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Are your beliefs strong enough that you would die for them?

(25 Posts)
Whitewavemark2 Wed 20-Apr-22 17:13:45

I’m just watching a programme about Elizabethan art and culture, and people dying for their faith.

I wonder if there is anyone in this modern world who would die for their belief - not just religion, but ideological etc.

I don’t think that I would have the strength to do so. I’m sure that I would repent or whatever the requirement was or is.

Smileless2012 Wed 20-Apr-22 17:15:43

I don't think I would either Whitewavemark. Fight for them yes, but die for them, I don't think so.

volver Wed 20-Apr-22 17:16:41

I think the Ukrainians would die for their belief in their country.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 20-Apr-22 17:26:53

volver

I think the Ukrainians would die for their belief in their country.

That’s true.

Die for your country. I have been watching the soldier from Mariupol - incredible bravery.

Actually I might do that given a very evil opponent.

Anniebach Wed 20-Apr-22 17:30:16

Many, many men from this country died in wars

Whitewavemark2 Wed 20-Apr-22 17:33:08

Anniebach

Many, many men from this country died in wars

Absolutely, and I have been thinking about conscripted armies.

Difficult one that.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 20-Apr-22 17:38:36

The really interesting thing for me is whether there is religious strength in this country that people would be prepared to die for their faith in this country.

I don’t think it would even remotely happen.

VioletSky Wed 20-Apr-22 17:48:03

For a belief? No

For protecting my children from harm? Yes

Blondiescot Wed 20-Apr-22 17:52:09

Anniebach

Many, many men from this country died in wars

Not just men...

Chestnut Wed 20-Apr-22 18:00:25

But when people fight and die for their country they are actually doing it for their children, protecting their future from the aggressor. That is an instinct we all have especially when the child is young.

BlueBelle Wed 20-Apr-22 18:03:35

Many people from ALL countries have died for their country but that’s not the same as there is every chance they also might live
The student in Tianaman Square died for his country as he was pretty sure there would be no other outcome A fighter goes into the fight whether it’s for their country honour or whatever they go in with the belief it’s a 50/50 chance

No I wouldn’t die for my country or any religion or any cause
But I d certainly take my chance for my children or grandchildren

GillT57 Wed 20-Apr-22 18:07:16

Interesting question. If the enemy was literally at my door and threatening my family? Definitely. For a faith? Absolutely not and I find it hard to understand people who have done so historically. Surely your God would understand if you denied him to save your life? And isn't faith within you anyway so whatever you say to the Spanish Inquisition or whoever doesn't matter?

Whitewavemark2 Wed 20-Apr-22 18:09:03

I was just listening to the description of people being burned.

I think that the fear of hell must have been very real.

Germanshepherdsmum Wed 20-Apr-22 18:11:00

I would die for my child but not for my beliefs. I admire those stronger than I am in that regard.

paddyann54 Wed 20-Apr-22 18:15:09

A lot of those wars were unjustified wars Annie it was mainly men with grudges against other men.The ONLY justifiable war in the past 150 years or more was WW11 where fighting Hitler was a necessity,in my opinion .I count Thatchers Falklands war and Blairs Iraq war amongst those .

rafichagran Wed 20-Apr-22 18:16:13

Germanshepherdsmum

I would die for my child but not for my beliefs. I admire those stronger than I am in that regard.

The same.

Baggs Wed 20-Apr-22 18:24:41

Like violetsky, I'd 'lay down my life' for my kids or grandkids but not for a belief. I don't believe anything that strongly and I'm never certain. I doubt or am sceptical about everything except that my life isn't as important as my kids' lives, especially now they're grown up.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 20-Apr-22 18:28:15

I’m the same for the children, and I bet most of us would be the same. Genes though not belief.

varian Wed 20-Apr-22 19:24:34

We are all old and have had most of our lives. I cannot bear to hear of children and young people dying. I would die to save my grandchildren. I think most grandparents would. The grandchildren are entitled to a future.

Oldladynewlife Wed 20-Apr-22 19:33:58

There are still religious fanatics in the world—though often they prefer to see others die for their beliefs. And I think it is interesting to reflect that people routinely accept disease, physical degradation, and death as the price of a fixed faith in a political or economic ideology. People accept homeless encampments, poverty, hunger on a mass scale and all kinds of suffering—even for themselves—believing that capitalism, or Jesus, or liberty demands it.

Allsorts Wed 20-Apr-22 19:41:26

Not for religious beliefs, they are part of me, but I wouldn’t die for them but I would to protect people from invasion and ill treatment, I admire the Ukrainian people, that is true gallantry and very humbling. Those are the people worthy of being called heroes. Better to die free than live in chains.

absent Thu 21-Apr-22 05:58:06

I have no idea until such a choice became a reality.

Antonia Thu 21-Apr-22 11:10:37

Whitewavemark2

I was just listening to the description of people being burned.

I think that the fear of hell must have been very real.

Unfortunately for them, religion was an inbuilt part of their lives. I'm sure that doubt never even occurred to them.

Even so, I think many people of that time would have just shrugged and gone along with the status quo, to avoid such an horrific death.

halfpint1 Thu 21-Apr-22 16:02:21

If you died to defend how does that help. Dying to save
your children may not succeed and then they are alone.
Defend them yes but I would more likely surrender to fight
another day and hopefully so would they.
Dying for anything doesn't make sense to me, defending
does and I did a stint in Armed services.

eazybee Thu 21-Apr-22 18:54:52

I feel sorrow for those who died for their faith, that is, points of doctrine; it seems so trivial now, a 'mere dispute about trifles'.
I believe there is a certain type of person who embraces martyrdom.