Martyrdom in other religions

[Mr. Bultitude]

Here I am once again, quoting Athanasius:

A very strong proof of this destruction of death and its conquest by the cross is supplied by a present fact, namely this. All the disciples of Christ despise death; they take the offensive against it and, instead of fearing it, by the sign of the cross and by faith in Christ trample on it as on something dead. ...for men who, before they believe in Christ, think death horrible and are afraid of it, once they are converted despise it so completely that they go eagerly to meet it, and themselves become witnesses of the Savior's resurrection from it.

My question is this: what exactly would you say is the difference between the attitude of the Christian toward death, and that of, say, the Muslim? It's clear there is a difference, but what is it exactly? I have some not-very-well-developed thoughts of my own (ours is hope-driven, theirs is fear-driven). But what prompts my question is the thought of martyrs. Athanasius speaks of people going "eagerly to meet it." Do we not see this of Muslims also? We see this of early Mormon settlers too, if I remember right. Really, all religions have eager martyrs. Yet some find their motivation in the cross, and others don't. But that seems trite and superficial to say. What's the real difference?

Let's expand this to thinking about non-religious causes too. Many people will die for their country, or for a political cause, or their family. What's the difference between their motivations and ours? (Not that their might not be some overlap. I'm sure a lot of us would die for our families, or defending our country. But I'm asking about the view we have of death that empowers us to boldly face it versus the view of secular people.)

 

[Hamalas]

Christian martyrdom: I am willing to die for my faith.

Muslim martyrdom: I am willing to kill you (and even die) for my faith.

 

[hammondjones]

The Muslim martyr: I will merit something by my death.
The Christian martyr: I will enter into my Christ-won inheritance through my death.

 

[jambo]

It's all a matter of reward. If you are a non-Christian then the god you believe in must surely be impressed by giving your life for him and reward you accordingly. In Islam martyrdom is rewarded with dwelling in profuse with all these beautiful virgins.

For the Christian, CT Studd summed it up when he said "If Jesus Christ be God and died for me then no sacrifice can be too great for to make for him."

 

[Pergamum]

The martyred Muslim gets to enjoy all those things in Paradise that he was not allowed on earth, such a wine and girls (their view of heaven shows the devilish origin of their religion). The martyred Christian's chief enjoyment is to be with Jesus.

 

[MW]

The Christian is dead, and alive in Christ, Galatians 2:20. The Mohametan has no personal Saviour to destroy the power of death and sanctify it as a means of life, or to change the nature of life in this world as a living death. Martyrdom is his delusion of escape; whereas for the Christian all death to the world is martyrdom and a crown of the life which he has in Christ.

 

[Mr. Bultitude]

Good answers all. But I've added another paragraph to the original post because I think the discussion is narrower than I intended.

 

[Free Christian]

Good answers all.

I second that, nothing more to add here.

 

[Mushroom]

Musselmen kill and die for a false, devilish hope.

Political devotees kill and die in the hope that their particular system may live on.

Patriots kill and die (some rightly, some wrongly, some under deception) that their nations may live on.

Adherents to false religions die (and sometimes kill) for a false hope in a false god.

Fathers kill and die that their families may live on.

Christians proclaim life and die that their Lord will be glorified, and trust in the unfailing promise that they will enjoy Him forever.

 

[Mr. Bultitude]

Thank you Brad! Excellent post.

 

[Steve Curtis]

A few years ago, I wrote something about this here.