So it's better to die, and never be able to express your beliefs, even in secret and maybe bring others to your way of thinking, than it is to bow to some stupid city, say praise allah, and continue on believing as you did? I do not understand martyrdom. God couldn't possibly want someone to die, just because they wouldn't say something, would He?
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.
Why didn't we just surrender to the Nazis and promote democracy in secret when we wasted all those lives? If God doesn't want us to die for our faith, why should my government ask me to die for my nation?
"So it's better to die, and never be able to express your beliefs, even in secret and maybe bring others to your way of thinking, than it is to bow to some stupid city, say praise allah, and continue on believing as you did?"
What's the point of faith, if you are unwilling to embrace it fully? I will die before I ever, even in appearance only, worship the false god allah the the man Muhammed. God required His only Son to lay down His life, there is a chance He will require the same of others.