Christian Martyrs?

Question

Are the South Korean captives in Afghanistan being celebrated as Christian martyrs? Though the concept of martyrdom has fallen out of favor in recent Christian history, most people acknowledge that the church is built on the blood of martyrs. Islamic martyrdom is alive and well. Is this a chance for Christians to return to an old tradition, against an old enemy?

Answer 1

What ever gave you the idea that Christians being killed for their faith ever "went out of style"?? It's been going on for 2000 years...
I can't believe anyone thinks the concept ever enjoyed much favor, especially among the Christians being killed! Although many have gone to their deaths bravely, it was never their own idea!!
Suicide bombers are not "martyrs" by any means! The idea that God would reward someone for killing large numbers of people by flying a plane into a building or strapping on a bomb is ridiculous, whether it is a Muslim committing this sort of insance suicide, or a member of some other group. No Christian would consider doing such a wicked thing with any expectation of being rewarded for it!
You have one thing right though...Islam is, indeed, an "old enemy"...although not many know it.

Answer 2

what the hell are you talking about Martyrdom is the soul act of giving your life for your faith and you say that the Christians have lost the idea of Martyrdom is absurd. In some ways you are right ever since the Church began in Roman times when ever a missionary was killed in the Middle East they were automatically declared martyrs but this is not out of context with what the word means. Anyone who is killed for their faith no matter what faith they are declared Martyrs.

Answer 3

Islam is not an old enemy of Christianity. I am sorry and apologise to Muslims for the hurt done in the past by Christians (of course people of other faiths have done wrong against Christians as well). But are we ever going to move forward? We have an estimated 6 billion years in front of us on this planet (by astrophysicist's calculation of the lifetime of our sun & solar system) so can we all "evolve" a little?

Answer 4

They certainly meet any classical definition of martyrdom. I don't think the Taliban realize how potent a symbol they've erected for the very religion they oppose... they have given whatever small Christian community there is in Afghanistan some saints to rally around, people who will be remembered for centuries.

Answer 5

This isn't an old tradition. Christians are and have been martyred for their faith on a daily basis since the foundation of the faith. Russia, China, North Korea, and many Muslim countries routinely torture and kill Christians for no other reason than that they are Christians.

Answer 6

Christian martyrs may not be celebrated these days, but they are no less in existence. Before Afghanistan, a lot of Chinese Christians were also killed for their faith.

Answer 7

Even if they weren't, plenty of other Christians have been martyred in Indonesia, Sudan, Nigeria, Saudi, Iran, and Pakistan. But they're martyrs in my eyes.

Answer 8

According to Christian Theology, you cannot be a martyr and a follower of Christ. (That is if you define Martyr as someone trying to die for their religion and taking others out with them )There are 2 reaons for this.

1. Jesus said to the croud, "If you love me, obey my comands." Such as love you enemy, and that anger is equal to murder, etc.

2. Jesus Martyred himself so that no-one else would ever have to. This is the cornerstone of Christian Beliefs.

I believe that the hostages are simply ordinary people being murdered. If they were Martyrs, they would be there by choice.

Answer 9

In the formal sense I would support reviving the concept. However,I am opposed to reviving old animosities regarding Islam.

Answer 10

Baloney in fact mounds of baloney