The True Martyrs

[Cajun Huguenot]

In the last several years, Muslim extremists have tried very hard to hijack the Christian title of “martyr.” The modern Muslim “martyr” is not a true martyr, but is someone who is murdering as many innocent people as he can, while killing himself in the process.

The modern Muslim “martyr” is a cold-blooded killer who thinks nothing of slaughtering innocent women and children in his attack. His actions are designed to generate terror in the civilian population. The act of Murder/suicide is not martyrdom.

The Greek word “marturia” from which we get the English word martyr,is found 37 times in the New Testament. It is most often translated as “witness” or “testimony.” And in the traditions of the Christian faith, a martyr is one who is put to death for his witness or testimony to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Christian martyr is one who did not attack his enemies, but instead he loved them enough to go to them and tell them about Christ, even when he knew that his witness may (and often did) lead to his own death, at the hands of those he brought the Gospel to.

In the book of Acts we learn of the martyrdom of St. Steven. Steven, the first Christian martyr, was disputing with men who denied Christ and those opposed to the faith were loosing the debate. These men became angry because of what they heard and since they could not defeat Steven’s arguments they killed him instead.


Steven did nothing more than disagree with those who killed him and told them why he disagreed. The early church was outlawed, because the Church declared that Jesus Christ was Lord instead of Caesar. The Christians did not take up arms and attack those who persecuted them. Instead they prayed for those who wronged them, and brought the Gospel to them, even when the price of “witnessing” or giving “testimony” of Christ’s Gospel might mean that they would be arrested, tortured and thrown to wild beasts (in the arena), and/or put to death.

A true martyr is a witness to the Gospel of Christ, who gives his/her greatest witness to the truth of that Gospel, in his/her willingness to be killed by those who hate the Christ and His Gospel.

It is a horrible misuse and distortion of the noble Christian title of “Martyr” to apply the term to someone who willingly murders innocent people because they think differently than he does. Muslim radicals who willingly, and enthusiastically, murder innocent men, women and children, at the same time they blow themselves to bits, are NOT martyrs. These men are bloodthirsty killers, who send themselves to hell by their murder/suicides.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

 

[Friendlyneighbor101]

Thank you for the information

 

[Dale]

Cajun Huguenot,

Yes, self-proclaimed martyrs are the worst kind.

I'm not in the business of defending Moslem scholars, but some of them have condemned the practice of suicide bombing. Islam prohibits suicide.

Cajun Huguenot:
"These men are bloodthirsty killers, who send themselves to hell by their murder/suicides."

I'm sure that is true in many cases. There is another aspect to consider. Many suicide bombers, from what we know of them, are simply young, naive and easily manipulated. I haven't noticed Arafat, Nasrallah or any other Moslem loudmouths sending their own children or grandchildren out to blow themselves up. The whole purpose of their propaganda is to trick someone else into doing it, or sending their kids to do it.

On the Day of Judgment, I have no doubt that God will find that evil was done in suicide bombings. Whether He in His Infinite Wisdom will place more blame on the bombers or more on those who sent them out to do a job they were too cowardly to do themselves, no mortal knows.

 

[ps139]

Has anyone here read the Martyrdoms of Sts Perpetua and Felicity? They were two Christian women martyred in the Roman arenas. The story is just amazing.

 

[Cajun Huguenot]

Has anyone here read the Martyrdoms of Sts Perpetua and Felicity? They were two Christian women martyred in the Roman arenas. The story is just amazing.

Yes, I have read the account of their martyrdom. Every Christian should read about them.

In Christ,
KEnith

 

[WardSmythe]

Cajun Huguenot,

Yes, self-proclaimed martyrs are the worst kind.

I'm not in the business of defending Moslem scholars, but some of them have condemned the practice of suicide bombing. Islam prohibits suicide.

Cajun Huguenot:
"These men are bloodthirsty killers, who send themselves to hell by their murder/suicides."

I'm sure that is true in many cases. There is another aspect to consider. Many suicide bombers, from what we know of them, are simply young, naive and easily manipulated. I haven't noticed Arafat, Nasrallah or any other Moslem loudmouths sending their own children or grandchildren out to blow themselves up. The whole purpose of their propaganda is to trick someone else into doing it, or sending their kids to do it.

On the Day of Judgment, I have no doubt that God will find that evil was done in suicide bombings. Whether He in His Infinite Wisdom will place more blame on the bombers or more on those who sent them out to do a job they were too cowardly to do themselves, no mortal knows.

Are you suggesting there are degress of eternal damnation?

Regardless of where they fit into the food chain, the suicide bombers were/are agents of the Enemy. (Satan)

 

[ps139]

Maybe he is suggesting that there is a chance they would be saved. I.E., if you are brainwashed to do something, along with being brainwashed to think Christ is a fake, perhaps God extends His clemency.

Of course, whether this is possible or not (in one's mind) really depends on your soteriological beliefs. For my part, I will not limit God, so I cannot say it is impossible.

Not that what they do isn't a heinous act of evil - I'm not one of those nuts who calls them "freedom fighters" - I detest that attitude.

Either way, God's perfect mercy and perfect justice will be perfect, we all know that.