Christian Martrydom... Opinion

Christian Martyrdom

Martyrdom, the cause of death usually for a cause or for one's religious views, can be viewed in two different lights. One, it can be regarded as one of the most noble of all human endeavors. An individual so devoted to a cause that they are willing to give up their life for it, it is an amazing concept. Or, it can be viewed as a reckless, foolish decision. Martyrdom is an extreme concept and should not be viewed as a way to distinguish true Christians, or anything of that sort. An individual should never put religion before the people that truly love and care for them, whether they are Christian or not.

Religion is a way of life. It is a way of life, while you are living. It gives people hope while they are alive, brings people together while they are alive, gives something for people to look forward to while they are alive, but the key words are, while they are alive. Religion is a huge spiritual part of life and everyone has their own views on it. People should not base their whole entire existences, every action and every thought, based on something that is not even proven to exist itself. The martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas are two perfect examples. It is admirable of both of them to stand up for what they believe in and not backing down in their beliefs, even though it meant death for both of them. However, Perpetua brings great distress to her aging father, who says, "have pity on my grey head--have pity on me your father, if I deserve to be called your father, if I have favoured you above all your brothers, if I have raised you to reach this prime of your life. Do not abandon me to be the reproach of men. Think of your brothers, think of your mother and your aunt, think of your child, who will not be able to live once you are gone. Give up your pride! You will destroy all of us! None of us will ever be able to speak freely again if anything happens to you." (Page 244) At this point, Perpetua is aware of the pain her decision is going to cause her family, and yet she still puts God before them. It is one thing to be religious and to be devoted and faithful, but it is a completely different matter when it involves hurting the people that love you most directly. Perpetua knows her family loves her more than anything and she knows that she could be jeopardizing her newborn child's future, yet she still decides to die for God, who she does not even have concrete