Posted on 06/22/2006 7:36:40 AM PDT by Pyro7480
That wasn't the only reason he died. He died for the cause of the Catholic Church.
To "bow to some stupid city, say praise allah, " is to do something unspeakably evil, and by my actions encourage others to do so. God forbid that I should do such a thing! The Truth is more important than my remaining in this world. Any act of martyrdom (witness) is a testament to that fact.
How is saying something you don't mean, and going through some gestures, evil? Do you really think God wants us to die for that? If so, then why are there so many different religious beliefs?
I don't think I will ever understand someone dying for a religious belief. Thanks
You don't even know if this guy went to heaven or not.
1) It's 500 years later ... some folks still care.
2) What does it mean, to be dead? I think that, perhaps, your idea of death is rather different from that of the Catholic Church.
500yrs later, and people get divorced left and right, what was accomplished by his death?
True, I can honestly say that I have no idea what really happens after death.
From John Fisher
"The bishop's head was stuck upon a pole on London Bridge, but its ruddy and lifelike appearance excited so much attention that, after a fortnight, it was thrown into the Thames, its place being taken by that of Sir Thomas More, whose martyrdom occurred on July 6."
As you know, human flesh usually starts to decay almost immediately after death. Why do you think his head remained "lifelike" for a fortnight (two weeks)? It was a miracle.
I don't believe in miracles, I think they put something in the water, when they par-boiled his head. Besides, records, back then, were probably as subject to the writers bias, as they are today.
You can see the difference between Christian martyrdom, and Islamic martyrdom. One is based on love and peace, the other is based on selfishness and violence.
What, exactly, did this death accomplish?
His death illustrates the difference between right and wrong, and that one's principals should never be compromised. It was basically a testament to faith.
That's the best way that I can explain it.
Explain it away that way, if you must.
Unfortunately, that truth can never be validated, especially after the person is dead. Why die for something you believe is the truth, when the guy next to you can say, no, that's not the truth, and you can't prove it is....
I don't understand anyone's martyrdom.
The difference between right and wrong, are completely dependent on the individuals involved.
Do you really think God wants us to die, for a belief?
OK, I will...prove the miracle if you can.
It's all just a matter of belief, ours differ....neither of us can prove anything.
No! That is completely false. One would figure that after being on FR for about 7 years, you would have figured that one out.
Logically, it would make no sense for someone to do that, but rather to give up and submit to his adversary, thus betraying everything he believes in and believes is worth fighting for. It really comes down to love, love of something you feel is greater than your own life, and believe that your death to some degree will help to preserve it, or demonstrate it's truth. It is the ultimate act of love and truth for the martyr.
I think the movie, The Chronicles of Narnia demonstrates this very well towards the end, where the 2 knights (one is a rhino) charge headlong into an overwhelming force to save Peter from death. They laid down their lives for their friend because they loved him, because they believed in him.
I believe that God wants me to conduct my actions and beliefs in the way that he outlined though his son, Jesus, and through the scriptures, as I am taught by my Catholic tradition. So, yes, I believe that the Lord would rather have me die for my way of belief in him (that I believe is 100% correct), than to live in denial of him, and therefor submit to his enemy, Satan, the embodiment of evil.
In the end it is a matter of faith, and if one does not have that, they won't understand.
Look, one guy says this is the truth, another says no, this is the truth. Neither one can prove anything. How can this not be dependent upon the individual?
Do you have anyway of proving what you believe, is the truth....without requiring a belief in something else, which cannot be proven?
No, it doesn't hit on the same chord as defending one's family or friends, against harm. That is entirely different than dying because someone said to worship a rock, or something. What a person believes, is inside of them.....what they say, can be anything.
Your tradition teaches you one thing, another's tradition teaches them something else....neither can be proven as right or wrong. You believe God wants you to die for Him, others believe differently...how do you know you are right?....It's a belief, something intangible, while protecting your family from physical harm, is something real. That is the difference I see.
John 15:13
Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
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