In regards to atheism and suicide, although there are recent studies relating to atheism being a causal factor for suicide in some individuals, an early proponent of atheism being a causal factor for suicide in some individuals was the Reverend Dr. Robert S. MacArthur. In 1894, the New York Times stated the following in relation to atheism and suicide: The same New York Times article quotes the Reverend Dr. MacArthur describing suicide in the following manner: In 2004, the American Journal of Psychiatry reported the following: