Sixth, why would the disciples die for a lie? We see in the Gospels that they were basically cowards. Why did these timid lambs suddenly change into the lions of the faith? Yes, people die for what they believe is true, but people do not die for what they know is NOT true. History says all of the disciples died for their faith except John.
Right now there are suicide bombers training to die in the name of Allah: a god that the Christians reject.
These were the direct participants of history, not followers of a text. Again the question is asked, why endure torture for refusing to recant?
Perhaps England does not exist since the British Navy was unwilling to die for it.
“These were the direct participants of history, not followers of a text. Again the question is asked, why endure torture for refusing to recant?”
I dunno, ask the Jews who were tortured by Christians during the Inquisition.
According to them, they *are* dying for a text - namely, the Quran. There are others who have sacrifced themselves in the name of religion: Kamikazis are one. Furthermore there are people who have sacrificed themselves for ideals: Patriots from every nation. There are tons of other examples.