Whats the definition of martyrdom?

Question

Do you think that terrorists that die for Jihad and Martyrdom really Martyrs or are they just murderers? Jesus Christ was a Martyr, I thought a martyr was someone who sacrifices THEMSELVES for a cause, not someone who takes out 20 innocent people with them, that is a murderer in my book. Sorry.

Answer 1

Traditionally, martyrs are those who have an ideal that they think is so important that it's worth dying for. When they die, they're considered martyrs for their cause, whatever it happens to be.

Suicide bombers could be considered martyrs if that's what they actually were. There are several things that disqualify them:

1) When they die, no one knows what their cause was and no one remembers their names. Within weeks, they're so-called "martyrdom" is forgotten by the rest of the world.

2) Some suicide bombers are victims. It's common for terror leaders to kidnap children and then hold them until the parents agree to carry out a suicide bombing to free them. This is reported frequently in the intelligence reports in Iraq. (Of course the children are never released.)

3) Traditionally, martyrs never killed anyone. They died by being executed, like the early Christians. They never really voluntarily died, either. Had they been given a choice, they would have lived out their lives. No one wants to die, not even martyrs. The only thing that sets them apart is that they won't give up their values.

So what's left? They are murderers. That we know because in their last act, they commit to the objectives that mean the most to them. They plan the murders, they train for them, and they carry them out as if brutality against other human beings is acceptable.

And of all the things they want to accomplish in life, this is regarded by them as the pinnacle.

The only pigs on the planet more evil are those who order the slayings and yet are never courageous enough to carry out a suicide attack themselves.

Answer 2

In brief; Submission to death or persecution for the sake of faith or principle. I'd assume that meant only the person doing the dying or suffering. Boy, are those people that thought themselves martyrs going to be pissed when they find out they're not getting all them virgins.

Answer 3

I would say that each individual group has thier own definition of martyrdom. I would agree with your definition, a sacrifice of your own life for a cause.

Answer 4

i once heard that the difference in martyrdom and suicide is media coverage. don't be sorry you are 100 percent correct. martyrdom is not reserved for those who hate.

Answer 5

A person who died for their faith in God is considered martyr.

A person who is willing to kill someone in the name of religion is considered murderers as well as terrorists.

Answer 6

martyrdom is to die while occupying another country

Answer 7

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=martyrdom

Answer 8

Murderers burning in Hell...

Answer 9

dying on your face.