|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Summer Wine
Joined: 20 Mar 2005
Location: Next to a River
|
 Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 9:18 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
| Quote: |
Even more closely related to Iraq's suicide bombers is the fascinating description of early Christian martyrdom in Farhad Khosrokhavar's new book, Suicide Bombers. The suicidal recklessness of a large number of early Christians, aimed precisely at bringing about their martyrdom, bewildered and horrified contemporary commentators. But martyrdom was an astonishingly effective propaganda tool designed to inspire awe - and converts. The Greek origin of the word martyr is "witness". Interestingly, it prompted exactly the same sorts of criticism among pagan Romans as today's Islamist militants do in the west: the Christian martyrs were accused of dementia and irrationality. Such was the flood of Christians in pursuit of martyrdom by the third century that the theologians had to step in to declare this thirst for a holy death to be blasphemous.
|
I read this quote, I had read something about it previously in another book. The main point that needs to be said is that early christians were threatened with death if they did not renounce their beliefs. After seeing a number of thier leaders get killed for refusing, some people did feel need to say, that if they were willing to die for thier belief so will we. But it was never as an act of aggression, but rather as a self sacrifice for christ. To serve God even if it means your death. Early Christians in a lot of cases were pacifists. This was not easily understood then or even today.
Todays Muslim Martyrs are in most cases seeking the destruction of others along with themselves. You can't really compare the two, though if you really want to discuss the two, then feel free and we can continue this discussion. Plus, terrorism is the use of fear, terror and death for political reasons. (not accepted as that is) State and Non state terrorism exists. I can argue this more too if you want, though just not at this moment. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
