's fine - just a turn of phrase, don't overthink. There is no magic / fate / whatever attached and the person who said it is presumably not homicidal.

Yes

Not mourning a dead person is very different from wishing them dead. I think wishing death upon anyone is awful.

Fiftyish years ago I was raped. I don't think about it much these days but when I do, I hope the guy experienced pain in his life or is dead. I don't think that's unreasonable, do you?

When I told my counsellor I wished my ex husband was dead she told me that it was a very common and understandable emotion.

I wasn't entirely serious because if he died my children would be devastated, but I just wanted him to be out of my life and not exist any more.

I think it's pretty awful, honestly.

You can wish that you never have to meet them again, but to wish that they were actually dead is a step too far.

I think it's fine. There's a lot of people alive that the world would be better without!
I know a couple in particular that make our lives a living hell, and I've said numerous times I with they weren't alive. And I will continue to say so.

If she's estranged from him then it isn't too surprising that she feels this way

N’ah I spent 17 years as a child wishing my mother dead, now she has cancer, oh well.

Yes it’s ok. for some people death is the nicest thing you could wish them.

I have said it and thought it a few times and I felt bad afterwards. I think it's totally natural to a degree.

@CuthbertDibbleandGrubb even pedophiles, child killers, rapists, torturers, murderers?

We should stop being absolutely obsessed with doing the right thing the whole of the time.

We are human, we think things and sometimes say them. it's o.k. And it's ok to wish someone dead. It won't make it happen.

No it isn't OK.

In my culture we believe that if you say something like that it'll come back on you.

I think this is a very common reaction from people with vindictive, nasty ex- partners.

I never thought I’d ever say something like that...until I found myself in that position.

I wish the man who sold me for sex to thousands of men dead. I wish him a very lonely and painful death. Never going to see him again but I still wish him a horrible death.

I have an ex who is so toxic that if he died I'd feel happy. He almost ruined my life and he's absolutely broken several other women. I don't wish him dead now but I did. I would still be happy if he died though.

I think it's ok

I think it’s a normal reaction to someone who has really hurt you or your loved ones. It’s not as if you are going to actually kill them but I do think the world would be a better place without some people so yea I do wish some people dead to be honest.

I think it's ok.

Everyone naively believes they would never wish anyone dead, as it is so so terrible a thing to want. Until they meet the person they wish dead.

There is one man I wish dead, a death I hope he sees coming and is painful, and if your family had suffered you would wish him dead too.

I think the only time I've ever actively wished someone dead was when someone I loved had a terminal illness and was suffering and getting nothing positive from being alive.

I think it’s fine, my ex (father of my children) is absent and sometimes I think to myself he might as well be dead 🤷‍♀️