2007-11-23 11:01:11 · 27 answers · asked by Nels 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Emerson was a Christian, BTW
2007-11-23 11:09:37 · update #1
I would be willing to fight and die for my RIGHT to believe or not to believe.
But if someone came into my house and held a gun to my head, and told me to say that I accepted God or they would blow my brains out, then I would say it.
Why wouldn't I? The difference between a believer being willing to die for their beliefs and an atheist, is the believer is under the illusion that they will be rewarded in some after-life for staying adamant about their beliefs under all circumstances.
I would be willing to die for the greater good, if my death contributed to giving others freedom for their beliefs.
I would not be willing to die for it if no one benefited from it, and the only result would be me being dead.
2007-11-23 11:38:03 · answer #1 · answered by Jess H 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They'd have to be a damn good reason.
For the most part if I lived in a theocracy I'd probably just go along and try to fit in while documenting abuses I see and maybe being involved in an underground resistance movement aimed and defeating religion once and for all.
Risks may have to be taken but I wouldn't just go out and admit atheism for the purposes of being martyred.
2007-11-23 19:18:36 · answer #2 · answered by bestonnet_00 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That would be silly. We don't believe that martyrdom has special rewards or magic benefits for mankind. Most of us know what happens to martyrs of causes that the masses reject... they're trivialized, effectively nullifying their sacrifice. It's better to continue to live a good life, setting the proper example, and educating people.
A living teacher is much more effective than a dead martyr.
2007-11-23 19:36:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Girodano Bruno among many others were martyred not necessarily for atheism but rather for questioning the church in the Midieval and Renaissance periods.
I'm not an atheist but if someone tried to forced me to submit to or die for something I feel is wrong then martyrdom might be in the cards.
2007-11-23 19:18:56 · answer #4 · answered by Scientistical Academix 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is it your turn to ask this question? Well done, your parents must be proud.
And did you realize that Emerson was a bisexual agnostic?
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He aligned himself with the Unitarians - most Christians don't call Unitarians Christian at all, but it's up to you. Before the Harvard Divinity School, he described Jesus as a great man, but not God. As a result, he was denounced for atheism, and was not invited back to speak for almost 30 years.
2007-11-23 19:04:36 · answer #5 · answered by Bad Liberal 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The term atheist does not equate to stupidity. No I am not willing to be martyred. I will lie like a living room rug to prevent it.
2007-11-23 19:08:30 · answer #6 · answered by What? Me Worry? 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
i would not become a martyr for a lack of belief, but i would stand up and defend my right to believe that i have the right not to believe. does that make sense? it seems to, but then i've just got back from the pub.
2007-11-23 19:12:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Are you going to martyr an atheist?
2007-11-23 19:11:21 · answer #8 · answered by Heath H 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm more willing to see others "martyred" for their so-called belief.
2007-11-23 19:06:00 · answer #9 · answered by 222 Sexy 5 · 9⤊ 1⤋
Are you willing to condemn everybody in Japan to roast on Satan's BBQ because their traditions are different?
Racism isn't pretty.
2007-11-23 19:13:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋