Would you die for your faith/position?

Many people throughout history have been murdered for refusing to convert to a certain religion/cult. Even though I may not agree with what a religious person believes, I admire the dignity of the people who have held on to their beliefs in spite of certain death awaiting them.

If a terrorist was going to kill you unless you denounce your god/prophet, would you be willing to die for your faith?

To atheists/non-religious, I ask a similar question; if a terrorist was going to kill you unless you join his religion, would you refuse to convert [and die] or would you convert?

I hope that none of you ever have to make this choice, but this is a hypothetical question. :)

What exactly would joining this person's religion entail?GabuEx

To perform the religion's rituals and live life according to its doctrines (at least until the terrorist lets you go).

[QUOTE="GabuEx"]What exactly would joining this person's religion entail?dracula_16

To perform the religion's rituals and live life according to its doctrines (at least until the terrorist lets you go).

How long (roughly) would that be for?

I admire the dignity of the people who have held on to their beliefs in spite of certain death awaiting them.

dracula_16

Anyways I wouldnt even admire an atheist dying out of dignity even though there is no heavenly selfishness involved in that one, it still is a ridiculous thing to stand for your beliefs when facing death.

For me it's not even a question, I am too much afraid of death to ever accept it consciously even if I was an 80 year old ass with nothing significant to look forward in life.

As an atheist I'd "convert". I'm not going to die over a lack of belief. Unlike theists where they often believe there will be a great punishment for ever expressing disbelief in their religion and great reward for being a martyr, atheists don't really have any reason to not pretend to be religious should they encounter a situation where being religious would be advantageous.

[QUOTE="dracula_16"]

[QUOTE="GabuEx"]What exactly would joining this person's religion entail?RationalAtheist

To perform the religion's rituals and live life according to its doctrines (at least until the terrorist lets you go).

How long (roughly) would that be for?

It takes away from the fun to explain everything. :P

Maybe.

dracula_16

Off-topic: Can you please explain the "extent of one's ignorance" mentioned in your sig's quote?

Off-topic: Can you please explain the "extent of one's ignorance" mentioned in your sig's quote?

ghoklebutter

To save my life, I'd convert. I don't feel martyrdom for atheism as something of a noble cause. I don't have to actually believe the faith to practice it (like a lot of people) so I wouldn't have an issue taking on a faith that I don't believe in (if forced). However, I would definitely try to remove myself from that situation and apostate (and knew I was safe from death).foxhound_fox

For me, being a martyr for a cause doesnt serve any purpose.

Although it could be said that there could be cases where the sacrifice of someone might work as a great help forthose who face the same or for those whose convictions arent as strong to survive after they have converted (not really converted but to survive).

So in essense, soneone's sacrifice may not help others decide to become martyrs too but it may be something that will give courage to people and strength to keep their beliefs even in secret.

There are two ways I can address this question.

Literally, hopefully.  Jesus is to be more important to me than life itself.  At least, I hope I would never deny Christ in any circumstance.  Peter said he too would never deny Christ and did just that the night following.  As such, I will admit that I know not whether I'd keep to the faith unless I was in said circumstance.  I can only hope and pray that I remain faithful in such a situation.

I do not intentionally seek such a literal death, but I do not fear such a thing.  Paul explains my thoughts on the subject quite well in Philippians 1:21-24, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body."

Metephorically, I am to die every day. I am to put to death sin and "kill" my "old self."  I am to die to my old desires and gain the desires of Christ.  Such things as the "American dream," prosperity, and worldly desires to go be given up for the sake of sharing the Gospel, living in holiness, and finding pleasure in God, the things of God, and the gifts of God.  This is not to say I cannot enjoy life, I am simply to enjoy a "different life."