But if some punk on the street puts a gun to my head and says, "denounce Jesus, and I'll let you go," you bet your life I'm going to do what he says because I know that after he let's me go I'll be free to practice my faith and make whatever ammends I think are necessary. Were I to do otherwise, and were I to be killed, I wouldn't be dying for my faith. I'd be dying because of some stupid punk. And that's what these kidnappers were--stupid Islamic punks.
I just turned off FOX in disgust. The story was about how Olaf Wiig thinks it would be a tragedy for the Palestinian people if reporters didn't continue to come to Gaza to tell their story. The new FOX prettyboy, can't recall his name, beams at the camera, smiles, bats his eyes, and says "And what a story it is!" Don't try to tell me that changing the news content wasn't part of the deal and FOX hasn't caved out of fear for the rest of its reporters. Which still makes them no better than CNN carrying water for Saddam Hussein in Iraq. They're all tools now.
If some other race of people or some authoritarian force came to this country and forbid us to practice our religion under pain of death, then it might be worthwhile and noble to die for one's faith.
How about if they just want to alter your behavior, or restrict your movements, or add some new laws, or levy a tax on you?
How much are you willing to give up just so you might not die? If Jesus is on the table, then everything else is.