Martyrdom

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What is your reaction to martyrdom? I was thinking today that I've never been particularly moved by stories of martyrdom within any religion or any political movement - even if I agree with the cause. Bobby Sands, Emily Davison, kamikaze, Ali, Jesus, suicide bombers...the whole list of people who died for all kinds of causes leaves me emotionally unmoved.

I have more admiration for those martyrs who are put to death for standing by their principles, than I do for those who willingly kill themselves to make a point. For this reason, martyrs like Giordano Bruno, Jesus, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Oscar Wilde (in a sort-of way) get more admiration from me than ones like Bobby Sands or Emily Davison. I find politically motivated suicide repugnant, though I'm not morally repulsed by suicide per se. It just strikes me as the second-worst form of passive aggression...after those who commit suicide in a way that also kills other people, like kamikaze and suicide bombers.

Suicide bombers and kamikaze are almost universally disapproved of, however, Bobby Sands and Emily Davison type martyrdom is respected by some people.

Even of the martyrs I admire, I don't find the fact that they died for their principles makes them any more admirable than if they hadn't been put to death. I sometimes think that maybe the likes of Giordano Bruno were doing the wrong thing because they could've accomplished more if they'd manage to keep themselves alive. Like his Marleyness says, 'a mighty god is a living man'.

When it comes to Jesus, were not talking simply of martyrdom. To believers, Jesus's death was the last blood sacrifice needed to placate the Abrahamic god. This got me thinking, what if the appeal of martyrdom has its roots in the age-old practice of human sacrifice? What do you think is the root of the martyr's appeal?

I was raised Catholic and I often heard stories of martyrhood. I would often think, 'yes, some people killed some other people for following this religion...this is supposed to spiritually inspire me how, exactly?'

Are there are any martyrs that you admire? If so, why?

Martyrdom....

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... ic_victory


That's the only way I can really think of it. It's a minute victory where you sacrifice something greater in the path. I guess there are some pawns whose lives aren't worth much more than destruction but even that serves as little more than fodder for a more effective propaganda.

I think martyrdom is stupid. Even if you believe in something, you don't sacrifice disproportionally for it...

Yeah I think martyrom is very short sihted. Like hwat's thje pinbt of fuigjhting fdor the advancinmenrtyt fof the human rac de if you're noit even gonna live to see the progress?

Christian and Jewish Martyrdom: dying at the hands of others after being convicted as a criminal due to being unwilling to bow to idols or otherwise reject God.

Islamic martyrdom: killing others in the hopes that you'll have a harem after you're killed to protect public safety or otherwise die in the act of killing others.