I'm pretty sure it's a whole lot more than religion perpetuating the problem here. Most atheists seem to think life is just as valuable as religious people, and are just as disturbed by pain, suffering, and DEATH. The real problem, I think, is the human condition. The desire to survive is very powerfully ingrained in us. Even among us, many have talked about just how hard it really is to kill yourself, no matter how badly you want to die. This is our survival instinct kicking in trying to keep us alive.
If suicide were readily embraced and encouraged by society, it would pose a very real threat to the perpetuation of our species (not that it matters 'cause we really are all gonna die anyway because of global warming in like 1,000 years or something... or so I've been told.) I'm not trying to defend pro-lifers, I'm just trying to say that this may all be part of nature's defense mechanism.
Also, I believe that in the minds of pro-lifers, the concept of embracing suicide for other people is subconsciously a threat to their very way of thinking, and their way of life; it's just completely unthinkable for them, like shooting one of their kids or something like that. It's all psychological or biological.
Edit: Oh, as a sidenote, I mean no disrespect, but I couldn't help but laugh at the fact that you started your religion bashing post with AMEN! hahaha... *ahem* it's healthy to have a good sense of humour.